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VIE 18.10.2019
Granada CF vs C.A. Osasuna
Granada CF find themselves firmly entrenched in the early race for European places just eight games into their return to LaLiga Santander. Their hugely strong away form combined with a stunning home win over FC Barcelona has spring boarded Granada CF’s season and they will be looking to consolidate their position in the top four with a run of comfortable fixtures on the horizon. They host fellow newly-promoted C.A. Osasuna on match day nine who managed just their second win of the season with a 2-1 victory at home to Villarreal before the international break. The home side won both fixtures in LaLiga Smartbank last season, with the away team failing to score on both occasions. The away side last won this fixture in 2013.
SD Eibar vs FC Barcelona
SD Eibar were resolute on the road against Real Betis in their last match before the international break, earning a point thanks to a first-half penalty from Fabian Orellana and surviving a late onslaught after losing Gonzalo Escalante to a red card in injury time. It extended their unbeaten run to four games and moved them ever closer to the top half ahead of the arrival of a very much in-form FC Barcelona. The reigning-champions have won three consecutive games thanks in large part to the return of Lionel Messi from injury and the sustained brilliance of new signing Antoine Griezmann. Their 4-0 demolition at the Camp Nou of a strong Sevilla side signalling their return to the top two on the LaLiga Santander table, just two points behind league leaders and arch-rivals Real Madrid. SD Eibar have never beaten FC Barcelona and have managed just one draw throughout their history, which came in their most recent meeting in May this year. FC Barcelona lead by an aggregate score of 33-6 over their 10 meetings.
Atlético de Madrid vs Valencia CF
Atletico de Madrid have had an indifferent month of football following their red-hot start to the 2019/20 LaLiga Santander season. One win, one loss and three draws from their past five games has seen them drop from first to third on the table with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona moving ahead into the top two. Their goal-scoring touch has dried up, failing to score in three of those past five games including at home to Celta Vigo and away to Real Sociedad. They host Valencia CF on match day nine who are winners of their past two and undefeated in their last four. Despite a strong offensive arsenal, Valencia CF have the joint-second worst defensive record outside of the relegation places and they will be wary of a refreshed Atletico de Madrid side at the fortress Wanda Metropolitano. Valencia CF haven’t beaten Atletico de Madrid since 2014, with the home side winning six of the past eight.
RCD Mallorca vs Real Madrid
RCD Mallorca snapped a run of three-consecutive losses in their last match before the international period with a win over fellow cellar-dwellers RCD Espanyol. The three points lifted them above their opposition but still sit in the relegation positions with just seven points from eight matches. RCD Mallorca’s return to LaLiga Santander football has not gone as smoothly as the club and its fans would have hoped, and their task becomes all the more difficult this week as they host league leaders Real Madrid. Los Blancos remain the only undefeated team in LaLiga Santander and have shaken off a couple of scrappy early season draws to have won four of their past five. Karim Benzema casts a rejuvenated figure and is leading Real Madrid from the front, sitting atop the top scorers with six goals alongside Loren Morón of Real Betis and Gerard Moreno of Villarreal CF. RCD Mallorca last beat Real Madrid in 2009, with the away side winning the past five matches by a scoreline of 17-4.
Follow all the results and the standings from the opening round of matches in LaLiga Santander on www.livescore.com
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