Espanyol, Santander, Villarreal

[TONNY]

Spanish Primera
1. Levante v Villareal
Villarreal are in third place of the Spanish Primera at two points from Barcelona, who play today and also at three points above Athletico Madrid who won last night. The win today will therefore be most useful to consolidate Villarreal’s position towards an excellent finish this season.

They are on a good run of six unbeaten games (DWWDWW). Their only two losses from last ten games came before that streak and were short 1-0 defeats away at high-flying Barcelona and at Russian team Zenit in the European Cup. Villareal scored two goals in each of their last four wins of which two were 2-1 away wins on Ath Bilbao and on no less than Barcelona.

Villarreal should be able to overcome rock-bottom Levante at their visit there today despite the latter’s good performance at home.
Overall Levante lost three (LWLL) of last four games of which last two in succession conceding 10 goals againt 2 scored in the three defeats. They lost last game 3-0 at Athletico Madrid.

Levante are however unbeaten in four of last five homes (LDDWW) and will look to extend this record. They lost at home to Getafe. But Villarreal for their part are better away than most other teams and show WLWW in last four away including the defeat at Zenit and the win on Barcelona.

I believe that Villarreal can win here. I take the away win.

2. Racing Santander v Recreativo Huelva – Home win

Santander show (DWLWWLD) in last seven games. Two of these losses were away at Getafe and the last draw was at home also against in-form Getafe whom they played thricein these seven games. They managed a draw against Villareal and won on Almeria, Valladolid and Betis. At home they do well and will deliver a great game when hosting third-bottom Huelva today.

The latter won last game at home 4-2 on very poor Murcia but prior to this win were on two losses including a 7-1 thrashing by Mallorca two games ago. Huelva have been rather poor lately and show in last ten (3W-2D-5L) winning only on poor Murcia, Espanyol who was on a bad spell and La Coruna. Huelva have shown a frail defense conceding twelve goals in last three games defeated 3-2 by Real Madrid, 7-1 by Mallorca and two goals in the 4-2 on very poor Murcia.

I believe they will show some resistance at Santander but will be short in that game.
Santander won 3-0 on 16th placed Betis three games ago and can score more than one here. Santander won 4-3 at last visit of Huelva. I choose the home win with the -1/2 ball asian handicap.

3. Real Murcia v Espanyol – Away win

Since the beginning of the year Espanyol suffered a bad spell of six defeats for one win in seven games (LLLWLLL) before resuming with a win in March at home on mid-table Valencia. They subsequently lost away at Real Madrid and finally last Sunday bounced back by another victory on in-form Mallorca. This win has given much confidence to the team, now satisfied that their hope to get an European ticket is still alive. They will therefore go all out, as promised coach Valverde, to get the three points at their visit at declining second-bottom Murcia. They are expecting to be able to have a lift in the tables and leapfrog Sevilla into fifth place.

Their hosts Murcia are second-bottom and on decline. They have lost last five in a row conceding eleven goals in last three for only two scored in last 4-2 defeat by thid-bottom Huelva. These two goals were the only ones scored by Murcia in last five games. From last ten they won only one six game ago, drew one and lost eight. Murcia are so poor currently and might be short faced to Espanyol this Sunday.

However, Espanyol he will have to do with some casualties, whereas other players, such as Ewerthon and Serrán could also be out, after the little injuries they suffered during training session. But I think they won’t miss the boat and will pick up the three points. I take the away win.

[FaR33]

well...murcia crushed them...4:0
congrat. on barca and villareal..I played them too, but betis messed me up.....