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VIE 30.08.2019
Sevilla FC - RC Celta
Sevilla FC find themselves atop LaLiga with two wins and two clean sheets to open their season, both away from home. Joan Jordán’s opportunistic finish against Granada CF was all they needed to consolidate top spot in a game that offered very little for the supporters. Celta de Vigo shook off a first week thrashing from Real Madrid with a promising 1-0 win over Valencia CF, thanks in large part to a breathtakingly creative finish from Gabriel Fernańdez in the 15th minute. Sevilla FC and RC Celta split the two fixtures last season, with the home side winning each time. The away club has not won in this match-up since 2016.
Athletic Club - Real Sociedad
Athletic Club and Real Real Sociedad find themselves with identical records after the opening two weeks of the 2019/20 LaLiga season, with both sides claiming one win, one draw, scoring twice and conceding once. Athletic Club’s draw away to Getafe CF last week could prove to be a hugely valuable point given their impressive campaign last season, while Real Sociedad’s triumph in RCD Mallorca’s home opener showed their highly-rated side won’t show any fear away from home. Real Sociedad have dominated the fixture recently, winning three of the past four meetings including both games last season. The Basque club won 3-1 at the San Mamés last year.
CA Osasuna - FC Barcelona
CA Osasuna ensured their undefeated home streak continued but were unable to offer much in attack against SD Eibar, as the game finished 0-0. The LaLiga SmartBank champions were unbeaten at the El Sadar last season and will be looking to remain in Spain’s top flight off the back of that form, but the home crowd will have been underwhelmed with their first showing. FCB Barcelona’s season exploded into life thanks to a virtuoso performance from Antoine Griezmann in his first home game at the Camp Nou. Griezmann thrived in the absence of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who both missed the game with calf injuries, as the Frenchman scored two goals including an absolute stunner from the edge of the box, bringing a smile to the faces of his famous teammates. CA Osasuna’s home fortress will be severely tested with Messi and Suarez both expected to return. The two last played each other in the 2016/17 season where FC Barcelona won 10-1 on aggregate across the two games including a 7-1 at the Camp Nou.
Levante UD - Real Valladolid
Both Levante UD and Real Valladolid earned hugely impressive results last week, with the latter spoiling Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu opener. Karim Benzema’s lethal strike in the 82nd minute was cancelled out six minutes later by Sergi Guardiola Navarro, who beat advancing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and tapped the ball past the Belgian to earn a point for Real Valladolid and retain their top four status. Levante UD meanwhile overcame a 3rd minute goal at home to Villarreal CF to win 2-1, thanks to a pair of Roger Martí penalties five minutes apart. Levante UD have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning three of the past four meetings and scoring 10 goals to four across those matches.
Getafe CF - D. Alavés
Getafe CF’s season failed to kick into gear at home to Athletic Club as last year’s fairy tale side find themselves 16th and winless at this very early stage of the competition. Despite being the aggressors throughout the second half, Getafe CF couldn’t find the quality needed to break down a resolute Athletic Club. Deportivo Alavés meanwhile were held to a stalemate by RCD Espanyol at home, also unable to consistently breakdown their opposition. Getafe CF thrashed Deportivo Alavés 4-0 when these teams last met in January, but they have not beaten Babazorros El Glorioso since 2017 before that fixture.
Real Betis - CD Leganés
Real Betis were on the wrong end of a FC Barcelona hiding at the Camp Nou, losing 5-2 in the most entertaining game of the weekend. Real Betis couldn’t contain the fluent play of a FC Barcelona side without Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, a worrying sign for manager Rubi. They sit dead last after the opening two weeks of LaLiga. CD Leganés are just one place ahead of them after also falling to their second consecutive defeat to begin the new season. CD Leganés are one of two teams yet to score, but their defence has been significantly better than that of Betis’, conceding two goals to Betis’ seven. The home side has won the last six matches between these two sides, with Leganés winning 3-0 when they last played in February.
Valencia CF - RCD Mallorca
Both Valencia CF and RCD Mallorca suffered 1-0 defeats last week, and both in spectacular circumstances. Valencia CF fell to a stunning goal from RC Celta’s Gabriel Fernández, who flicked a low cross with the inside of his boot into the back of the net, while RCD Mallorca were cut apart by a wonderful team goal by Real Sociedad. These two sides haven’t met since 2013 where Valencia CF won 2-0. The away side hasn’t won in this fixture since 2011.
RCD Espanyol - Granada CF
RCD Espanyol just about kept Deportivo Alavés at bay to earn their first point of the season, but their inability to turn possession into chances will be worrying the Barcelona-based side. RCD Espanyol had 65% of the ball against Deportivo Alavés but managed just one shot on target. Granada CF were unable to back up their opening week performance where they managed a 4-4 draw away to Villarreal CF, losing 1-0 at home to Sevilla FC. Like RCD Espanyol, Granada CF failed to produce the quality needed in the final third, finishing with zero shots on target from 12 total attempts on goal. The two sides last met during the 2016/17 season where RCD Espanyol won both fixtures.
Atlético de Madrid - SD Eibar
Atlético de Madrid turned in another typical defensive performance away to CD Leganés last week, claiming their second consecutive 1-0 victory of the season thanks to a 71st minute strike from Vitolo. Record signing Joao Felix continued to show why he is one of the most promising talents in world football, bamboozling the defence and laying a pass on for the striker to finish. SD Eibar travelled to CA Osasuna where the home side extended its unbeaten home run, after going the entire LaLiga SmartBank campaign last season without losing. SD Eibar failed to register a shot on target from 12 attempts at the El Sadar, and face arguably the most daunting home stadium advantage in Spanish football as they head to the fortress that is the Wanda Metripolitano. SD Eibar have never beaten Atlético de Madrid in LaLiga Santander across 10 meetings, and have only managed two draws.
Villarreal CF - Real Madrid CF
Villarreal CF remain winless through their opening two games after falling to Levante UD despite taking the lead in the 3rd minute. The Yellow Submarine were unable to capitalise on Gerard Moreno’s early strike as Roger Martí scored a pair of penalties within five minutes in the second half, with questions being raised about Villarreal CF’s defence. Real Madrid CF were stunned by a late Real Sociedad goal by Sergi Guardiola Navarro in their home opener at the Santiago Bernabéu, which abruptly ended the early season optimism brought on by their 3-1 win away to RC Celta the week before. Anything less than a win could see Real Madrid fall four points adrift of their cross-city rivals Atlético de Madrid after just three matches. Villarreal CF’s recent form against their famous opposition is impressive, winning one, losing one and drawing twice in their last four meetings.
© LALIGA - 2019