Real Mallorca vs Celta Vigo
Venue Iberoster Estadi, Palma de Mallorca
Tuesday, 30-06-2020 @8:30pm
Ref: Ricardo di Burgos
Celta Vigo have given their survival hopes a tremendous boost since La Liga’s resumption and can edge their crucial six-pointer away to Real Mallorca.
After returning to action in Spain’s top flight with defeat to Villarreal, Vigo have gone on a four-match unbeaten run, defeating Alaves and Real Sociedad and holding Real Valladolid and Barcelona to draws.
They showed excellent spirit to twice come from behind in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona last time out and although Barca had 19 shots, they were limited to only two on target.
Iago Aspas has been in the goals of late, netting in each of his side’s last three matches, but it has been at the back when Vigo have been most impressive.
Uncharacteristic of a struggling side, they have conceded only 37 goals in their 32 league fixtures – fewer than European hopefuls Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Valencia.
That solidity at the back has translated to low-scoring affairs recently with Vigo having kept six clean sheets in their last ten assignments in La Liga.
As part of that run, they have been particularly adept at shutting out the sides near them in the standings, such as Leganes, Valladolid and Alaves.
With that in mind and given their current run of form, they should fancy their chances of coming out on top against Mallorca.
The hosts are not without their dangers in the final third – Ante Budimir has been a solid source of goals while loanee Takefusa Kubo has been a revelation on the wing this season.
But they are winless in their last five league assignments and have struggled in front of goal of late.
Mallorca have won only two of their last 12 games in La Liga. Both teams have scored in only 13 of Mallorca’s 32 league assignments this season. Celta Vigo have kept 11 clean sheets in the league this term.
Leganes vs Sevilla
Estadio Municipal de Burtaque, Leganes
Tuesday, 30-06-2020 @10pm
Ref: Ceaser Sato
Sevilla returned to action in La Liga in the best way possible with victory over bitter Andalusian rivals Real Betis but they have drawn four matches in a row since.
While stalemates at home to Barcelona and away to an in-form Villarreal side are not to be sniffed at, the 1-1 draws with Levante and Real Valladolid were a touch concerning.
Sevilla are targeting a top-four berth in La Liga this term but a lack of killer instinct in the final third may well have stopped them from competing with Barcelona and Real Madrid in the title race.
Argentinian winger Lucas Ocampos has been their standout player with 11 league goals this season while Dutch striker Luuk de Jong has faltered with only seven goals in all competitions.
That somewhat toothless nature in the final third is the reason why although they are on a nine-game unbeaten run, six of those matches ended all square.
But against Leganes they should not even need to be at their sharpest to get on the scoresheet, with the Cucumber Growers having shipped 46 goals in their 32 league contests this term.
They have only won five times in the league this season with only one of those wins coming in their last ten assignments and only two in 2020.
Since the league’s resumption they have lost three of their five matches, drawing the other two against plucky Granada and a Mallorca side they really needed to beat if they are to stave off the drop this season.
Leganes are winless in their last five matches in La Liga. Sevilla have lost only one of their last 12 league fixtures. Six of Sevilla’s last seven league wins have been to nil.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
Estadio Camp Nou, Barcelona
Tuesday, 30-06-2020 @11pm
Ref: Alejandro Hernandez
Barcelona are in danger of losing significant ground in the race for the La Liga title but they can outline their credentials with a big win over Atletico Madrid.
Quique Setien’s men are by no means on a poor run of form but the resurgence of Real Madrid since the restart has meant the Catalan outfit’s recent draws with Sevilla and Celta Vigo may have severely hampered their chances of a third straight title success.
Both of those stalemates did, however, come away from home and it is no secret Barcelona have been reliant on performances at the Camp Nou this term.
Of their 21 wins in La Liga this season, 15 have come at home, where they have not lost in the league this season.
The only league fixture at home Barcelona have failed to win this season was their goalless El Clasico clash with Real Madrid back in December.
They have won both of their home matches to nil since the league’s resumption against Leganes and Athletic Bilbao and Lionel Messi and company could prove too hot to handle for an Atletico side who have been off the pace this season.
Diego Simeone has struggled to find a consistently dangerous attacking combination from the likes of Joao Felix, Alvaro Morata and Diego Costa, with Los Rojiblancos managing a miserly 41 goals in their 32 league matches.
That goal tally is the same as lowly Real Betis and inferior to Sevilla, Villarreal and Real Sociedad and they have particularly struggled on their travels, netting only 18 goals in their 16 matches on the road.
However, Barcelona have not been without their defensive deficiencies, conceding in six of their previous 11 home victories in La Liga and in a high-octane fixture, Atletico should be able to register a consolation goal.
Barcelona have won eight of their previous 11 matches in La Liga. Barcelona‘s league fixtures have featured an average of 3.28 goals per game this season. Atletico Madrid have found the net in each of their last ten league encounters.
The other upcoming La Liga games
Wednesday, 01-07-2020
-Deportivo Alaves vs Granada @8:30pm
-Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao @8:30pm
-Real Betis vs Villarreal @11pm
-Real Valladolid vs Levante @11pm
Thursday, 02-07-2020
-Eibar vs Osasuna @8:30pm
-Real Sociedad vs Espanyol @8:30pm
-Real Madrid vs Getafe @11pm
