5 bold La Liga predictions: Barcelona to compound Real Madrid’s misery in El Clasico

3. Sevilla thrash Huesca

Pablo Machin’s men were unable to hold on top spot as they fell to a 4-2 defeat against Barcelona in an entertaining encounter last week. Huesca provide some easy opposition to get rid of their frustrations from the last match, though.

The La Liga newcomers sacked Leo Franco as their ambitious style left them wide open with multiple teams taking advantage, although it has to be acknowledged he had the tough task of replacing Rubi, who left the club to manage Espanyol straight after guiding them to their first ever promotion to the top flight. They’ve conceded 20 goals across nine games, but eight of those did come against Barcelona.

Francisco Rodriguez’s first game in charge saw them lose 2-0 to Espanyol, so it appears he hasn’t been able to find a quick fix defensive solution over the international break. Sevilla’s attack is a lot more dangerous than Espanyol’s due to Machin’s use of a 3-5-2 system with Pablo Sarabia acting as a midfielder in the defensive shape. On the counter, this transitions into a 3-4-3 with Sarabia being one of the front three. Ever Banega and Franco Vazquez make up the rest of an attack-minded midfield.

This setup has the firepower to blow teams away while also having the discipline and organization to compete with top teams as seen by the close defeat to Barcelona and 3-0 win over Real Madrid. Huesca are still adapting to their new coach’s methods which are likely to be aimed at creating some defensive solidity, so Los Hispalenses can take advantage of this with their free-flowing attack. They are equally capable of breaking down a low block and transitioning quickly to catch teams on the break so they should blow bottom side Huesca away.