There’s only one game on everyone’s lips this weekend in Spain as the top two go head to head at the Camp Nou. At the bottom Las Palmas and Levante will both leap out of the relegation zone with victories over Celta Vigo and Sevilla respectively. Elsewhere Gary Neville STILL needs his first La Liga win
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
People have been looking forward to this clash for weeks, simply because we’ll know on Sunday whether Atleti will have the quality to keep pace at the top as they try to wrestle back the La Liga title off of Barcelona. Their record against the Catalonians is not good however, just one win in 14 attempts and no goal for Antoine Griezmann in five appearances against Barca. They’ve only conceded three goals away from home all year however. But I don’t think they’ll have enough. Back Suarez to score at and a home win at
Valencia vs Sporting Gijon
I know I’ve tipped Gary Neville to get his first La Liga win the last couple of times, but I’m certain that this week it’s happening. Sporting are second to last, they’ve lost eight of their eleven away games. But after losing 5-1 to Real two weeks ago, they came out and destroyed Sociedad by the same scoreline. My tip is to back the in play. If Valencia score first, they’ll win at. If they don’t back the score draw. Gijon’s best hope for a goal is Sanabria at to open the scoring
Real Madrid vs Espanyol
Espanyol actually have a decent record in the Bernebau. Despite losing heavily on many an occasion, they’ve been able to grab a draw against the Galacticos twice over the last four seasons. But they haven’t won in almost a decade, and were beaten 6-0 at home by Real earlier in the season. Zidane’s Madrid have been scoring for fun, and the handicap of Real -3 is too good not to take on this occasion, especially when you take into account the extent of Espanyol’s injuries. They’re missing six first team players.
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As a handy guide – of the 16 goals Sevilla have scored in those last seven games Vitolo has 5, Gameiro 3, Bacca 2 and there have been a smattering of own goals and penalties for both sides. Bacca was rested on Thursday and thus should start, Iborra who also got two in the last seven and two against Elche the last time this fixture was played, is suspended. Vitolo took a knock on his knee at Villarreal, couldn’t train Friday and is a doubt. Elche, for their part, are rather more troubled.
The strikers don’t believe the defence, particularly Iker, will keep the ball out and the defence don’t believe the strikers are working hard enough. There’s more finger-pointing than at a proctologists’ training course.
England have one foot at next summer’s European Championships and will be confident of sealing their place in Poland and Ukraine this weekend. It has all been a bit to straight forward for Fabio Capello’s men to date, but surely they can’t slip up now?
After a packed weekend of international fixtures, the Euro 2012 qualifiers continue on Tuesday with a number of potentially explosive fixtures that could have massive implications for next summer’s tournament to be held in Poland and Ukraine, with Germany and Sweden both in action (Sweden 8/1 – Group E winner).
Barcelona (1/8 to land the La Liga title) seem well on course to land the Spanish title this season, but there are still plenty of other issues to be resolved, as there are in Serie A, now we’re at the ‘business end’ of the campaign.
Manchester United (United 11/5 to win the Premier League outright) manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have a key role in deciding his successor, according to chief executive David Gill.
Steven Gerrard says England are desperate for success at the World Cup – they are 6/1 to lift the trophy – this summer and he believes a vocal backing from the travelling fans out in South Africa will significantly boost their chances of glory.