Granada v Espanyol
In a fairly boring game, Granada lost 1-0 away to Valladolid last Sunday afternoon. It was their second defeat in a row, leaving the club in 18th position of the 2012/13 Liga BBVA standings.
After losing 2-0 at home to Getafe last weekend, their fourth consecutive defeat in a row, bottom club Espanyol parted company (by mutual consent, they say) with coach Pochettino.
Former Zaragoza and Atletico Madrid manager Javier Aguirre has been appointed as Pochettino’s successor and will look to immediately improve results, starting at Granada this weekend.
In conclusion, there are only two points between these clubs and, with my never oppose a new manager in his first (league) game theory in mind, I think it’s worth chancing that Espanyol avoid defeat today.
Worth a small punt: Espanyol + 0.25 Asian handicap (2.11)
Deportivo La Coruna v Real Betis
Although they were outplayed in the first half, Deportivo equalised in the second and held on to claim a credible point away to Athletic Bilbao at San Mames in round 13. Aquilar, who headed who home Valeron’s cross, was the scorer.
Real Betis, of course, defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in Seville last weekend. As a Betis fan I was very happy with this, but having bet on both teams to score it was a bittersweet feeling! Benat, who’s been fantastic in the Betis midfield for the past two seasons, was the scorer.
With regards to today’s game, Deportivo, with two wins, one draw and three defeats from six games so far, are inconsistent at home and Betis, who have won three, drawn one and lost two on the road, have proved that they can win away.
Therefore, I like an away win. But with Betis having defeated Real Madrid last weekend and also Granada in the Copa midweek, I fear this being one of those games in which Betis take a day off away from their home crowd and lose.
In conclusion, with both teams fielding makeshift defences it seems likely that both will score. Simples, I hope.
Recommendation: Both teams to score (1.73)
Celta de Vigo v Levante
I avoided betting on the game but had calculated that Celta to score was the only thing I trusted when they travelled to Zaragoza last Monday evening. As it happened, Celta won 1-0 and I didn’t make a penny!
Anyway, golden boy Iago Aspas scored Celta’s goal – which, after six defeats in six games prior to last Monday, gave them their first away win of the 2012/13 season. All in all, Celta rode their luck a little but it was a fair victory and they’ll hope road results continue to improve in future rounds.
Celta’s opponents today, Levante, held Barca at bay for the first half of their round 13 clash last weekend, but changed defensive tactics for the second period and quickly shipped four goals.
Most depressingly, considering I had backed and recommended both teams to score, Levante – through Bakero – missed a late penalty.
In conclusion, both teams played draining Copa del Rey matches midweek and both teams respective home and away games usually go under 2.5 goals.
Recommendation: Under 2.5 goals (1.84)
Mallorca v Real Zaragoza
Joaquin Caparros’s Mallorca, who had snapped a six game losing streak by drawing 1-1 away to Celta in round 12, went straight back to losing ways after a 2-0 round 13 defeat away to Rayo in Madrid.
Today’s visitors to San Moix, 13th placed Zaragoza, also lost their round 13 clash – a 1-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo – and will also be desperate to get back to winning ways.
In conclusion, I’d expect a 1 or 2-0 home win, but both teams played midweek Copa and under 2.5 goals may be a smarter play. However, the last three Mallorca home games have contained at least three goals, with Zara’s last three away passing the same mark.For sake of sanity, I’d choose my own pick of under if I had to, but I opt to say no bet here.
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