Getafe vs Espanyol
Colisuem Alfonso Perez, Getafe
Tuesday, 16-06-2020 @8:30pm
Ref: Jose Munuera
Getafe resumed their La Liga campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Granada on Friday and they make little appeal at odds-on against an Espanyol side who are slowly finding their rhythm.
It was a third league defeat in five games for Getafe, who netted at Granada despite registering only two shots on target.
Although flying high in fifth, there isn’t much between these sides on paper.
Getafe are struggling to match their early-season form having failed to score in three of their last five home games, which includes a goalless draw with relegation-threatened Celta Vigo.
With just 38 goals scored in 28 league games (an average of 1.35 per game), Getafe are far from prolific so there’s every chance this will be a low-scoring contest in which Espanyol can keep close tabs on them.
Espanyol boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 victory at home to Alaves on Saturday and although their task was made easier by the 19th-minute dismissal of Fernando Pacheco, it was still a dominant performance.
That crucial win has left bottom club Espanyol three points adrift of safety with ten games remaining and we are predicting them to take a leap forward as the season comes to a close.
Espanyol spent significant money in January in their bid to avoid the drop and, having reached the knockout stages of the Europa League, it is clear they are punching well below their weight.
However, with their European aspirations no longer a distraction, Abelardo Fernanedez’s side should continue their resurgence with a positive result at Getafe.
Espanyol have drawn with Barcelona, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and won at Villarreal this calendar year and it’s unlikely Saturday’s win against ten-man Alaves took much out of them.
Espanyol have lost only three of their last ten league games. Getafe have lost three of their last five league games, including a 2-1 defeat at Granada on their reappearance. Each of the last two meetings have ended in 1-1 draws.
Villarreal vs Mallorca
Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal
Tuesday, 16-06-2020 @8:30pm
Ref: Javier Estrada
Villarreal were impressive 1-0 winners at Celta Vigo on La Liga’s return to action and should have few problems following up at home to poor travellers Mallorca.
Despite needing an injury-time strike from Manu Trigueros, it was a deserved success for the Yellow Submarine who enjoyed 59 per cent possession and won the shot count 11-2.
Celta Vigo are a dangerous side, particularly on home soil, but they failed to register a shot on target and it was an excellent performance from Javier Calleja’s crew, who still have realistic ambitions of qualifying for European football.
Villarreal have lost just three of their 13 home league games this term, winning three of their last five, and won’t have many easier opportunities to bolster that tally than at home to Mallorca.
The Yellow Submarine have also held Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid on their own patch this season and although 3-1 losers at Mallorca in November, we are predicting them to exact their revenge.
Mallorca were picked off 4-0 by title chasers Barcelona on Saturday and a trip to Villarreal is unlikely to see their fortunes change.
With ten games remaining, Mallorca are third from bottom, a point off safety, and must improve their away form if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Segunda Division.
Los Bermellones boast the worst away form in La Liga with just five points collected from their 13 games. They have won only once on the road this term and that was a hard-fought 2-1 victory at fellow strugglers Eibar.
Mallorca have conceded 30 goals in those 13 away games, shipping two or more on nine occasions, and those defensive frailties should be exposed by a Villarreal frontline featuring the likes of Gerard Moreno, Paco Alcacer and Carlos Bacca.
Mallorca boast the worst away form in La Liga with just five points collected from 13 games. Villarreal have lost only three of their last 13 home games, winning three of their last five.
Barcelona vs Leganes
Estadio Camp Nou, Barcelona
Tuesday, 16-06-2020 @11pm
Ref: Juan Martinez
Barcelona put the pressure back on Real Madrid on Saturday night as they demolished Mallorca 4-0 on their return to action. It took under two minutes for Arturo Vidal to get the party underway in a one-sided clash that was rounded off by Lionel Messi’s 20th league goal of the season.
This made it six wins from their last seven La Liga outings, putting them five points clear at the top of the table ahead of Real Madrid’s tie with Eibar on Sunday.
Blaugrana’s lead at the top of the table isn’t likely to be under threat on Tuesday, either. They have won seven of their eight meetings with Leganes and are yet to falter at the Camp Nou against them.
What’s more, they have scored a massive 24 goals in these eight fixtures and considering they are averaging 3.21 goals per home game this season we’re predicting another rout.
All this comes as bad news to the ears of Leganes fans. The visitors returned to the fray with a 2-1 loss at home to Real Valladolid on Saturday, a result which leaves them 19th in the standings and three points adrift of safety.
Of course, there are problems all over the pitch for the relegation-threatened team, but their main issue is going forward.
They have the joint worst attacking record in La Liga and have failed to score in 54% of their away games.
Leganes have failed to score in 54% of their La Liga away games this season. Barcelona have won 13 of their 14 league games at the Camp Nou this season. The hosts have scored an average of 3.21 goals per home game in La Liga this term.
The other Spanish La Liga match-day 28 fixtures and results
Wednesday, 17-06-2020
-Eibar vs Bilbao @8:30pm
-Valladolid vs Celta Vigo @8:30pm
-Osasuna vs Atletico Madrid @11pm
Thursday, 18-06-2020
-Alaves vs Sociedad @8:30pm
-Real Madrid vs Valencia @11pm
Monday, 15-06-2020
-Betis 2-2 Granada
-Levante 1-1 Sevilla
