La Liga (Spanish League) Prediction Thread 2023/24

[hahay]

EDIT: Thank God, Messi and Fati have come on. I hope it's not too late 

Not even Messi and Fati could save Barca this time round 
Over dependence of specific players is starting to bite hard on Barca... and of course to reaffirm my point, i don't think Griezmann will thrive in Barcelona like he used to in Atletico Madrid.
He shall just see a few glimpses of his capabilities once in a while but perhaps not in matches where it would matter most.

Lol, Barca started the season poorly this time and it is time for Barca not to continue to depend on one or two players because it has clearly seen a very bad impact on the team. Some of the star players they have are still not being put to good use by Barca to eliminate this dependency, this season is very interesting for La Liga, although the point difference is still not far but at least it will become a more competitive league.

[joniboini]

To be honest, this is my first time seeing a team with over 70% possession register less than 10% chances in a match[1].

That being said, Barca didn't defend really well. The first goal happened after they lost possession on their defense area, not enough cover to mark Granada forwards. It's a 3v2 situation and one of the attackers is free. Barca's left their right side free, while the midfield ran slowly to cover the CB. A bit of luck might play on Granada's goal but that's deserved.

Another note for Barca is that Ter Stegen made a really bad save, and might as well become a goal. It's overall a bad day for Barcelona.

[1] https://understat.com/match/12065

[EdenHazard]

To be honest, this is my first time seeing a team with over 70% possession register less than 10% chances in a match[1].

That being said, Barca didn't defend really well. The first goal happened after they lost possession on their defense area, not enough cover to mark Granada forwards. It's a 3v2 situation and one of the attackers is free. Barca's left their right side free, while the midfield ran slowly to cover the CB. A bit of luck might play on Granada's goal but that's deserved.

Another note for Barca is that Ter Stegen made a really bad save, and might as well become a goal. It's overall a bad day for Barcelona.

[1] https://understat.com/match/12065

I even think just because of that posession game they are lost , it's been practiced in the last few years by a team like Barcelona and real Madrid which the oppositions have learned a lot how to counter that kind game style.

Just look at how Barcelona and real Madrid recently getting losses ... both mostly conceded with a simple real quick counter attack. Easy.

I always against the odds but this time unfortunately didn't anticipated this coming ... you guys could get @8.3 odds for Granada to win. Hell I put my money while Barcelona left 0-1 behind with a low odds around @2.1 in hope they could make it a draw or a comeback at least , it's just wasted away.

Another unlucky day for me , I'm sick and sucks these weeks.

[Coyster]

I do not see any upset to happen in this match. 4 - 1 win for Barcelona. 🤪

Well we did see an upset and after i watched Barcelona's Champions League game in the midweek I wasn't actually too surprised with this result. If you ask me I think the coach is yet to bring out the best for this team, I know Messi hasn't been fit, but isn't that the reason they bought Antoine Griezeman, for situations such as this, but he's looking a shadow of himself in a Barcelona jersey.

You can call me anti Valverde, but I've never liked his coaching techniques and his strategies, There were calls from some section of the fans to sack him before the season began, but the board refused to answer those calls, I believe if the team doesn't improve in the coming weeks, Ernesto Valverde could really have his job on the line.

[joniboini]

Just look at how Barcelona and real Madrid recently getting losses ... both mostly conceded with a simple real quick counter attack. Easy.

Yep, they need to fix their defense and transition. You can't defend a counter-attack if you don't run asap. Take a look at Barca's midfield and wing back performance yesterday, it was terrible. Firpo (?) fall after Granada forwards take the ball and yet he didn't stand up asap but stay there hoping for a foul. No surprises when some media rate him with 4 out of 10[1].

You can't play a possession-based football like that, especially if your opponent uses a counter-pressing. If the opponent is way better than Granada, Barca could get crushed easily.

[1] https://tribuna.com/en/fcbarcelona/news/3468426/

[Naida_BR]

EDIT: Thank God, Messi and Fati have come on. I hope it's not too late 

Not even Messi and Fati could save Barca this time round 
Over dependence of specific players is starting to bite hard on Barca... and of course to reaffirm my point, i don't think Griezmann will thrive in Barcelona like he used to in Atletico Madrid.
He shall just see a few glimpses of his capabilities once in a while but perhaps not in matches where it would matter most.

Lol, Barca started the season poorly this time and it is time for Barca not to continue to depend on one or two players because it has clearly seen a very bad impact on the team. Some of the star players they have are still not being put to good use by Barca to eliminate this dependency, this season is very interesting for La Liga, although the point difference is still not far but at least it will become a more competitive league.

Barcelona's performance is totally frustrating.
I didn't expect them to lose from Granada. They have so much difference in quality. I think it is time for Messi to leave the club and maybe go to China. Barcelona needs to rebuild the team without him.

[slaman29]

To be honest, this is my first time seeing a team with over 70% possession register less than 10% chances in a match[1].

That being said, Barca didn't defend really well. The first goal happened after they lost possession on their defense area, not enough cover to mark Granada forwards. It's a 3v2 situation and one of the attackers is free. Barca's left their right side free, while the midfield ran slowly to cover the CB. A bit of luck might play on Granada's goal but that's deserved.

This is Barcelona. Possession is always guaranteed, but the chances never are. I've seen it before and we will continue to see it. Teams that keep possession must also create the chances and if they can't, they get more desperate and lose possession where it matters, and it bites them back as you saw. Teams like Granada didn't get lucky, they just knew where to steal the ball back.

[coinlocket$]

what happened to Barca? Is this the end of the Messi era?

Have they ever lost 2 games in 5games at the start?
Are they playing badly or is just unluck matches? (sometimes happens they the ball doesn't want to enter for any reason)

[Harkorede]

Are they playing badly or is just unluck matches? (sometimes happens they the ball doesn't want to enter for any reason)

They are playing a badly and that's just it. They are times where no matter how you try the ball just doesn't want to go in, Yesterday's game definitely wasn't one of those days, Barcelona registered only a shot on target for the entire 90 minutes of the match. you don't win game just by possessing the ball for entirety of a match.

You can call me anti Valverde, but I've never liked his coaching techniques and his strategies

Tactically, Valverde is a disgrace to modern football of Barcelona's standard. How can you start Roberto, de Jong, Rakitic all in the midfield position at once ? Was he expecting any sort of creativity from such combination ? Individually these are brilliant players but together(In the midfield) it's shooting yourself in the foot.
 
My Observations:
1. Arthur should have started the game, instead of Rakitic / or Roberto, he's more creative and attack minded and could almost fill the void of Alba's absence on the right flank. I'd rather have had Arthur, De Jong and Rakitic...
2. Griezmann doesn't necessarily have to be on the pitch when it's obvious he's playing out of position which renders him rather ineffective.
3. There is no tactical difference bringing in Vidal for Rakitic the latter is only better in air.

#ValverdeOut

[Pab]

What a great Granada game.And now Granada is  La Liga leader
Barca has big trouble to win away games.Look his away results so poor
Messi was injured but it is not  excuse. Real is in poor form
I think that it was mistake to keep Valverde
Barca has new great players but is playing worst .Barca has really great team so what is going on
With that kind of play Barca has no chance in Europe

[rachman mahesa]

What a great Granada game.And now Granada is  La Liga leader

I have to admit Granada is very good game. Although possession of the ball was defeated by Barcelona, but it was not a problem. Because the end result is what we see.

For a while Granda is ranked 1, but we are waiting for the Sevilla match later. If sevilla doesn't get points and Real Madrid get 3 points, then Real Madrid is likely to be at the top of the table.

[dobolspeed3]

what happened to Barca? Is this the end of the Messi era?

However, sooner or later. The messi era will end. If they only hope for messi, it will not improve the situation.

Have they ever lost 2 games in 5games at the start?

If you look at the previous season, Barcelona very rarely lose their points or even difficult to find Barcelona suffered even 2 losses in 5 matches.

Are they playing badly or is just unluck matches? (sometimes happens they the ball doesn't want to enter for any reason)

This is their bad match. They find it hard to find the rhythm back to their game. So this is bad their game is not bad luck.

[Pab]

what happened to Barca? Is this the end of the Messi era?

Have they ever lost 2 games in 5games at the start?
Are they playing badly or is just unluck matches? (sometimes happens they the ball doesn't want to enter for any reason)

Messi  is very good player and will be.But Messi and Barca were greatest when Iniesta and Xavi was playing
By my opinion Iniesta was most inteligent player of his time and there is very hard to replace him
But show must goes on so Barce needs to find solution

[tomahawk9]

Honestly, I doubt that Barca will sack Valverde soon.

Yeah, I think they won't sack him because Messi and the key players in the dressing room really like him.

Are they playing badly or is just unluck matches? (sometimes happens they the ball doesn't want to enter for any reason)

This isn't bad luck, Barcelona are actually really fucking bad right now. Yesterday, they had +70% ball possession but only one shot on target even though they have the likes of Suarez, Griezmann, Messi, etc. I posted yesterday that this is the worst start of the league in over 25 years for Barcelona, that's pretty alarming.

Today: Sevilla vs Real Madrid

Some statistics: 9 out of the last 10 games between both teams ended with over 2.5 goals (6 wins Real, 4 wins Sevilla). Last time RM won at the Sanchez Pizjuan was in 2015 (FT 2-3). Sevilla at home this season: 1 draw. Real Madrid away this season: 1 draw, 1 win.

We need to win today no matter what, hopefully that loss against PSG this week was a wake-up call for Zidane and the players. If we win today, there's no doubt that it'll make things worse for Barcelona and I would love to see more of that " Barcelona crisis" 

[BitcoinGirl.Club]

Big frustration for Barcelona and it's fans. Messi was there, the youngster Fati was there, Suarez was there, Vidal was there but a B grade team like Granada got two goals! Against team like Barcelona! I doubt Barcelona is playing for season title.

In EPL Man U and in La Liga it's Barcelona. R.I.P

Yesterday, they had +70% ball possession

But if you can not capitalize and score then there are no point of passing balls to each others. Too disappointing performance.

[tokeweed]

Honestly, I doubt that Barca will sack Valverde soon.

Yeah, I think they won't sack him because Messi and the key players in the dressing room really like him.

Are they playing badly or is just unluck matches? (sometimes happens they the ball doesn't want to enter for any reason)

This isn't bad luck, Barcelona are actually really fucking bad right now. Yesterday, they had +70% ball possession but only one shot on target even though they have the likes of Suarez, Griezmann, Messi, etc. I posted yesterday that this is the worst start of the league in over 25 years for Barcelona, that's pretty alarming.

Today: Sevilla vs Real Madrid

Some statistics: 9 out of the last 10 games between both teams ended with over 2.5 goals (6 wins Real, 4 wins Sevilla). Last time RM won at the Sanchez Pizjuan was in 2015 (FT 2-3). Sevilla at home this season: 1 draw. Real Madrid away this season: 1 draw, 1 win.

We need to win today no matter what, hopefully that loss against PSG this week was a wake-up call for Zidane and the players. If we win today, there's no doubt that it'll make things worse for Barcelona and I would love to see more of that " Barcelona crisis"  

Oh it's def a wake up call.  Real's midfield is crappy and Zidane doesn't seem to have an idea on how the club should play...  Couple that with Perez holding back on his promise at the summer transfer window and you got a potential disaster of a season imo.

Anyway I root for them.  Hazaaard!

[efialtis]

Honestly, I doubt that Barca will sack Valverde soon.

Yeah, I think they won't sack him because Messi and the key players in the dressing room really like him.

Are they playing badly or is just unluck matches? (sometimes happens they the ball doesn't want to enter for any reason)

This isn't bad luck, Barcelona are actually really fucking bad right now. Yesterday, they had +70% ball possession but only one shot on target even though they have the likes of Suarez, Griezmann, Messi, etc. I posted yesterday that this is the worst start of the league in over 25 years for Barcelona, that's pretty alarming.

Today: Sevilla vs Real Madrid

Some statistics: 9 out of the last 10 games between both teams ended with over 2.5 goals (6 wins Real, 4 wins Sevilla). Last time RM won at the Sanchez Pizjuan was in 2015 (FT 2-3). Sevilla at home this season: 1 draw. Real Madrid away this season: 1 draw, 1 win.

We need to win today no matter what, hopefully that loss against PSG this week was a wake-up call for Zidane and the players. If we win today, there's no doubt that it'll make things worse for Barcelona and I would love to see more of that " Barcelona crisis"  

Oh it's def a wake up call.  Real's midfield is crappy and Zidane doesn't seem to have an idea on how the club should play...  Couple that with Perez holding back on his promise at the summer transfer window and you got a potential disaster of a season imo.

Anyway I root for them.  Hazaaard!

Its funny really that both, Real as well as Barca, seem to be completely out of order... I am cheeeeeeeeeering for Barca though =)

[Rozita]

Sevilla - Real Madrid
Sevilla has won all the 4 past matches against Real Madrid which held in Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Also, they have had a great performance in this season. On the other hand, Real Madrid players and Zidan are under pressure after they couldn't satisfy their fans in previous matches. I think the match will be very difficult for Real Madrid.
My predition is 2-1 Sevilla

[Bitcoin_Arena]

Sevilla - Real Madrid
Sevilla has won all the 4 past matches against Real Madrid which held in Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Also, they have had a great performance in this season. On the other hand, Real Madrid players and Zidan are under pressure after they couldn't satisfy their fans in previous matches. I think the match will be very difficult for Real Madrid.
My predition is 2-1 Sevilla

This is Real Madrid's opportunity to go to the top of the table. It's not going to be an easy Match because Seville will also be eyeing that top spot on top of being at home.

We have also already seen that whenever Barcelona losses points, Real Madrid also tend to relax and lose points. I hope this time they will get serious and perform much better

My prediction is Seville 2:3 Real Madrid
Hazard and Benzema to score 

[Harkorede]

I really don't even know what to expect from the game. However, I don't think Real Madrid will drop any points today.

Sevilla have been quite impressive this season they've won 3 and drew 1, but I don't see them as being invincible. I'll go with 3 - 1 in favour of Real Madrid.