Before the round – Trends on Spain La Liga (08-09/11)

1552

Round No 14 of the La Liga season will kick off on Tuesday night, as a midweek set of fixtures takes place across Spain.

The bottom of the table is congested with teams, including one big named club, Sevilla. Tenth-place Real Valladolid and 19th-place Cadiz are separated by just six points.

Elche CF - Girona FC

Elche’s time in La Liga is slipping away ahead of their midweek match with Girona. Elche are 20th in the standings, while Girona are 14th.

Girona are unbeaten in three straight league games. They are coming off a 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao at the weekend, and Girona will fancy their chances versus the Green Striped Ones.

Elche are the only team in La Liga not to win a match this season. The Green Striped Ones are on a two-game losing streak ahead of the midweek clash. Elche conceded the most goals after 13 matches with 29 allowed.

• Elche CF's form hasn't been good, as the team has won only 3 of their last 23 matches (La Liga).
• In Girona FC's most recent 10 La Liga matches, both teams scored.
• On average, Elche CF have scored 0.69 goals in their last matches in La Liga.
• Girona FC have won only 1 of their last 8 La Liga matches.
• Prediction: Draw @3.20

Athletic Club - Real Valladolid

Athletic Club’s great start to the season is over. The Lions are winless in five of their last six La Liga games. Real Valladolid are 10th and improving by the week. They won three of their last four games in the division.

Athletic Club took a mere five points from the last six games. They scored just five goals and conceded 10 times to their last six opponents.

Real Valladolid picked up 10 points from the last six matches. The Purple scored seven goals and allowed five. Valladolid are not good on the road, however. Their last two away games ended in defeat.

• Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten in 13 of their last 16 home matches in La Liga.
• On average, Real Valladolid have scored 0.83 goals in their last away matches in La Liga.
• Athletic Bilbao have achieved just 1 wins in their 6 most recent games in La Liga.
• Real Valladolid have achieved just 1 wins of their last 6 away La Liga games.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @2.00

Espanyol – Villarreal

The last six games between Espanyol and Villarreal in all competitions were divided into two wins, two draws, and two losses apiece. Last season, Villarreal went unbeaten picking up four points from six from Espanyol.

Villarreal lost manager Unai Emery at the start of the month. He started life well at Aston Villa. However, Villarreal are paying for his departure. The Yellow Submarine are on a two-game losing streak.

Espanyol are winless in four straight games. However, they drew each of their last three matches in the league. The Parakeets are just one point above the relegation zone.

• RCD Espanyol have achieved just 2 wins of their last 20 La Liga games.
• A goalless run of 6 away games in their latest La Liga matches marks Villarreal CF's league campaign.
• In their last 7 games in La Liga, RCD Espanyol have recorded 6 undefeated encounters.
• A run of 3 straight away defeats makes the most recent matches in La Liga of Villarreal CF.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @1.80

RCD Mallorca - Atletico Madrid

Mallorca shocked Atletico Madrid twice last season, picking up a 2-1 away win and a 1-0 home victory. On Wednesday, the Islanders will welcome Atletico Madrid as they go in search of a third straight victory over the capital club.

Atletico are winless in two of their last three games. Serious questions are being asked about Diego Simeone’s tactics and ability to lead Atletico forward. Los Rojiblancos still picked up 11 points from the last six matches, scoring nine goals and allowing seven.

Mallorca took eight points from the last six games, scoring six times and conceding five goals. The Islanders are unbeaten in their last three fixtures.

• Real Mallorca have achieved just 1 wins in their 6 most recent home games in La Liga.
• In Atlético Madrid's most recent 6 all competitions matches, both teams scored.
• Real Mallorca are unbeaten in 9 of their 11 most recent home clashes against Atlético Madrid in La Liga.
• There have been over 2.5 goals in 3 of the latest away all competitions matches of Atlético Madrid.
• Prediction: Atletico Madrid @2.10