Welcome back to Last Word on Football’s previews and predictions for La Liga. We have reached the 30th round of matches. Leaders Barcelona head to Sevilla in the pick of the games.
Real Madrid head to the Anoeta to face Real Sociedad, while Atletico Madrid host Real Valladolid. Elsewhere, Granada and Villarreal meet for the first time since their 4-4 draw back in August and there is a vital clash in the relegation battle as Mallorca take on Leganes.
La Liga Predictions
Leaders Barcelona Take on Sevilla
Barcelona travel to the Roman Sanchez Pizjuan to take on Sevilla. Quique Setien’s side are looking to maintain top spot ahead of Real Madrid. The Catalonian giants will head to Sevilla seeking an eighth win in nine games.
However, Barcelona will face a stern examination from Julen Lopetegui’s improving Sevilla side. They are unbeaten six matches collecting twelve points in that run. Sevilla also have very faint hopes of entering the title race and victory over the leaders will ignite real belief. However, the main is securing Champions League football and they are being chased by several sides below. Victory will cement their top-four position ahead of their rivals.
Games like this are where we see Lionel Messi shine. Barcelona’s talisman is one goal away from 700 career goals for Barcelona. He also enjoys playing Sevilla so Julen Lopetegui’s side will have to keep him quiet.
Sevilla possess their own threat; Messi’s Argentine compatriot Lucas Ocampos has been Sevilla’s star man this season. The winger has eleven league goals which is his best goal return and he will look to exploit the space Barcelona leave behind. Sevilla will also be hoping to exploit Barcelona’s inconsistencies away from home. Setien’s side have only won six of their fourteen away games.
A key game for both sides in a match renowned for entertainment and quality football.
A Vital Clash in the Relegation Battle as Mallorca and Leganes Lock Horns
Mallorca welcome Leganes to Son Moix Stadium knowing victory could take them out of the relegation zone. Both sides come into this game on the back of defeats and with plenty at stake, neither side can afford defeat here.
Mallorca have done their best work at home this season collecting 20 of their 25 points on their own patch. They will see this match as a perfect opportunity to maintain their excellent record at home. However, Mallorca have struggled for form since the season resumed losing both their matches.
Leganes head to Mallorca in desperate need of a good result having dropped to the bottom of the table in midweek. Javier Aguirre’s team are running out of games and this is simply a must-win for his team. However, they are going to need to arrest their rotten away form. They have won just once on their travels this campaign and that must improve in the final eight games.
There is further incentive for Leganes who can climb above Mallorca with victory. A game with so much riding on it for all the sides involved in the La Liga relegation battle.
LWOF’s La Liga Predictions
Granada vs Villarreal
Two sides in good form clash; Granada are motoring nicely and are six unbeaten which is their best run of the season. Villarreal have won their last two games and have kept clean sheets in both. Both teams are pushing for European football. This could be another entertaining game between the two sides who played out a 4-4 draw back in August.
Granada 2-1 Villarreal
Mallorca vs Leganes
A game neither side dare not lose. Mallorca have lost three of their last four, Leganes have won just once in their last seven.
Mallorca 1-0 Leganes
Sevilla vs Barcelona
A key game for both sides. Sevilla are unbeaten in six, Barcelona are hunting an eighth win in nine games.
Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis
The home side are unbeaten in four but must win to keep their hopes of finishing in the European places alive. Real Betis are enduring a difficult campaign and their inconsistent form throughout the campaign highlights this. Rubi’s team have won just once in their last nine.
Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Real Betis
Atletico Madrid vs Valladolid
Atletico Madrid are fresh off collecting their biggest win of the season. They are six unbeaten. Valladolid are also showing improvements having lost just once in their last four.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Valladolid
Espanyol vs Levante
Its been a good week so far Espanyol collecting four points from their two matches and have not conceded a goal. Levante have drawn their last three.
Espanyol 0-0 Levante
Getafe vs Eibar
An important game for both sides. Getafe are winless in three and their poor form saw them slip out the Champions League places. Eibar played well in midweek but like Getafe, are also winless in three matches.
Getafe 2-0 Eibar
Celta Vigo vs Alaves
A must-win game for Celta Vigo. Oscar Garcia’s side need the points having not won in four games. They find themselves hovering nervously above the bottom three. Alaves are fresh off a terrific derby win against Real Sociedad
Celta Vigo 1-0 Alaves
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid
Real Sociedad are struggling for form. The San Sebastian side are winless in three and are struggling to hit top gear. In contrast, Real Madrid have found their form winning their last two, scoring six goals.
Real Sociedad 1-3 Real Madrid
Valencia vs Osasuna
Two sides need to respond from heavy defeats clash. Valencia were thumped by Real Madrid in the second half, Osasuna suffered their heaviest home defeat of the season to Atletico Madrid. This is a chance for one side to get back on the winning trail.
Valencia 2-0 Osasuna
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