The Flagitious Weekend Predictions, Round 1

So, it all comes down to this. All you have ever been waiting for all summer. Psshh...who cares about World Cup!!! The La Liga's back and kicking! No pun intended.

Hércules vs. Atletíc Bilbao ( 9:00)

The blog has to go with Bilbao on this one. It's not just that TG has a weird notion that Hércules are going to be relegated, but it's Llorente and Iker Munian. We just can't wait to see them play.

Prediction: Hércules 1-2 Atletic Bilbao (away win)
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Málaga vs. Valencia ( 11:00)

Now, this is not a hard one, right?? Wrong. Málaga, no matter how bad this sounds, could pull this off. And this time, there's no Silva lining for Valencia.

Prediction: Málaga 1-1 Valencia (draw)
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Levante vs. Sevilla (13:00)

Two for Kanoute and two for Luis Fabiano. That's what the blog says.

Prediction: Levante 0-4 Sevilla (away win)
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Deportivo vs. Zaragoza (8:00)

Quite a belter. But questions all around. Will Riki be fit for Depor?? Will Pennant play for Zaragoza?? Yes and yes, folks.

Prediction: Deportivo 0-1 Zaragoza (away win)
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Espanyol vs. Getafe (8:00)

If the Spanish press were to revert back to their old ways, under pressure the blog is sure that Espanyol would play at least 10 times better than now. Nothing doing for Getafe. They'll have to do it themselves.

Prediction: Espanyol 3-1 Getafe (home win)
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Real Sociedad vs. Villareal (8:00)

Here is a big chance for Sociedad to prove their worth against a much stronger stuck-in-the-Europa-League Villareal. If Sociedad can pull this off, miracle on high. But all the signs point to ANOTHER away win. Chalk up another for the opponents.

Prediction: Real Sociedad 1-5 Villareal (away win)
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Osasuna vs. Almería (8:00)

Ah, is it a derby match? Perhaps, perhaps not. But what TG knows is....no goals.

Prediction: Osasuna 0-0 Almería (draw)
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Racing Santander vs. Barcelona (10:00)

Here is the biggie. And chalk up another win for the away team. Here's the scoop, kids: Zlatan will score his final two for the club before he is deported of to dirty old Italy, Leo will score a hat-trick, and Pedro might score one.

Prediction: Racing 0-6 Barcelona (away win)
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Mallorca vs. Real Madrid (12:00)

The second to last match of the weekend will see multitudes of falls and dives, as well a knee-knackerd, groin-staggering Káká, and a man who only wants to be known as Cristiano. May the guardian angels all protect us.

Prediction: Mallorca 2-3 Real Madrid (away win)
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Atletíco Madrid vs. Sporting Gijón (13:00)

Probably the least interesting start for Quique Sanchez Flores. You couldn't ask for an easier 3-0 win. Deigo Forlán, two goals. Kün Aguero, one goal.

Prediction At. Madrid 3-0 Sporting ( home win)
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"I'm sorry, Humberto, but could I get some more onions on there..WOAH!! Not that much onion! ¡No! Sólo in poco de cebolla, le dije!!

Spaniards, they just don't understand sometimes. Well, that wraps up the Round 1 Predictions for The Goleador, and on Monday the blog will publish the Heros and Zeroes of the weekend!!

Mourinho faces his first tough assignment at Real's helm

After the UEFA Champions League Draw 2010-2011 earlier today, many Spanish fans were left to ponder on the fate of their team in the Champions League.

Personally, the blog is a fan of Barcelona over Real Madrid, but this time TG has to put it's money on Real Madrid to pull out those amazing last-minute wins and fancy tricks over much tougher opposition than Barça. AC Milan is not a walk in the park, especially playing at the Guiseppe Meazza. But Mou knows a bit or two about those Italians, which obviously means he knows some of their tactics. That could help, eh?

Now, after Barcelona were drawn, it left one or two questions for TG to ponder. But one question at a time. The brain can only
hold so much, right? Anyway, Rubin Kazan have been plucked out of the pot and placed side-by-side with Barcelona. They're bet friends, don't you know???!?! But really, will the Russian curse strike the Catalunyan kings as they face Kazan again?? Bookmakers day maybe, the blog says not this time around.

Valencia. After the downright humiliation of Sevilla, people will start looking to the next in line (Valencia) to see how they will fare. Not to well, as it looks of now. No David in their Villa this year. Looks like the team will have to survive without him. Can't see them progressing any farther than the quarter-finals, really, but maybe after a 10-year wait will Santiago Cañizares actually suprise the blog.

So far into the post, the blog hadn't compained about anything. But there is a time or everything, isn't there? Just when the world was warming up to the fact that the Champions League Draw was on television, Giorgio Marchetti steps in. The hugely impatient Italian was rushing all four of the UEFA Players of the Year as if he had somewhere very important to go... More on that some other time.