Spain La Liga - Match Day 19

The La Liga season resumed play last weekend with a flurry of highly entertaining matches, now Match Day 19 is set too try and duplicate the previous weeks high standard of excellence.

League Leaders Barcelona head line the card, as they make their annual trip too the Basque country with a showdown with a staggering Real Sociedad club, with a win and a stumble from Atletico Madrid the Catalans could top the group by astounding 12 points too start the new year.

Real Madrid will share the spotlight during Round 19, the Whites have been unpredictable at best with mind boggling results during the 2017-2018 campaign, a visit from the Yellow Submarines of Villarreal could prove too be a tricky proposition for Los Blancos.

The round once again offers up several investment options, locating the best value on the board each week is the goal, sit back and enjoy yet another prosperous weekend of La Liga Santander fixtures.

15804 Girona - 15805 Las Palmas

Estadi Montilivi, Girona, Spain

1-13-2018 - 7:00 am ET

Saturdays schedule kicks off with newly promoted Girona looking too continue their fairy tale ride, they are set to host arguably the worst club in the La Liga table too date.

Game one on the dockets should be a great watch, with plenty of action set to be displayed over a 90 minute span.

Las Palmas enter Match Day 19 having endured yet another gut wrenching defeat, the Canary Islanders took a 1-0 lead into the second half against Basque side Eibar, before ultimately relinquishing the lead within a three minute span, dropping the fixture 1-2 in front of their faithful followers.

Las Palmas will step into Catalan Country holding the 20th place in the La Liga table, with an overall record of 2-3-13 and 11 points the Islanders have now tallied a -26 goal differential as a result of their torrid performances.

Manager Paco Jémez made his return too La Liga with a less than memorable result, the Las Palmas native returned from a short stint with Cruz Azul in Mexico as part of Liga MX, the top flight veteran took another punishing result during midweek play, falling too Valencia 4-0 during Copa Del Rey proceedings..

Jémez has looked too incorporate long through balls and hopeful crosses in his plan of attack, expect Las Palmas to attempt a high number of long range shots while in their opponents side of the pitch,the new head man will request a heavy amount of ball possession in his 4-2-3-1 formation, while asking his few skilled players too create offense through individual play.

Paco will ask alot of Midfielder Jonathan Viera within his complex system, the long standing play-maker was rested midweek ahead of this particular fixture, Viera embodies all the qualities Jémez looks for with accurate through ball and precise passing, his 1v1 play and creative instincts allow for the Islanders too stay competitive each time he takes too the pitch.

Las Palmas have failed too hit the back of the net in 7 of their 9 away fixtures, while averaging 0.6 goals per match in their last 9 La Liga road games.

The Las Palmas defense continues to be weakness, conceding an average of 2.1 goals per match in their last 9 La Liga road games.

Girona starts the round off two tough losses after a descent run of form, the tiny Catalan club now look too rebound and get back too their winning ways against the Islanders from Las Palmas.

"Blanquivermell" hold an overall record of 6-5-7, good for 13th place with 23 points in the Santender table, the minnow squad have high hopes of surviving the 2017-2018 season and avoiding relegation back into the second division of Spanish competition.

Manager Pablo Machin has been responsible for leading club to success on the field, while behind the scenes the Guardiola brother's have invested both their time and money into turning around a once failing side, their vision has lead to a successful product whom play with confidence, no matter the opponent they line up against week to week.

Machin has found nice cohesion with his 3-4-3 - 3-5-2 formation, Attacking Midfielder Christian Stuani continues to be a consistent component in the starting eleven, his dibbling ability is above average while playing off his teammates with quick short passes too effectively break down the opposing backlines, he is also a accomplished finisher netting 6 goals in all competitions, allowing for a valuable piece at the top of the Girona line.

Forward Christian Stuani is still considered the the main vocal point of the opposition, the veteran Urugian is flourishing in Machin's style of play, he fits perfectly into the system as he seems too be in the right place at the right time, he is a renowned finisher with a deadly Aerial assault, his passing skills are also underrated, using quick one two passing and precise flick on's to add too his already valuable game.

Stuani has converted 9 total goals in La Liga play giving him the distinction of a true danger man, he is a true force to be reckoned with in the Girona attack.

Consider Stuani a true candidate for Anytime Goal Scorer, against a Las Palmas side that struggle too contain set piece plays and Aerial finishers.

Girona have had their struggles at home scoring consistently, but the Catalan side are still averaging 1.1 goal per match during their last 9 La Liga home games.

The Girona back line have had a few issues at home, conceding an average of 1.4 goals per match during their last 9 La Liga home games.

Prediction:

Both clubs are similar in their attack, we should see both sides looking too get their frontline attackers out and running expecting long passing and searching through balls, Girona should have a added advantage having played within their style of play longer, as the Islanders are learning how too produce in Pacos system.

With Las Palmas playing midweek, their lack of focus and desire could begin to evaporate the longer the match plays out, while Girona will continue too run them in hopes of exhausting the visitors over the 90 minutes span.

Las Palmas have dropped 14 out of their last 16 away matches, while conceding 2 plus goals in 12 of their last 13 away fixtures, expect the home side too take full advantage of the visitors dysfunction.

I will back the home side to bag 2 plus goals, while picking up the victory in a high score line.

 Plays:

Over 1 -130 / 1.77 - Total 1st Half Goals

 Over 1.5 -110 / 1.91 - Total 2nd Half Goals

 Over 2.75 -115 / 1.87 - Total Full Game Goals

 Girona  -0.75 -110 / 1.91 - Full Game Spread

 Girona - Team Total Over 1.75 -110 / 1.91 - Goals

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  +100 / 2.0

15807 Real Madrid - 15808 Villarreal

The Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain

1-13-2018 - 10:15 am ET

The marquee match up on Saturday sees the Royal Whites playing host to the Yellow Submarines, a top six clash is sure too treat the loyal supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid must grab a positive result too keep pace with a Barcelona side that have began too run away with the title.

Villarreal make the trip too the Whie House in need of a positive result themselves, after failing too grab all 3 points aginst Deportivo La Coruna their last time out, a late equilizer let the Deportivo side leave town with a 1-1 draw.

Villarreal have still been impressive regardless of their latest misstep, holding an overall record of 8-4-6 they have retained the 6th position in the table with 28 points to date.

Manager Javier Calleja was handed the reigns of the club after the early season sacking of Fran Escribá, he has since produced a record of 6-3-3 during his brief tenure in the top flight of Spanish football.

Calleja has introduced his own philosophies in formation, choosing to field a 4-4-2 - 4-3-1-2 alignment with that is also dangerous on the counter attack and long through balls, Villarreal much like Real Madrid will look too get out and run when given the opportunity, making for a exciting match up when these two clubs take too the pitch.

The Yellow Submarines front line duo of Cedric Bakambu and Colombian Striker Carlos Bacca have proved too be formidable partnership, the Villarreal danger men have netted 22 goals in all competition's with their excellent finishing abilities.

Villarreal have been effective placing the ball in the back of the net away from home, scoring an average 1 goals per match in their last 10 La Liga road games.

The Villarreal defense will be tested, as they have struggled keeping their opponenets off the board during their travel's, conceding an average of 1.4 goals per match in their last 10 La Liga road games.

Real Madrid have continued too stumble out of the gate by their high standards, compiling a lack luster record of 9-5-3 has earned them 4th place in the La Liga table with 32 points through the first 18 rounds of play, Los Blancos currently sit 16 points adrift of the Catalan Giants.

Zinedine Zidane enters this match up deep in scrutiny regarding his lifeless his tactics, after two seasons of unquestioned excellence, the French man has now began too face his own mortality.

Zidane has been relentless in his style of game regardless of who takes too the pitch, the Whites will attack their opponents in many different ways, as they are extremely dangerous in counter attacking situations with clever through balls, expect Madrid to play through both the middle and specifically down the left hand side of the pitch, with excellent handlers of the ball they generally win the possession battle while enjoying the bulk of the time in their opposition's side of the pitch.

Los Blancos will produce a a high number of shot's on goal, with individual talent that can create opportunities from both inside and outside of the box, long range shots have been a crucial part to their overall game plan.

Expect too see the home side in a 4-3-1-2 formation, with no significant injuries in the normal rotation we should see the strongest possible side available, Midfielder Isco is scheduled to earn a spot in the starting eleven, he will be responsible for handling the majority of the play-making roles behind their star striker tandem, he possess individual qualities that allows Zidane too trust them to express those skills when when given the opportunity to shine for the club.

Real Madrid have seen double figures in 20 or their last 24 league matches at the Santiago Bernabéu, while scoring an average of 2.1 goals per match in their first 9 La Liga home games.

The Madrid defense has been consistent on their own pitch, while conceding an average of 1 goals per match in their first 9 La Liga home games.

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Prediction:

Real Madrid has owned this series while at the The Santiago Bernabéu, going undefeated in their last 16 matches against visiting Villarreal sides.

We should expect the Royal Whites too control the bulk of the possesion in this fixture, while playing on Villareals side of the pitch for much of this match up.

Both clubs will look too get out and run, as counter attacking football is a huge part of both squads plan of attack, we should expect too see a goal from this type of offensive threat.

Los Blancos will also have a added advantage in set piece - direct free kick situations, with towering figures in the box with world class service, a goal being generated from this method of attack is also a safe bet in this particular fixture.

The visitors have been good for at least one away goal during their travekls, expect that trend too continue in this high scoring top six match up.

Plays:

Over 1.5  -120 / 1.83 - Total 1st Half Goals

Over 2  -115 / 1.87 - Total 2nd Half Goals

Over 3.75  -120 / 1.83 - Total Full Game Goals

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -125 / 1.8

Real Madrid  -0.75  -125 / 1.8 - 1st Half Spread

Villarreal - Team Total Over 0.75  -135 / 1.74 - Goals

Real Madrid - Team Total Over 2.75  -120 / 1.83 - Goals

*Bonus Plays*

15813 Deportivo La Coruna - 15814 Valencia

 1-13-2018 - 2:45 pm ET

Over 1  -135 / 1.74 - Total 1st Half Goal

 Over 2.75  -110 / 1.91 - Total Full Game Goals

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  +100 / 2.0

 Valencia - Team Total Over 1.25  -125 / 1.8 - Goals

  Deportivo La Coruna - Team Total Over 1 -120  / 1.83 - Goal

Best Of Luck To All