Real Madrid vs Espanyol

8/3- Real Madrid are going through a horrid phase and a team that had hardly thought of defeat throughout the season have been defeated 5 times in the last 10 matches which includes a loss to AS Roma in a crucial second leg match of the Champions League. However their strong lead in the beginning of the season has kept them at the top and in a very important home tie this week they take on Espanyol, one of the sides that were able to defeat Real Madrid in the earlier part of the season. Espanyol are placed on the fifth place and were able to beat real Madrid 2-1 while playing at home in the last encounter between the sides that happened in the initial stages of this season. Real Madrid are five points clear of the second placed Barcelona and would like to keep the gap as it is or possibly increase it but Espanyol is a side that can give them a run for their money.

Real Madrid were able to defeat Recreativo Huelva in an away tie in their last Laliga match and that would be something they can carry into this home tie. They are also well clear of Barcelona and would not be posed of the threat of immediate loss of the top position. Raul seems to have found his best form and the side would be hoping to capitalise on that along with the ability of Ruud Van Nistelrooy in the front. A win here would put them 8 points clear of second placed team and hence would also put a lot of pressure on Barcelona.

Espanyol on the other hand would want to improve on their 5^th position and their confidence would be sky high after the 2-0 home win against Valencia last week.

Prediction: 2-1, Real Madrid win

Almeria vs Athletic Club Bilbao

3/2- Almeria have been playing good form in recent times and have climbed up to the 8^th spot on the points table, they have won 5 of the last 10 matches while two matches have been draws. This week they get ready to take on the 15^th placed Athletic Club Bilbao, a team out of the relegation zone just on goal difference. The visiting team has not exhibited that good form in recent times and have won only thrice in the last 10 matches while they have lost 4 times. The last time the teams faced each other they ended with a 1-1 draw and that was earlier this season and that has been the only match played between the two sides in the last 15 years. While playing at home the team would hope to win the tie and score all three points on offer.

Athletic Club Bilbao come into this match after a home loss to Villareal last week but their away form has been quite decent this season. The last time they played away from home they won the match against a stronger opponent like Athletico Madrid. Llorente has been one of the most prolific strikers for the side this season and has managed to score 6 goals this season. A loss here could take them closer to the relegation zone and at this stage they would rather prefer a draw.

Almeria on the other hand would want to consolidate their position in the top half of the table and a win could boost their confidence as well. They come into this match after a good away victory against Racing Santander and with a player like Sanchez they would surely stand a chance to get three points of this game.

Prediction: 1-0, Almeria win

Real Betis vs Murcia

3/2- Real Betis are a team that has gained life once again, after being in the relegation zone they came up with a great surprise when the beat leaders Real Madrid in a home tie and they were able to hold on the higher ranked Mallorca last week in an away tie. The team has managed to stay out of the relegation zone and would be confident ahead of their home tie this week against a struggling second last placed Murcia team. The last time both the teams faced each other the match ended in a goalless draw but the home team would expect to have some more life into this match and score at least a goal that could help them claim three points and move away from the relegation zone. The teams have not played each other on many occasions but of the three matches played 2 have been draws while Real Betis have managed to win one. As the home side they would be hoping to take the advantage of playing at home and get the maximum points of the match.

Murcia have lost 6 of their last seven matches while only one match has been drawn, the team will be down on confidence as they have lost the last three matches and have not been able to score a single goal as well. They also look to be a certain relegated team as they are already 6 points behind the 18^th placed team.

Real Betis on the other hand have started to play to their potential and are winning matches, their form at home has been even better and they would like the most of it. Schmidt and Pavone are the two players that would make the difference to their side and can turn the match on the basis of the individual performance.

Prediction: 1-0, Real Betis win

Levante vs Real Zaragoza

3/2- Levante have not been a team of much substance this season but in the last few games they have managed to salvage some pride and more importantly they have managed to get some points as well. This week they play hosts to Real Zaragoza and would be hoping to get some points from this match as well. Real Zaragoza are better off than Levante in terms of their position but their form has been a huge concern as well and are out of the relegation zone just on the basis of a better goal difference. The last time both these teams faced each other, Real Zaragoza won convincingly with a 3-0 score line while playing at home. But away from home Real Zaragoza have won just a single match and in current form they do not look as convincing to win another. The overall record also suggests that Real Zaragoza has an advantage as they have won 2 matches of the 5 played while 3 have been draws.
Though Levante lost their last match with a 5-1 score against Barcelona, they cannot said to be totally out of form as they have not been able to perform away from home. However their form at home has been decent and their win against Osasuna a couple of weeks ago would have increased the side’s confidence playing at home.
Real Zaragoza on the other hand would be very low on confidence as they have lost three matches in a row and now would be hoping to change that in the match against the weakest team in the competition. The visiting side would try and get at least a point of this match as a loss here could possibly hand them an entry into the relegation zone, something no team would want.
Prediction: 1-0, Levante win

Getafe vs Mallorca

3/2- Getafe have managed to get a lot of attention after their victory against real Madrid last week. The team currently placed 10^th on the points table was able to upset Real Madrid, that too on their home ground, something that no other team has done throughout this season. After such a moral boosting result they are back at home and would play hosts to Mallorca this weekend. Mallorca are currently placed a couple of positions below the home team on the 12^th spot they would be entering the match after having drawn their last 4 matches. The last time both this teams had played each other was earlier this season and Mallorca had managed to win the match with a 4-2 score line and they also are better off when we look at the overall records for both the sides however on the basis of current form Getafe might just hold the edge over Mallorca and more so as they are the home team and have a decent home record as well.

Getafe fans would be hoping to see their team bring in the magic they exhibited in the away tie last week and three points here could mean that the side can surely climb some places on the points table and also start planning for probably a top 5 finish if they can upset the teams above them. The biggest strength for Getafe is the team effort their players have put as they are in the top 10 without any striker scoring more than 3 goals this season.

Mallorca would have to be careful as they would be visiting to play a side in supreme confidence and since Mallorca are just three points above the relegation zone they cannot afford a slip at this stage. Mallorca were able to draw their last match against Real Betis at home and a similar result here would be fine as well.

Prediction: 2-0, Getafe win

Espanyol vs Valencia

1/3- The last three weeks have been dreadful for Espanyol as they have been handed three consecutive defeats and are currently placed on the sixth position, they would be eager to get back to winning ways and in this attempt would be taking on 9^th placed Valencia in the match of the weekend in the Spanish Laliga. While Espanyol enter this after back to back defeats Valencia would be travelling for this match after back to back draws and would be hoping to make the most out of the slip in form of the home side. Earlier this season Espanyol had managed to defeat Valencia in an away tie with a 1-2 score line but the now the forms have reversed and Valencia would be keen on taking revenge. Looking at the overall record also Espanyol have been the dominant side but on current form Valencia look to be more threatening.

The home team would be under quite some pressure and would be hoping that the big players like Tamudo and Garcia can finally fire and bring in the three points or else the club might slip even further and their chances of making it to the European competition next season might as well diminish. Their last win was against Getafe in an away tie nearly a month ago and if the home team can get a similar result at home the crowd would be delighted.

Valencia on the other hand enter this match after a draw against Recreativo last week in a home tie, they are covering up for the terrible time they had in the middle of the season and a timely victory here could lift up them to a position of some respect. They would also  be satisfied with a point from this tie but definitely would not like to lose this one.

Prediction: 1-0, Espa nyol win

Recreativo Huelva vs Real Madrid

1/3- Real Madrid have lost their strong position and form that they had gained after hard work from the beginning of the season in a matter of 4 weeks. In the last 4 weeks they have lost three matches in Laliga and from having an 8 point advantage they have been brought down to a position where they enjoy only a two point lead over their arch rivals Barcelona. In an attempt to extend their lead at the top of the table Real Madrid travel to take on Recreativo Huelva this week. Recreativo have been in decent form and are currently on the 17^th spot after winning two of their last three matches. In the last head to head encounter real Madrid were able to defeat Recreativo playing at home and would look to repeat the same this time as well. Also Real have won 3 of the last 5 matches between the sides and hence they would hold an upper hand.

After their first home defeat against Getafe last week Real Madrid would like to make a point and there would be no better way than winning the match in a convincing and dominating style. Real have many players who can win the match for the club on their own but the fans would be hoping that in this situation all come together to give a solid performance and possibly extend the side’s lead.

Receativo on the other hand have been trying their best to move out of the relegation zone and after three weeks of consistent performance they look to be moving out of the danger zone but facing Real Madrid under such a situation would be no easy task and they would have to play their best football to ensure that the team can at least draw a point out of this tie.

Prediction: 1-2, Real Madrid win

Athletico Madrid vs Barcelona

1/3- Barcelona have all of a sudden found a reason to fight for, after being 8 points adrift of the league leaders they have come to just 2 points behind Real Madrid and now travel to Madrid to take on the other club from the city, Athletico. Like their city club, Athletico have also had a rough two weeks and hence they find themselves in the fourth spot. Athletico would be hoping to get back the winning touch and there is no better time than while playing at home. Barcelona had got the better off the Madrid side the last time both teams had met but the overall record between the two sides stands in favour of Athletico, at least for the past 15 years or so. Barcelona have struggled away from home and have not been able to win many matches while Athletico at home have been quite convincing and have performed quite well.

Barcelona would be hoping to possibly take the lead away from Real Madrid this weekend and is this happens the Spanish league would turn out to be very interesting. Having won the last three matches Barca seem to be in prime form and their 5-1 win last week against Levante would be a huge confidence booster for the side. With Messi, Eto’o, Henry and Ronaldinho in their side Barca can win against any opposition at any venue and the fans would be hoping for the big names to deliver in this all important tie.

Athletico Madrid on the other hand would try and get back their form and also try to win back the lost third position before the end of season. Forlan would be their best bet and if the side can perform to its potential they might be able to pull out some crucial points out of this tie.

Prediction: 1-1, draw

Real Madrid vs Getafe

24/2- Real Madrid are probably trying to bring in some life to the competition as they were sailing along with a great margin and all of a sudden they lost 2 matches in a period of three matches, cutting down their lead to just 5 points. Both the losses were in matches away from home while the last match the leaders played at home they beat Valladolid 7-0, hence they would be quite confident when they take on Getafe this week. Getafe are placed 13^th on the points table and are a mixed bag team, their last 10 matches have resulted 2 draws, three wins and 5 losses while the leaders have won 8 of their last 10 matches while lost just two. The home crowd will be a definite advantage for Real Madrid and they would not be satisfied in anything less than 3 points from this match. When both these teams faced each other earlier this season Real Madrid had won 0-1, in an away tie.

Real Madrid have won all the 11 matches played at home this season and a team like Getafe does not appear to have the power to stop them. After the defeat last week the players would be on high alert as they cannot afford to give Barca a sniff of a chance. Van Nistelrooy, Raul and Robinho have been the three goal scoring players for the leading Spanish side and they would be expected to deliver this time.

Getafe on the other hand would be hoping for at least a point from this match as dreaming of beating Real Madrid at home this season is like seeing a dream. Getafe would be happy after they were able to hold Valencia to a draw in a home tie last week but facing Real Madrid away from home will be a challenge in itself.

Prediction: 3-0, Real Madrid win

Barcelona vs Levante

24/2- Just when it appeared that Real Madrid would run away with the title they are going through a slip against weaker oppositions and the second placed Barcelona is trying to make the most out of this small opening provided and get back in a position to challenge the leaders. This week they play hosts to the team lying on the 20^th position on the points table, Levante. Barcelona have just lost a single match at home this season and they would be expected to register a comfortable victory when they take on Levante but they would have to be just a little careful with their approach as a laid back approach could prove expensive to them as it did last week for Osasuna who were beaten by Levante 2-1. Barcelona have not lost a single match to Levante in the last 15 years and even when they met earlier this season Barcelona had won 1-4 in an away tie. With just 5 points separating them from the leaders Barca would go for the kill and make the most of this given opportunity.

Barcelona come into the match after they defeated Real Zaragoza 1-2 in a away tie last week and since Real Madrid lost to a lowly ranked Real Betis their confidence would have shot even higher. A lot more goals can be expected with Messi, Henry and Ronaldinho playing for the side. Barca would be hoping to get a full three points and anything less would be highly disappointing.

Levante on the other hand have proven that they cannot be taken lightly and have the quality to play in the top division but they would have to produce such performances on a consistent basis. Though their chances of escaping relegation are fairly slim they can at least give in their best efforts.

Prediction: 2-0, Barca win

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