Fansided

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

By Benjamin Barkworth

SEVILLE, SPAIN - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Antonio Mohamed of RC Celta de Vigo reacts during the La Liga match between Sevilla FC and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on October 7, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Antonio Mohamed of RC Celta de Vigo reacts during the La Liga match between Sevilla FC and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on October 7, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
HUESCA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 21: Players of RCD Espanyol celebrate goal during the La Liga match between SD Huesca and RCD Espanyol at El Alcoraz on October 21, 2018 in Huesca, Spain. (Photo by Alvaro Jesus Calvo Lopez/Getty Images)
HUESCA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 21: Players of RCD Espanyol celebrate goal during the La Liga match between SD Huesca and RCD Espanyol at El Alcoraz on October 21, 2018 in Huesca, Spain. (Photo by Alvaro Jesus Calvo Lopez/Getty Images) /

2. Espanyol earn hard-fought Valladolid win

Espanyol’s 2-0 win over Huesca put them in second place heading into La Liga matchday 10. They have gone from being relegation candidates to a well-organized unit capable of challenging for the European places in Rubi’s brief spell in charge. Their form is completely sustainable based on underlying numbers: 13 goals from 12.55 xG and seven goals conceded from 7.76 xGA (expected goals against), according to Understat.

Recently-promoted side Real Valladolid have found form recently with four consecutive wins to take them up to sixth place; three of those were 1-0 wins while the other was 2-1 which highlights how they are edging outs results rather than blowing teams away. This is a promising sign for their long-term safety due to it showing that they have a strong defensive shape that teams find tough to break down. Celta Vigo are the only side to score multiple goals past them.

The two sides are similar in terms of style but Espanyol are more effective at it as well as having better individuals who can make the difference in such a close match. Borja Iglesias has three goals in his last three games and he can add to his tally in this match as he starts to regain the form from his 22-goal season in the Segunda division last season which convinced Espanyol to sign him. However, it’s still likely to be a close game as neither side will make it easy for the other due to their well-organized nature.

Home/La Liga