Mallorca vs Real Betis

24/2- It might be one of the most evenly contested match this week as Mallorca play hosts to Real Betis. Both teams have moved a little away from the relegation zone and are trying to establish themselves in a comfort zone. While Mallorca are placed 11^th on the points table, Real Betis are on the 14^th spot but the difference in points between the two teams is just one. While Mallorca have been struggling to find the winning goal and have drawn the last three matches played Real Betis would go into this match with a positive frame of mind as they beat the league leaders real Madrid at home last week. The last time both these teams took on each other was earlier this season when Real Betis blanked out Malloca 3-0 in a home tie. The overall head to head record however is tilted in Mallorca’s favour as they have won 9 of the 19 matches while Real Betis have won just 8.

The home team would be hoping to make the most of the crowd support and get a full three points of this match especially after they have not been able to get more than a point in the last three matches. The problem for them has been that they have not been able to create chances but are heavily relying on mistakes from the opposition. Guiza has been the premiere striker and if he can deliver Mallorca would just get the edge over their competitors.

Real Betis on the other hand have come a long way from being in the relegation zone to a team that beat the league leaders. They would be oozing with confidence and would be raring to go against Mallorca and a win here would do a world of good to the side. They do have the potential but now it is how well they use it.

Prediction: 1-2, Real betis win

Deportivo La Coruna vs Espanyol

24/2- Deportivo La Coruna are having a shocker of a season, the side was never expected to win the Spanish title but no one would have thought of the side being relegated but due to a highly disappointing season Deportivo find themselves on the 18^th position and also face the threat of being relegated. In an attempt to survive and continue their run in the top division they play hosts to Espanyol this week. Both teams are in equally bad form and enter this match after losing their last week matches. Espanyol are on the 5^th spot and the biggest reason for such a high spot is their performance in the beginning of the season which was absolutely great. Both teams had met earlier this season and Espanyol won the match while playing at home. But a look at the overall record between both the sides suggests a different story and Deportivo are the dominant side by far but the football they have displayed this season is way off their potential and hence the record might be just the glory of the past and might not have any impact on the match.

Both teams are desperately searching for points and that would make the contest even more interesting. Espanyol lost the last match they played against Sevilla at home and that would have dented their confidence to an extent but the strong point of their game this season has been their performance away from home and that is something they would like to capitalize on in this match.

Deportivo on the other hand have been the worst performing team when it comes to the performance at home this season and the fans would be hoping that their team can do something to change that this time.

Prediction: 0-2, Espanyol win

Sevilla vs Real Zaragoza

23/2- Sevilla seem to have found the right combination in the last four matches and they have managed to win 3 while they had to settle for a draw against Barcelona a couple of weeks ago. They have managed to occupy the sixth spot and would want to better their performance as the season is moving towards its ending stages. In an attempt to probably make it for the European competitions next year they play hosts to Real Zaragoza this week. While the previous encounter between the two sides, earlier this season went in favour of Real Zaragoza, playing at home the overall record between the teams is even as both have won 8 matches of the 21 played between the sides in the past 15 years. The biggest concern for the visiting team will be their away form this season, though Zaragoza is on the 10^th spot as per the points it is the second worst performing team away from home with just a single victory and 7 losses.

Sevilla go into this match as a confident unit after they were able to beat Espanyol 2-4 in an away tie last week. Also the combination of Fabiano and Kanoute has worked tremendously well for them in the front. They are one of the best attacking sides in Laliga and are second in the number of goals scored this season only after the leaders, Real Madrid. They would have to concentrate on their defence but looking at their home record this season there would not be much to worry about for them.

Real Zaragoza on the other hand would be desperate for some points as they have not got any in the last two matches which they lost. Their last week’s home loss to Barcelona would have been highly disappointing and the side will try and get a point of this tie at least.

Prediction: 2-1, Sevilla win

Blackburn vs Bolton

24/2- Blackburn have slipped out of the contention for the sixth spot for European championships in the last 4 weeks as they have lost one match while other three have been draws and currently on the 8^th spot they are 6 points behind the teams fighting it out. Bolton on the other hand are going through a lean phase as well and would have to beware of the relegation zone as they are just three points above the relegation teams. The last time both the teams had clashed Blackburn were able to win 1-2 in an away tie and they should aptly carry that confidence as they take on the same opponents at home. The overall record between the two teams is quite balanced however as Blackburn has won on 6 occasions while Bolton have managed 5 victories in the 19 matches played between the two sides. 

Blackburn would surely have the home advantage and they would want to make it count and get all the three points of this match. They would be disappointed after the loss last week but against the league leaders, Arsenal, there was little that the team could have done playing away from home but now is the time to perform for them and claw their way back in the last 12 matches. Santa Cruz has been their most prolific scorer and expectations would be high when takes on the field and the contribution from McCarthy and company would also be quite significant in the front end of the field.

Bolton on the other hand would be prepared for a tough match as they continue to struggle and find a place in the premiership for the next season. Their last match was a disappointing loss to Portsmouth in a home tie and to cover up for that they would have to put up an exemplary performance this match.

Prediction: 0-0,  draw

Reading vs Aston Villa

24/2- While Reading are trying to get a point of a match as they have lost 7 matches in a row and are in the relegation zone their opponents this week, Aston Villa, would be fighting to maintain their spot in the top six on the points table and qualify for the European championships next year. Reading were in a good position for the major part of the first half of this season but from the end of the first half of the season they are experiencing a defeat marathon which has pushed them in the relegation zone. Aston Villa on the other hand did experience hick up in the middle of the season but they have recovered well to maintain their spot in the top 6 though they are closely chased by Manchester City and are ahead only on the basis of goal difference.

Aston Villa would be confident after they managed to thrash Newcastle in a home tie last week and were able to finish with a 4-1 win. Also adding to their confidence will be the fact that they were able to beat Reading 3-1 in the match earlier this season. Carew has taken up the responsibility of scoring goals in the absence of Agbonlahor, as the striker is out due to a hamstring injury. A big win here could possibly put Villa a couple of spots higher on the points table.

Reading would be desperate to score some points while playing at home but for a side like theirs which is low on confidence and would be under pressure of being relegated it would be difficult to keep out the attack coming from Aston Villa’s end. Another loss could mean that the side would be getting into deeper trouble and hence they would have to pull out something from thin air and get a non losing result from this match.

Prediction: 0-1, Aston Villa win

Portsmouth vs Sunderland

23/2- After a winning moment last week Portsmouth now gear up to take on Sunderland in a home tie in an attempt to try and reach out for a spot in next year’s European championships. Currently on the ninth position they are 6 points away from the 6^th position, which can make them eligible for Europe next year. They have been fabulous while playing away from home but they have been way disappointing in the matches at home and this weekend get a good chance to improve their record. The visitors on the other hand are placed 14^th on the points table have risen out of the relegation after some strong performances in the last few weeks but Sunderland’s form away from home can be simply defined as dreadful as they have not won a single match but lost 11 of the 13 matches played away from home this season. However in a match earlier this season Sunderland had defeated Portsmouth in a home tie and that would be a ray of hope for the visitors as the take on the same team in an away tie.

Portsmouth come into this match after two very strong performances, a home draw against Chelsea a couple of weeks ago and an away win against Bolton last week. In Mwaruwari the home team possess a good striker and his contribution towards the side has to be significant if they hope to gain a full three points of this tie.

Sunderland on the other hand have been following a pattern for the last 6 matches where they have won a match and lost the next one and since they have won their last match they would be careful and avoid defeat this week. Sunderland would be looking to at least get a point from this away tie and try and ensure that they can consolidate themselves outside the danger zone.

Prediction: 2-1, Portsmouth win

Valencia vs Recreativo Huelva

23/2- Valencia have maintained their place in the top half of the table after some performances in the second half of the season which stopped their slip down the table but their performance at home is still quite dismal and they would be looking to set the record straight when they take on Recreativo Huelva at home this week. Currently on the 9^th spot the home team is just a point adrift of the 8^th placed Racing Santander, they do have the time to recover some places and end the season on a high. The visitors however have found some form in the last two matches and on that basis have been able to climb up to the 15^th spot and have avoided relegation probably for the time being but the problem is that the gaps in the bottom half are two small to predict. The last time both teams met Valencia were the winners by a 0-1 score line in an away tie and hence would have a psychological edge over their opponents.

Valencia get into this game after below par performances in the last 10 games as they managed to win just two while have been defeated 4 times. In their last match against Getafe they were just able to match a tame draw. The home crowd will be hoping that their team can deliver without the striking power of Morientes, who is out due to injury.

Recreativo Huelva go into this match on a high, not only they have won their last two matches but have also risen 4 points above the relegation zone and can take a sigh of relief for now. In the last two matches they have shown tremendous application and would be hoping to continue this week. They would try and capitalise on the fact that their opponents have not done anything special playing at home this season.

Prediction: 1-1,draw

Newcastle vs Manchester United

23/2- Manchester United are a team on a mission and they received a huge setback when they were beaten 1-2 by city rivals, Manchester City last week. A draw and a loss in the last two matches has given away a five point advantage to the league leaders Arsenal and Man U would be in no mood to compromise as they travel to take on the 13^th placed Newcastle United. Newcastle have been in no good form either and enter this match after a loss and a draw in the last two matches as well but their performance in the last 10 matches is n where near to Man U’s. The last time both teams met was at Old Trafford where the home team, Man U blanked out the visitors 6-0 and they will be looking to do the same this time as well. A look at the overall record between the two sides would suggest that Man U have always been better off against Newcastle and of the 29 matches between the sides in the last 15 years they have managed to win on 17 times while there have been 9 draws, which leaves Newcastle with just 3 wins.

Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney will be desperate to put their side on the score sheet as early as possible and more than that they would like to have a convincing victory in order to bring back the lost confidence. The players would also keep a close on the match involving Arsenal earlier as it would be a fight to finish between both the sides this time.

Newcastle on the other hand would hope to find some form at home and though more focus would be on the way they defend but Martins or Viduka could be the players who could make the difference and get the side some crucial points.

Prediction: 1-1, draw

Wigan vs Derby County

23/2- Wigan can be said to be the most unpredictable team in the league this year, they started of decently but then were a regular part of the relegation zone for the remaining part of the first half of the competition. They started winning after the break and got themselves out of the relegation zone after a string of decent outings and as soon as the fans started thinking that they are safe the club slips again towards the danger zone. They are currently on the 16^th position just a point and a couple of spots above the relegation zone and will have to make the most of their home tie against the bottom placed Derby County this week. Both teams enter the match after facing defeats last week but Wigan are on a better position and have a better form as they have won 4 of the last 10 matches and losing as many whereas Derby have lost 7 of their 10 matches and won non. Also Wigan would have an edge over Derby as they defeated Derby in an away tie earlier this season.

After a disappointing loss last week against Sunderland, away from home was a huge setback to the Wigan’s chances of getting away from the bottom 5 of the table. But while playing at home with the crowd support, Wigan have been a decent team and would be disappointed if they cannot get all the three points against a side like Derby. Bent would be the player the home fans would expect to score as he is the side’s leading scorer this season.

Derby on the other hand have nothing to lose and if they can go all out in these remaining matches they might leave a small impact on the other teams but they are most definitely out of the league for the next season.

Prediction: 2-0, Wigan win

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough

23/2- Liverpool are having a comparatively disappointing season this time as they are far away from the top teams and are trying to fight it out for a spot in next year’s European competitions. Currently on the 5^th spot on the points table, the side seems to have lost the winning habit and have not been able to do anything significant in the last 10 matches played. Liverpool have won just three matches while they have lost a couple of matches while 5 ended as draws. One major reason for their low ranking is their performance at home, which has been nothing but disappointing. They get a chance this week to try and improve on the record at home and also try and ensure a place in next year’s European matches as they take on Middlesbrough at home this week. Though on the twelfth spot the visitors are in decent form as they have won 4 of their last ten matches while have been defeated thrice. The previous encounter between the sides earlier this season had produced a 1-1 result while Liverpool had travelled to Middlesbrough.

The home side would be expected to deliver on field and the crowd support will be tremendous. They managed to get a draw against a team of the calibre of Chelsea last week, playing away from home would suggest that the players are in decent nick but it is just that finishing ability which is missing. In the absence of Torres it would be left to Gerrard to deliver and the crowd would be hoping that their ever dependable does not let them down this time.

Middlesbrough whereas are trying to sneak through to the top half of the table and after a win last week against Fulham they would like to put up a fight against Liverpool and get some points from this away tie.

Prediction: 1-0, Liverpool win

« Previous Page — Next Page »