The Previews of the Weekend

Another week of breathtaking football has come and gone. It has provided its own victors and vanquished. The teams now look forward to their domestic league to pick up points and try and improve their placing.

EPL Previews

Stoke City (14) vs. Arsenal (3)

People talk about Stoke’s atmosphere, but it’s only for the ‘big’ games the fans seem up for… or maybe it’s just me. They’ll definitely class this as a big game and they’ll be up for it. They’ve ruffled a few Arsenal feathers a couple of times at the Brittania and they’ll look to continue that.
The away side has gone off the boil a bit- same as their captain, coincidence?- and they played a really uninspiring game against rivals Chelsea. That game ended in a nil-nil draw. The Gunners are three points ahead of fourth, albeit having played a game more, and they’ll realize the importance of picking maximum points here so they can stay clear of the chasing pack.
Draw…

Wigan Athletic (17) vs. Newcastle United (4)

Wigan have been in a good run of form for a while and that has seen them climb up the table making the relegation battle exciting in the process. They lost their last game so they’ll be looking to put one over Newcastle to maintain the gap between themselves and Bolton Wanderes who have played a game less.
You might have noticed that Newcastle didn’t feature here last week, that’s because they went into fourth with a routine win over Stoke while Spurs lost at Q.P.R. Newcastle seem to be hitting peak form at the right time of the season and they look like they could go on and snatch fourth place.
Away win…

Manchester City (2) vs. Manchester United (1)

City are three points behind United, they have a better goal difference, they seem to have found some form of rhythm and they are at home against their arch-rivals.
Away win…

La Liga BBVA

Real Madrid (1) vs. Sevilla (9)

Real Madrid will be reeling from defeat, on penalties, against Bayern Munich in midweek. Right now, all they have to win is the league and they have a handy seven point gap over second-placed Barcelona after last weekend’s Classico victory.
Sevilla are in with a chance of European competition and in seasons gone by, they might give Madrid a bit of stress.  If they concede less than four in this game, I’ll be shocked.
Home win…

Malaga (4) vs. Valencia (3)

Malaga are the rich kids of La Liga,  apart from the two giants of course, and this season seems like the one in which they’ll make the Champions League. They need the Champions league so they can lure quality players to the team.
As Malaga are the rich kids, Valencia are the not-so-rich kids (putting it mildly) and they usually sell their best player every season. Who’s next to go Soldado?
Home win…

Rayo Vallecano (15) vs. Barcelona (2)

Barcelona have announced that Pep Guardiola has decided not to renew his contract which ends at the end of the season. What else is there to be said relating to this game? Real Madrid will win the title if they beat Sevilla and Barcelona lose. I don’t see that happening.
Away win…