Deportivo - Espanyol
Round 25 starting with maybe not the most entertaining game, but for sure an interesting one. Depor have underperformed for a while now, and is in real danger to go down this season, while Espanyol have had a disappointing season after the season they had last year.
I don’t really know what to expect in this game from Deportivo, but I don’t see too many risks and too many goals in this game. It will be hard to break down the Espanyol defense for a team without a win since december. This week Deportivo signed the veteran Sulley Muntari, so this could potentially be his debut.
Deportivo will be without Carles Gil, Raul Albentosa, Fede Valverde and Zakkaria Bakkali in this game. Sidnei is back in defense. Espanyol will have everyone ready for this battle.
If I had to predict something from this game I would probably have got a draw, and maybe a 1-1?
Celta Vigo - Eibar
If the first game this round maybe it’s not the most attractive one, this could potentially be an entertaining one. Two lovely attacking sides this season with Iago Aspas and Maxi Gómez in great form. Eibar played a really good match against Barcelona last weekend, but couldn’t score. I see end to end stuff in this match, and I hope the goals are coming here early Saturday.
Luckily for us nobody is missing for Celta Vigo, while Eibar are only missing Sergi Enrich with his long term injury, Fran Rico and Fabián Orellana with suspension. José Luis Mendillibar will also be banned for this game because of his reaction last weekend against Barcelona.
Celta will be favorites here for me, but I can also see goals coming from Eibar. 3-2?
Real Madrid - Alavés
First of December -> 24th of February. Real Madrid 18 points, Alavés 22 (!). The turnaround after Abelardo came in for Alavés is maybe the most impressive one this season. Despite Alavés’ great form, I can’t see Alavés getting anything from here. Real Madrid is starting to look better now, and had a crazy game against Real Betis last weekend, winning 5-3!
Unfortunately for Real Madrid there is some problems right now before the return leg of the Champions League against PSG. Marcelo is injured, Toni Kroos is injured, and Luka Modrić is also injured and in doubt for the PSG-game. Sergio Ramos will be suspended this game after a new yellow card against Leganés. For the visitors Munir El Haddadi in absolute great form will be out with suspension, and maybe a tarjeta forzada I guess.
I think this will be a ok match for Real Madrid, and maybe 3-0? Even though we can’t underestimate Alavés’ great form, and that they have had good performances away to teams like Valencia, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona the last few weeks.
Leganés - Las Palmas
As predicted, but most of all sadly, Jonathan Viera left Las Palmas for China in a very good deal for all parts. It will be very hard now for Las Palmas to avoid relegation without their lovely star player, but things have at least looked a bit better the last few games under Paco Jémez. In this game they will play against a side very impressive this season, and it will not be easy for the visitors.
Leganés will miss Brašanac and Szymanowski in this game. Las Palmas will be without Pedro Bigas, Emenike and Momo. Not the biggest absences for any of the sides. The biggest question is how Las Palmas will look like without Jonathan Viera.
I don’t see many goals here to be honest. Leganés has been very solid in defense this season, despite some goals against the last few weeks, but Las Palmas without Jonathan Viera will be a weak side I am afraid of. Maybe a 1-1 or 1-0 to Leganés?
Barcelona - Girona
Another Catalan-derby between two very impressive teams this season. Barcelona won against Eibar at Ipurua, while Leganés impressively won 3-0 at home against Leganés last Friday. This will without a doubt be David against Goliat, but we have already seen Girona taking points twice against Atlético this season, and winning against Real Madrid, so maybe?
Luckily for the viewers it seems like that there is no injuries in this game, and this will probably be the biggest game of the season for Girona. They have had a dream season, and will try to surprise yet again. I don’t see Barcelona winning that easily, but maybe a comfortable 2-0 win in this game.
Bets this weekend
Celta Vigo - Eibar, Over 2.5 goals @ 1.95 (Tonybet) 7 units
Valencia - Real Sociedad Over 2.5 goals+btts @ 1.80 (Bet365) 7 units
Good call on Deportivo - Espanyol. I was a bit more optimistic having it as X&BTTS