News
FRI 23.08.2019
Granada vs Sevilla (Friday 7pm GMT+1)
Granada CF and Sevilla FC each opened their seasons with impressive away performances to start the 2019/20 LaLiga Santander season. Newly-promoted Granada CF scored two goals in the final 15 minutes away to Villarreal CF, capping a six-goal second half that saw the game finish 4-4 in the most entertaining fixture of the first week of the competition. Sevilla FC went one better, winning 2-0 away to RCD Espanyol thanks to goals from Real Madrid-loanee Sergio Reguilón and star forward Nolito. The two teams have traded wins in their recent meetings, Granada CF winning three and Sevilla FC two of their past five matches, with neither side claiming consecutive victories.
Levante UD vs Villarreal CF (Friday 9pm GMT+1)
Levante UD and Villarreal CF will both be ruing missed opportunities in their LaLiga Santander openers, as neither were able to capitalise on strong performances. Levante UD dominated possession, shots and shots on target against D Alavés, only to lose 1-0 after their new signing Joselu headed in a corner in the 54th minute. Villarreal CF threw away a two-goal lead at home to Sevilla FC with 15 minutes left to draw 4-4 in a result that can only be seen as two points dropped. However, they have dominated this fixture in recent meetings, unbeaten against Levante in their past four matches and winners of four of the last six. Villarreal CF won both games last season.
CA Osasuna vs SD Eibar (Saturday 4pm GMT+1)
LaLiga SmartBank champions CA Osasuna began life back in LaLiga with a win away to Leganes UD thanks to a stunning late goal from striker Ezequial Ávila. They will host SD Eibar in their season opener at the El Sadar Stadium, a venue where they were undefeated last season on their campaign to be promoted back to the top flight. SD Eibar, who lost 2-1 away to newly-promoted RCD Mallorca last week, have beaten CA Osasuna just once since 2016.
Real Madrid CF vs Real Valladolid (Saturday 6pm GMT+1)
Real Madrid helped relieve early pressure on manager Zinedine Zidane with a strong showing in their LaLiga Santander opener away to RC Celta. Los Blancos earned a 3-1 victory at the Balaídos despite playing with 10 men for the final 38 minutes, after Luka Modric was shown a straight red card when his challenge on Denis Suarez was referred by VAR. Eden Hazard was robbed his LaLiga debut after being ruled out with a hamstring injury on Friday, but familiar faces Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Lucas Vazquez ensured they would return to the Santiago Bernabéu with all three points. They host Real Valladolid in their home opener, who squeaked past a 10-man Real Betis thanks to a wonderful finish by Óscar Pla in the 89th minute. Real Valladolid haven’t beaten Real Madrid since 2008 and have conceded a staggering 28 goals in their 9 meetings since, a record that doesn’t bode well for the Pucela.
RC Celta vs Valencia CF (Saturday 8pm GMT+1)
RC Celta were dismantled at home by a 10-man Real Madrid to open their LaLiga Santander season, and will be hoping for a much better showing against Valencia DF, who failed to win their own home opener after a late goal saw them draw 1-1 with Real Sociedad. Valencia CF will be without defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin, who committed a handball in the box in the 10th minute of injury-time, earning himself a second yellow card and handing Sociedad a point. RC Celta haven’t beaten Valencia since 2017, with Los Ches winning 2-1 at the Balaídos last season. Star striker Rodrigo’s impending move to Atlético de Madrid also has fallen through according to manager Marcelino, in a further boost to the visitors
Getafe CF vs Athletic Club (Saturday 8pm GMT+1)
Last year’s fairy tale side Getafe CF were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Atlético de Madrid in their LaLiga Santander opener at the Wanda Metripolitano, in a match that saw a player from each side shown red cards within four minutes of each other in dubious circumstances. They will feel buoyed by playing one of the competition favourites so closely, but their task will be no easier as they welcome Athletic Club to the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez fresh off their stunning 1-0 victory over champions FC Barcelona. The past five meetings between the two sides have been very even, with one win apiece and three draws, although Athletic Club’s last victory over Getafe CF came in 2015.
Deportivo Alavés vs RCD Espanyol (Sunday 4pm GMT+1)
Deportivo Alavés scraped past Levante in the first game of the 2019/20 LaLiga Santander season 1-0 despite being outplayed for large periods of the match. This week they again play hosts at the Mendizorrotza Stadium, this time to RCD Espanyol, who failed to find the score sheet against Sevilla FC last week in a 2-0 loss at home. They split the two meetings last year with each side winning 2-1 at their respective home grounds.
RCD Mallorca vs Real Sociedad (Sunday 4pm GMT+1)
LaLiga SmartBank play-off winners RCD Mallorca reignited their LaLiga status with a first-up win at home to SD Eibar, thanks in large part to a 75th minute own goal from Paulo Oliviera. RCD Mallorca set up to play on the counter against their more established opposition, and despite being overwhelmed by possession, they managed 15 shots to SD Eibar’s 11. They will likely look to do the same against a strong Real Sociedad side, who were handed a point against Valencia FC by Francis Coquelin’s 100th minute handball in the box, resulting in a successful penalty. These two sides haven’t played in LaLiga Santander since 2013, where Real Sociedad ran out 3-0 winners. The away team has never won a fixture between these two teams.
CD Leganes vs Atlético de Madrid (Sunday 6pm GMT+1)
CD Leganes fell to LaLiga SmartBank champions CA Osasuna in their opening game of the season and their following match will be even more difficult as Atlético de Madrid head to the southern outskirts of the city for an early Madrid derby. Atlético de Madrid weren’t at their best against Getafe CF but still managed to take all three points away from the fortress that is the Wanda Metropolitano. Record-signing Joao Felix showed a few moments of magic and he will be looking to build on his LaLiga Santander debut with a more rounded showing. Kieran Trippier looked at home in the right back position following his move from Tottenham, laying on an inch-perfect cross for Alvaro Morata’s goal. CD Leganes have never beaten Atlético de Madrid, scoring just once in their six meetings.
FC Barcelona vs Real Betis (Sunday 8pm GMT+1)
FC Barcelona head back to the Camp Nou with their tail between their legs after being out-muscled and outlasted by Athletic Club in their season opener, sensationally losing 1-0 thanks to a bicycle goal from 38-year-old substitute striker Aritz Aduriz in the 89th minute. The absence of Lionel Messi, who was ruled out with a calf injury, was heavily felt by the Spanish champions as they struggled to consistently breakdown a resolute Athletic Club defence. Their talisman will return however for their home opener against Real Betis on Sunday evening, and the away side will need to be significantly better than they were at home against Real Valladolid last week, where they lost 2-1. Real Betis were one of three teams to beat FC Barcelona last season, winning 4-3 at the Camp Nou despite two goals from Messi.
Follow all the scores, results and tables from the opening week of LaLiga Santander at livescore.com.
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