La Liga is on its way back SBOBET fans, with a start date of 11th June set for the opening fixture, Sevilla vs Real Betis.
It’s been a while coming, but with less than a fortnight to wait we can start to look forward to what promises to be a fantastic climax to the Spanish league season.
Elsewhere in Europe, Liverpool already have a firm hand on the Premier League title, while FC Bayern have strengthened their grip on the Bundesliga; but in Italy, where Juventus and Lazio are preparing to slug it out, and here in La Liga there are two thrilling title races ready to restart.
At the bottom end of the La Liga table there is an almighty scrap for survival while there will be twists and turns to come in the race for Europe.
Let’s take a look at the big battles and make some bold predictions.
Barca to win a third consecutive league
After watching Barcelona win the last two league titles and finishing third last term, Real Madrid have put up a god fight this season. The two teams have been neck and neck since November, and Los Blancos struck a hefty blow in El Clasico, just before the break, winning 2-0 with goals from Vinicius Junior and Mariano. But defeat to Real Betis the following week while Barca beat Real Sociedad put Real Madrid back to square one and two points behind.
Blaugrana head coach Quique Setien was a surprise appointment following the departure of Ernesto Valverde, but he’s steadied the ship, and with Luis Suarez fit to return alongside his captain Lionel Messi, the Catalans are unlikely to give up their advantage.
Champions League spots for Atletico Madrid and Sevilla
If Los Blancos do miss out on the title then they will surely pick up second place, currently nine points ahead of third placed Sevilla. But the next two Champions League places are up for grabs with just five points separating Sevilla from seventh placed Valencia.
With Real Sociedad in fourth and surprise package Getafe in fifth, Atletico Madrid are down in sixth, but I think Diego Simeone’s side has too much experience and quality to miss out. Midfield star Saul Niguez has recently played down rumours of a move and will be a big player in the run-in.
If the La Liga 2020 results go to plan over the next few weeks, then the final top four place could go some way to being decided in Matchweek 37, when Real Sociedad meets Sevilla.
I’m backing Sevilla to take fourth position, especially as Real Sociedad head to the Wanda Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid on the final day.
Getafe and Sociedad qualify for Europa League
Valencia, Villarreal, Granada and Athletic Bilbao, in tenth place, all have realistic hopes of making a Europa League place. Sociedad and Getafe have shown superb consistency throughout the season and I think they’ll qualify for the automatic spots and, with a four point lead over the chasing pack, Valencia should have enough to grab any additional place allocated to the seventh club.
Celta and Leganes to steer clear of Relegation
The La Liga 2020 betting odds can give us a clue, but to pick three relegation candidates isn’t the easiest of tasks, with the entire bottom half of the table at risk, to varying degrees. Osasuna, in 11th place is nine points ahead of Real Mallorca in 18th, another win or two will be enough for Jagoba Arrasate’s men, but they cannot rest easily just yet.
After a 17th placed finish last term Celta Vigo fans hoped for better this season but they sit in that uncomfortable place again. With nine goals and two assists Iago Aspas has once again been Los Celestes’ most likely match-winner. The 32 year old scored the only goal in crucial win over Leganes shortly before the break.
I think 15th placed Real Valladolid could be in danger. Currently four points clear of trouble they need to pick up a couple of early results, before they embark on a sticky run which includes Atletico Madrid, Getafe, Sevilla, Valencia and Barcelona in rapid succession.
Of the bottom three I think Leganes, 20th in November, could battle their way out of trouble. They picked up an impressive win away to Villarreal before the break and if they can catch Valladolid, then I expect Espanyol and Real Mallorca to also take the drop.
Lionel Messi to be top scorer
With 19 goals to his name Messi will be uncatchable if he finishes the season on a hot streak of form, which is a very fair assumption to make. Who can possibly catch him? Well, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema is on 14, and Messi’s fit again team-mate Luis Suarez has 11.
It’s not going to happen!
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