Espanyol vs Mallorca

16/3- After a disappointment against the league leaders last week Espanyol return home and this week they prepare to play hosts to Mallorca. While Espanyol are played 7^th on the points table their visiting opponents are 4 places behind them at the 11^th spot and both teams have a different style of playing as well. While most matches played by Espanyol result in a win or a loss, Mallorca are a team that has managed high number of draws this season. The data shows that Espanyol can be a highly inconsistent side while Mallorca can be relied upon as consistent performers. The last match between the two sides that took place earlier this season ended as a 2-2 draw and also the overall record shows that the teams have been on par with their performances. Out of the 21 matches played between the sides each side has managed to win 9 games while the remaining three have been draws.

Espanyol’s recent form has not been that impressive and out of the last 10 matches they have lost 7 times while have managed to win on 3 occasions only. Also with the dipping performances they are losing out on the position they gained on the points table after their efforts in the first half of the season. They would have to revive their form is they wish to score some important points in this tie or else they stand a good chance of losing further on their current position.

Mallorca on the other hand would be on a high as they managed a 7-1 victory over Recreativo Huelva last week and they would carry the confidence into this match. They have been strong defensively and have lost only a single match in the last 10 while there have been 7 draws and 2 victories for the side.

Prediction: 1-1, draw.

Valencia vs Sevilla

15/3- Valencia have been the most unpredictable team in the Spanish competition and this team placed on the 10^th position gets ready to take on the sixth placed Sevilla this weekend. Valencia would be playing at home but looking at their record at home this season it can be said that they are on the wrong end as they have been the worst team when it comes to performances while playing at home. While Sevilla are fighting for the 4^th spot on the points table and a creditable finish this season, Valencia would be hoping to finish the season in the top half of the table. In their last match played earlier this season Sevilla were able to beat Valencia 3-0 while playing at home and hence they might hold a slight advantage over their opponents as they get into this match. However the overall record between both the sides in the past 15 years suggests that Valencia, traditionally has been the stronger team and of the 23 matches played they have managed to win 13 matches while there have been 4 draws.

Valencia have not been in the best of forms over the last ten matches and their record in recent performances can be considered to be below average. In the last 10 matches the side has played they have been able to win only twice while they have lost 4 and drawn 4. They come into this match after they were held to a 1-1 draw last week by a lower ranked Deportivo La Coruna in a home tie.

Sevilla on the other hand have been in great form and have managed to win 6 of the last 10 matches played and have lost just thrice. They come into the match after they were able to beat Levante while playing at home last week and would like to continue their winning performance.

Prediction: 1-2, Sevilla win

Real Betis vs Athletic Club Bilbao

15/3- In an almost even contest 15^th placed Real Betis get prepared to take on 13^th placed Athletic Club Bilbao in a home tie. With both these sides separated by a single point and two places they also look to be in almost identical form.  Real Betis might just hold the advantage playing at home as they have managed to win the last two matches they played at home while one was a 4-0 drubbing of Murcia the other was a surprise 2-1 win over the league leaders, Real Madrid. Hence it will be difficult for the visiting Athletic Club Bilbao to beat Real Betis in this home tie. Also looking at the last match played between the two sides which was earlier this season it is evident that the contest will be closely fought one as the last match also ended in 0-0 draw. However in the overall head to head Real Betis do hold a definitive advantage as of the last 25 matches played they have won 8 times while Athletic Club Bilbao has managed just 5 victories.

Real Betis come back home after losing their last match against Racing Santander playing away from home and would be hoping to recover some lost points. They are a side that has done well playing at home in the recent past and have come out of relegation with a lot of grit and should do well again playing at home. Schmidt and Pavone would make the big difference to this side and their contribution would be very crucial.

Athletic Club Bilbao on the other hand enter this match on a comparatively positive note as they were able to win their last match which was played against Valladolid last week. Though their away form has been fairly good it would be an uphill task beating Real Betis at this point of time while they are playing at home.

Prediction: 1-0, Real Betis win

Recreativo Huelva vs Murcia

15/3- In a classic bottom of the table clash Recreativo placed on the 18^th position play hosts to the team lying on the second last position on the points table, Murcia. Though these sides are separated by a single position the gap between them is 6 points which proves that the sides have not performed equally bad and Recreativo do have a realistic chance of making it out of the relegation zone as well. The home team is just a couple of points behind the team ahead of them and a win here can help them get out of the relegation position as well. Both these teams have faced each other only once before and that was earlier this season in which Murcia were able to defeat their opponents 1-0 while playing at home. Looking at the current form of the teams however Recreativo seems to hold a better chance of ending on the positive side of this match as they have won twice and lost just 5 times in the last 10 matches which is better than the record their opponents possess. Murcia have managed only one victory along with their 8 losses in their last 10 matches.

Recreativo come into this match after a 7-1 defeat against Mallorca in the away tie they played last week. They would want to use the home advantage and make the most of this tie and would want to try and ensure that they can move out of the relegation zone before it is too late. Since there are no injury worries for the team they would want to go full fledge in this match and players like Martins would have to make a huge contribution to the team’s efforts.

Murcia on the other hand would want to make the last attempt to probably survive in the top league for the next year as well.

Prediction: 2-0, Recreativo win

Depotivo La Coruna vs Real Madrid

15/3- Though out of the Champions League, Real Madrid are still in control of the La liga as they enjoy a 8 point lead over Barcelona and in an attempt to revive their winning form they travel to take on the 16^th placed Deportivo La Coruna, in an away tie. While the visitors are comfortable on the top of the table, Deportivo are just a couple of points away from the relegation zone. In the last match played between the sides Real Madrid won the home game with the score sheet reading 3-1. Also the overall record of Real Madrid is better while playing against Deportivo La Coruna as they have won 12 of the 29 matches played between the sides in the last 15 years while Deportiva La Coruna have managed to win just 10 matches. Deportivo are playing at home but considering their home form this season they would be ion a disadvantage rather than holding a home conditions advantage. Also Real Madrid are the best performing team in La liga while travelling and hence this would work in their favour.

After weeks of disappointment in La liga and the Champions League, Real Madrid returned to winning ways in their last match played against Espanyol at home and would be hoping to take that confidence into this match. In Raul and Ruud Van Nistelrooy they have two of the best strikers in the world. A win here can open up a 11 point gap between them and the second placed team and the La liga crown would most definitely be retained.

Deportivo La Coruna on the other hand would want at least a point against the top side in La liga to try an ensure their run outside the relegation zone. They come into this match after they managed a draw against Valencia last week and they would be expecting a similar result again.

Prediction: 1-3, Real Madrid win

Valencia vs Deportivo La Coruna

9/3- Valencia have been highly inconsistent this season and hence after a great start they are struggling to maintain their position in the top half of the table. This week they get prepared to take on Deportivo La Coruna at home. Deportivo on the other hand have been in prime form and have paved their way out of the relegation zone and are currently on the 17^th position and are a point above the relegation zone. In the last match played between both the sides that was played earlier this season Valencia managed a 2-4 away victory but a look at the overall records would suggest that Deportivo have been the dominating team of the two and they have won 13 of the 29 matches played between the sides in the last 15 years while Valencia have managed victories in only 12 matches and the remaining 4 matches have been drawn. Both teams have been better in their performances away from home and hence Deportivo might hold a better chance in this tie.

If looked by current form Deportivo still are the better side as they have won 5 of their last 10 matches while Valencia have only managed to win twice in their last 10 matches. Deportivo come into this match after two straight weeks with victories, they managed to beat a strong opponent in Sevilla last week in a home tie and hence would be quite confident about their chances of winning in this tie. Valencia on the other hand come home for this tie after they lost against Espanyol in an away tie. Valencia are probably missing their best striker Morientes and in his absence one of the players would have to stand up to get the side a win. The match would be an evenly fought contest and individual brilliance would determine the result of the contest.

Prediction: 1-2, Deportivo win

Racing Santander vs Real Betis

9/3- Racing Santander have performed exceedingly well this season and as a result they currently occupy the 6^th spot on the points table, they have not scored as many goals as the other top teams but have been disciplined throughout the season and ensured that opponents are not able to score high number of goals as well. They get ready to take on a fighting Real Betis who have fought their way out of the relegation zone and currently are placed on the 11^th spot. The last match between the two sides ended in a draw but the overall record stands heavily in favour of the visiting side. In the 23 matches played between the two teams Real Betis have managed 7 victories while Racing Santander have only managed to have 3 victories while the other 13 have been draws. Also both the teams are equal in terms of their recent form as both the teams have won 4 matches, lost 3 matches and drawn 3 matches in their last 10 matches.

Racing Santander would be hoping to capitalise on the home advantage and score some crucial points, they enter this match after back to back victories and this would help them keep their confidence quite high as well. Their last week’s 1-0 victory against Valladolid in an away tie was a great example of the form they are in. They have a very good defence and a good performance at the front can help them win more matches.

Real Betis on the other hand have improved leaps and bounds to ensure their stay in the top league for the next year as well but the players need to be careful and not be complacent. Their last week’s home win against Murcia would have made the players feel relaxed and confident/

Prediction: 0-0 draw

Murcia vs Getafe

9/3-  Murcia have proved to be one of the weakest teams in this Laliga season and with their elimination almost certain they are playing for pride but there is no such reflection in the team’s performances over the past few weeks. They have lost their last 4 matches and are languishing at the second last position on the points table and this week they take on the 10^th placed team, Getafe at home. The only match between these two sides had happened earlier this season and Getafe had managed a victory with a 2-0 score while playing at home and would be looking for something similar this time as well. Getafe made a strong statement a couple of weeks ago by handing Real Madrid their first home defeat of this Laliga season and they would be looking for a full three points to try and stabilize their spot in the top half of the table. While the visiting team is in decent form the home fans would be hoping to see their team perform well at least at home.

Murcia would want to do well especially after the 4-0 drubbing they got at the hands of Real Betis in the away tie last week. Also the last time they won a match was in the first week of January and they would like to improve on that as well. The last time they scored a goal was also four matches ago and that shows that the team is really low on form and confidence.

Getafe on the other hand were held to a 3-3 draw by Mallorca in a home tie last week but the team is doing a good job overall. It is important that the team is able to stay together and perform the job on hand as they have not had any outstanding solo performer but their good work has resulted from contribution from all players.

Prediction: 1-2, Getafe win

Athletic Club Bilbao vs Valladolid

9/3- Athletic Club Bilbao are just a point above the relegation zone and are placed 15^th on the points table and this weekend they would play hosts to a club that has a point more than them and is on the 13^th position on the table, Valladolid. Both the teams can be said to be on par in terms of form as in the last ten matches while Athletic Club Bilbao have managed to win 3, draw 3 and lose 4 matches their visiting opponents have managed to register 4 victories, 2 draws and 4 losses. Looking at the match played between both these sides earlier this season the home team might appear to be the favourites as they had won the away tie 1-2. Also looking at the overall record between the teams Athletic Club Bilbao do hold a slighter edge as they have won 8 of the 23 matches between the sides while Valladolid have only managed 7. And on top of that Valladolid have registered only one away win this season and hence the home team might not face the scare of defeat.

Athletic Club Bilbao get into this match after a creditable away draw against a better side like Almeria, though their home form has not been the greatest the club can surely do a world o good to it by clinching all the three points from this tie. With the squad being almost injury free the entire team should be available for selection and that would be a huge boost for the home fans and the management.

Valladolid on the other hand would want to forget their last match which they lost to Racing Santander while playing at home, even though the side is on the 13^th spot they are not secure from the bottom 3 as the difference is a mere 2 points and hence a good performance here is critical.

Prediction: 1-0, Athletic win

Sevilla vs Levante

9/3- Sevilla are placed seventh on the points table and look to be in good for, this week they get ready to take on the team at the bottom of the table. Levante. Sevilla have managed to keep up pace with the other teams in the top half of the table and would expect to score all the three points in this home tie against an opponent like Levante. They would like to get a big win under their belt so that they cannot only challenge the team above them but also ensure that they can continue the climb upwards. Sevilla would be quite confident about their chances as they have already defeated Levante earlier this season in an away tie. Also another encouraging fact for the home side is that in the five matches played between both the sides in the last 15 years Sevilla have managed to win all. With the home crowd supporting them the home team look set to continue their dominance over the comparatively lesser opponent. Sevilla are on a high after they were able to win their Champions League tie while playing at home last week and also the last match they played at home they were able to blank out Real Zaragoza with a 5-0 score line. With Fabiano in their side the home team also has the ability to score at will and the able support of kanoute would serve as the icing on the cake. Levante on the other hand have been impressive in the past few weeks and have gathered more points in the last 6 matches as compared to the rest of the season. Though their survival in the top league this year looks a distant dream a good performance can help them win many hearts and hold their heads high. Prediction: 2-0, Sevilla win.

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