Two rounds left for this season's Primera Division and the Spanish Champion of 2010 is still unknown. Barca have the lead but tonight they might have a difficult job against Sevilla, away from home.

Getafe – Malaga

Getafe are in 6th place on 52 points. They had problems with scoring goals last season. Moreover, the departure of strikers Uche and Esteban Granero has left coach Michel short of striking options. But there is still Roberto Soldado, the former Real Madrid striker, and Getafe scored 53 goals in 36 rounds this season. The hosts drew 1-1 with Sporting Gijon at home in midweek. They will hope to be aggressive enough to create and profit from their chances today.

The commitment of the Malaga players to the team gets the support of the fans behind them, even in times of struggle. Malaga is weaker this season after the exit of Eliseu, Lolo, Duda and Goitia and their replacement with loan and cheap signings. They are actually in 16th position, only one point over the relegation zone. It is definitely interesting viewing to see how Los Boquerones develop this season. They are one of the newest looking sides.
Both teams need to win. I expect over 2,5 goals.




Sporting Gijon – Atletico Madrid

Sporting had a great start to the season, but they have won only one game from their last ten. The hosts drew 1-1 with Malaga and after that drew also 1-1 in Gijon. Other sides in the top division now know what to expect from them. The key to the game against Atletico is to play very well in defence, because both teams will have some chances. Gijon want to retain their Primera Division status at the season's end.

Los Colchoneros are still the only team to defeat Barca in the actual league season after winning against FC Barcelona 2-1 at Vicente Calderon. This win was very vital for them but their performances haven’t been consistent. That is the main reason why the are in 9th place at the end of the season. They defeated Valladolid 3-1 at Vicente Calderon in midweek. Atletico are going to be a very intense opponent today.
I will try home win. Another good choice is over 2,5 goals.

Valladolid – Racing Santander

Valladolid will be hoping to break out of the bottom three. The hosts have only 33 points after 36 matches. After a poor attacking show last season, Valladolid signed four forwards in the summer. But the result is that they have scored only 35 times in 36 rounds. Another weakness is between the posts. Last season's hero Sergio Asenjo has left for Atletico and neither of his replacements, Villar and Fabricio, are as good. They have conceded 57 goals.

Santander are in 17th position with 36 points. It’s been all change at El Sardinero for Racing. They lost important players from all over the pitch in the summer. If they finish over the relegation zone, it will be successful season. The team has talent but seems to lack direction.
No bet or a small bet on a draw.




FC Sevilla – FC Barcelona

Sevilla are in 4th place behind Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia. They hammered Racing Santander 5-1 away from home in the 36th round. The home players believe that they will be successful in this important match against Barca. Sevilla's home ground is intimidating for visiting teams. Every team will clearly have a tough time when they go to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and Sevilla’s passionate fanbase means their home form is strong. The priority is the Champions League spot.

Barca stay in 1st place after they beat Tenerife 4-1. Barcelona’s midfield and forward lines play a more highly pressing style to regain possession and play possession football to keep the ball away from the opposition. When a team wins every competition they enter, the tendency is to want to be the same team the next season. The visitors were knocked out from CL and from Copa del Rey but they definitely want La Liga title again. Barca will go to this game with the same mentality as always, looking to attack, creating chances and trying to win.
It will be offensive football and more goals. Over 2,5 goals. Both teams to score.




Tenerife – Almeria

Tenerife secured promotion after seven seasons in the Segunda Division. Nino and Alfaro led the second best attack in Liga Adelante with a combined forty-nine of the seventy-nine goals Tenerife scored. Also in favor of Tenerife was the relative constancy of the starting eleven. But they have problems in Primera Divison. They are actually in 18th position and in the relegation zone and have scored only 38 times.

Almeria lie in 13th place in the table on 41 points after recording ten wins, eleven draws and fifteen defeats. They aren’t in good form and won only one game from their last six. The visitors are one of the teams who have problems in front of goal. The main objective for them is to ensure their top flight status without relegation worries.
It will be very important match for the hosts. I think Tenerife should narrowly win.




Villarreal – Valencia

Villarreal are hoping for their sixteenth La Liga victory today. The hosts are playing better as they did at the beginning of the season. They have great players especially in the offense. In this season, a lot of pressure is now on the shoulders of Santi Cazorla, Rossi, and Godin, a young promising spine. Their main aim will be to qualify for the Europa League. The hosts prefer an attractive style of play and they want all three points today.

Valencia had a good start to the season in all competitions. Los Che are actually in 3rd place in Primera Division and suffered eight defeats. The retention of their best players David Villa, David Silva, Juan Mata and Joaquin was the key factor before the start of the actual season. David Villa is still one of the best strikers in the world. Valencia are 8 points ahead of Sevilla and will definitely finish the league in 3rd place.
Home win. Both teams to score. Over 2,5 goals.

Xerez – Real Zaragoza

Xerez had a difficult start to the season and actually have only 30 points. Moreover, the visitors scored only 34 goals and conceded 63. The performances of the players loaned to Los Xerecistas were the source of their Primera season. Some of these players went down with an injury and Xerez are still in 20th place. They will end in the relegation zone.

Zaragoza believe that they will be able to use the mistakes of their rivals who are 10 points behind them in the standings. Real had their heads up after returning to the top flight at the first attempt. But things aren't going as they expected. The visitors have only 40 points in the table. They play much better at home, where they picked up most of the points (26). Zaragoza beat Espanyol 1-0 at home in their last league game.
No bet for me.




Espanyol – Osasuna

Espanyol go into this match with ten wins, eleven draws and fifteen defeats. They were defeated 1-0 by Zaragoza in their last away game and they still have problems in front of goal. Los Perequitos netted only 27 goals in 36 matches. Before the season, Espanyol looked like a team who could make a strong impression after adding some good players to their already talented squad.

Osasuna beat Deportivo 3-1 at home in the 36th round. Their main goal was to ensure their Primera Division status but they must score more goals to stay away from relegation next season. Masoud and Iranian international Nekounam will have to take more responsibility with passing distribution to the forwards. The defence was the solid unit they were a year ago.
Home win but only small stakes.




Deportivo La Coruna – Mallorca

Deportivo started this season very well and they are actually in mid-table with 44 points. The hosts will be looking for their thirteenth win today. Their problem is that a lack of funds means new arrivals at Depor are usually on loan or free transfers, while some key players departed in the summer. However, coach Lotina has built a solid, consistent team over the last few years.

In the recent season, Mallorca have played like a team that finished with a flurry and fought their way into ninth place at the end of the campaign last season. They play very well and are in 5th place with 59 points . They have won fourteen matches from eighteen at ONO Estadi with the impressive score of 40:15 and are the biggest surprise of the league. Another key for Mallorca to maintain their winning mentality is the stability of the goalkeeper position. On the other hand, their away form isn’t so impressive. They have picked up only 16 points away from home.
Mallorca needs more the victory – I will try away win.




Real Madrid – Athletic Bilbao

Real go into this match with thirty wins, two draws and four defeats. Madrid definitely want to win back the Liga title. They are actually one point behind their big rivals FC Barcelona. Merengues won 4-1 over Mallorca away from home in midweek. Real played in this match as a team and have many goal chances. They will be highly motivated for the game against Atletic. They want to exert maximum pressure on their opponents and take all three points.

Athletic still put their faith in a Basque-born squad which fights for the cause. Bilbao stay in 8th position after they drew with Malaga 1-1  in midweek. They will try to get at least one point against Real but it will be very hard task. Coach Caparros will look to get as much as he can out of his team this season, as he did so successfully last year when reaching the Copa Del Rey final. There is real talent in Athletic’s squad.
Convincing home victory – home win with -1.5 hcp. Real to keep a clean sheet.