La Liga: Matchday 34 Preview

La Liga 1 May 2009 | 0 Comments

Yes this is the big Clasico week, but there are other great games going on. The final stretch is here, and teams will fight for final positioning and to get into the European spots or remain in the top flight of Spanish football.

Villareal vs Sevilla

Date and Time: 5/2/09 4:00 pm (EST)

Ref: Iturralde Gonzalez

Stadium: El Madrigal, Villareal

If this game were played any other week beside this Clasico week, this would be the main event of the matchday. This game will be one of those to determine who will represent La Liga next year in the Champions League. Both Clubs will play this game as a final, they need this points to get that final spot. El Submarino Amarillo is currently in 5^th place, two points behind Sevilla who are in 3^rd place. After losing three in a row in La Liga and getting eliminated from the Champions league by Arsenal, Villareal are now on a two game winning streak. Villareal did lose to Sevilla in Matchday 15, but that was at the Sanchez Pizjuan. That gives Sevilla some confidence, but after losing to three in a row against Valencia, Barcelona, and Real Madrid with a goal differential in those games of negative eight, the defense has to step up or Luis Jimenez could be getting fired if this game is not won, as that would place them outside of the Champions league spot. The only good news for Sevilla is that after this game they are done with their gauntlet of La Liga’s top teams. After the clasico, make sure to tune in to this one as it promises to be a thriller. I say Villareal wins 3-1.

Espanyol vs Valencia

Date and Time: 5/3/09

Ref: Clos Gomez

Stadium: Lluis Companys, Barcelona

Both teams have a little something riding on this game.Valencia, who will know the result of the Villareal-Sevilla game by the start of this, will try to get a win that would solidify their place in the Champions League. Los Che are on a six match unbeaten streak having won 5 of those games. Valencia’s keeper Cesar is still doubtful for the match, meaning Renan could make a comeback from injury this week, after he made statement saying he was ready to play. If Unai Emery decides he is not ready, Guaita a young inexperienced keeper could debut in La Liga. Last time Valencia played Espanyol in the Mestalla, Los Che cameback from a zero to one deficit to win with a late goal from Vicente. Los Periquitos of Manuel Pochettino are doing the impossible, from having been in last place to now holding the 16^th spot in the standings, which means they are safe, for now. They must keep on getting results and stay focused, for any slip can put them back in the relegation zone. Montjuic will see a pack stadium for this game on Sunday. I see Valencia shutting up the crowd, 1-2 Valencia win.

Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid

Date and Time: 5/3/09 3:00 pm (EST)

Ref: Alvarez Izquierdo

Stadium: Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, Sevilla

Another Relegation contender versus a team aspiring for a Champions League spot. This match has the tag of defense optional. They are ranked next to each other in the Goals allowed side of the table with Atletico having conceded Fifty-four goals and The Verdiblancos fifty-three, both teams near the bottom. Atletico have been really good one week bad the next. They were good last week, so do not expect much this week. When they played in Matchday 15, the team from the capital won 2-0. But don’t expect that to happen again. Betis are going to be at home, with a crowd demanding a victory because if they were to lose, the relegation zone would be right on their tails. Nogue’s team will lose to bounce back from a three game losing streak. This game could also be the debut for the young pearl of the Racing youth system, Cañas. Nogue is speaking highly of the youngster and he is widely expected to start, and the midfielder will get his first experience in an official game. This game promises to be the most entertaining of the week with a lot of goals. Watch for Betis to win 4-2 over Los Colchoneros.

The rest of the games:

Numancia vs Malaga

Date and Time: 5/2/09 4:00 pm (EST)

Ref: Gonzalez Vazquez

Stadium: Los Pajaritos, Numancia

Prediction: Numancia 1-2 Malaga