Partners
FRI 13.12.2019
Real Sociedad vs FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona travel to Real Sociedad on the back of six-straight wins in all competitions and four-consecutive in LaLiga Santander, but are yet to fully convinced fans of their trophy winning credentials in both Spain and Europe. Too often they’ve been bailed out by the brilliance of captain Lionel Messi as the side has failed to find a consistent style of play under Ernesto Valverde, who appears very much a bad patch or even poor result away from losing his job. Their midweek win away to Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the Champions League with an understrength side will re-motivate the club as it heads into a difficult four-day stretch that sees them away to Real Sociedad and home to Real Madrid. Their opponents this weekend sit fourth in LaLiga Santander, seven points behind their more fancied opposition. FC Barcelona have won the last five matches between these two in the league.
Valencia CF vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid have refused to let arch-rivals FC Barcelona out of their sights after four-straight wins has kept them level atop LaLiga Santander with just two goals separating them on differential. Much like FC Barcelona, they’ve failed to truly convince supporters of their legitimacy as the club continues to transition out of the Cristiano Ronaldo era. The lack of form and recent injury to his heir, Eden Hazard, has taken further gloss off the season but the reinvigoration of Karim Benzema and the emergence of Rodrygo has eased the frustration. They travel to Valencia for their final game before the first ElClásico of the season to play a Valencia CF side that have won four of their last five to climb within a win of the European positions. Their defence has been their pitfall this season and Real Madrid will fancy themselves to outscore the home side. Valencia CF won this fixture 2-1 last season.
Atletico de Madrid vs C.A. Osasuna
Atletico de Madrid made it three games without a win on the weekend, scratching out a 0-0 draw away to Villarreal CF to further lose ground on the top two and indeed the Champions League positions. Their season has been hugely underwhelming despite the signing of Joao Felix, scoring a dismal 16 goals in 16 games, the worst of any side in the top 13. While their defence remains resolute, their inability to score goals has resulted in too many draws, a league-most eight, and this can certainly be attributed to league position. They must earn a victory against a consistently impressive C.A. Osasuna at the Wanda Metropolitano, but the promoted side will show no fear. They and Granada CF have been welcome additions to LaLiga Santander this season and through 16 games look every bit as though they belong in the top division. These sides last met in the 2016/17 season where Atletico de Madrid won both games 3-0.
Sevilla FC vs Villarreal CF
Sevilla FC refuse to let the top two out of their sight, undefeated in their last eight matches including five wins to sit just three points behind FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Despite not setting the league alight with goals, they’ve managed to grind out low-scoring results and keep clean sheets to remain cemented in the top four. They will fancy themselves against a Villarreal CF side that have lost four of their last six overall and five of their last six away from home. Despite a fast start to the season, the Yellow Submarine are very much struggling and even their most optimistic fans will have fears for them on matchday 17. The last three LaLiga Santander fixtures between these sides in Seville have been draws.
Follow all the results and the standings from the opening round of matches in LaLiga Santander on www.livescore.com.
© LALIGA - 2019