Features

2024/25 LaLiga Table Predictions after Real Madrid and Barcelona drop points
16Dec By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

2024/25 LaLiga Table Predictions after Real Madrid and Barcelona drop points

Quietly, LaLiga is back to being the most entertaining league in world football, with the possible exception of Serie A, as there is another heated three-way title race with an entirely wide open battle for European places and an intriguing relegation battle. It is difficult to separate any of the teams in competition with each other, and there is plenty of superstar power in this league with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Vinicius Junior, Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski, and Luka Modric bridging generations and providing highlight-reel plays on a weekly basis. After 17 Matchdays and more dropped points for both Real Madrid and Barcelona, let's take a look at the latest predicted LaLiga table with a surprise twist at the top. 20. Valencia 19. Real Valladolid 18. Espanyol 17. De...
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3 burning questions for Real Madrid after a 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano
16Dec By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

3 burning questions for Real Madrid after a 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid were unable to get the full three points on the road on Saturday at the Vallecas, suffering yet another defensive collapse in a 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano that could have easily been a loss if it weren't for some opportunistic moments from their star players. Going forward, serious questions need to be asked of Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid, because even though they are actually closer in the title race after Barcelona's own bleeding continued with a ghastly 1-0 loss to Leganes, Real, in comparison to the main Champions League title contenders, still look a step below their usual standard. Here are three burning questions for Real Madrid following a subpar showing against one of their local rivals. Why isn't Raul Asencio playing? For the life of my, I cannot compreh...
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Real Madrid Player Ratings from a 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano
14Dec By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

Real Madrid Player Ratings from a 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano

Any match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano at the Vallecas has the opportunity to be a classic, and this pre-Christmas battle between the local rivals proved to be no exception. It looked like Real Madrid would be on the embarrassing side of a blowout after falling behind 2-0 early due to some grievous defensive errors, but two goals from out of nowhere changed the game, specifically another trademark bomb from the blue from midfielder Fede Valverde. Real Madrid then would take a 3-2 lead after Rodrygo Goes scored a deflected goal from range, as the ersatz for an injured Kylian Mbappe and a resting Vinicius Junior proved to be vital in Real avoiding a loss. That lead was short-lived, though, and as Vini Jr. and reinforcements came in late in the game with the score at 3-3, R...
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2024/25 Ballon d’Or Power Rankings after Vinicius Jr. dazzles in return from injury
13Dec By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Champions League, Features

2024/25 Ballon d’Or Power Rankings after Vinicius Jr. dazzles in return from injury

Real Madrid got back to winning ways in the Champions League with a 3-2 triumph over Serie A leaders Atalanta, and Vinicius Junior played a starring role upon his return from injury with a goal and an assist from out of nowhere to turn a 1-1 game into a decisive 3-1 lead for the Merengues. After Vinicius Jr. felt snubbed by the Ballon d'Or voters in the 2023/24 season, he is out for his revenge in 2024/25 with the path cleared after reigning winner Rodri suffered a season-ending ACL tear. Where does Vinicius Jr. rank among the Ballon d'Or favorites right now? Do any Real Madrid players join him? And could the prestigious award be headed back to Barcelona amidst their attacking outburst under Hansi Flick? Here are the updated top 10 rankings after 6 Champions League Matchdays have ...
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3 matchups that will decide Real Madrid at Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 17
13Dec By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

3 matchups that will decide Real Madrid at Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 17

After scoring a combined six goals against Girona and Atalanta in their last two games to score two vital victories and bounce back from a tough 2-1 loss at San Mames vs. Athletic Club, Real Madrid have another tough road trip on tap this weekend against Rayo Vallecano. Even though Rayo are in the bottom half of the LaLiga table, they pose a threat to any top side in the country and have some of the most recognizable names in the league in veterans Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia, and even center back Florian Lejeune. So before the match on Saturday night, let's break down the key matchups that will decide this rivalry encounter on Matchday 17 between the second-best team in the league and the 12th. LB Fran Garcia vs. RW Jorge de Frutos Jorge de Frutos is a really interesting player, an...
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2024/25 LaLiga Matchday 17 score predictions for every game
13Dec By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

2024/25 LaLiga Matchday 17 score predictions for every game

After beating Girona 3-0 and watching Barcelona drop points to Real Betis, Real Madrid have a game in hand and are within three points of the top spot in LaLiga, completing a furious comeback after an embarrassing 4-0 loss to the Blaugrana in El Clasico. This weekend, local rivals Rayo Vallecano beckon with Real Madrid riding high offensively after putting up three goals against Serie A leaders Atalanta in Vinicius Junior's return from injury. Real Madrid lost Kylian Mbappe to injury along the way, but they should still like their chances of nabbing all three points on the road at the Vallecas, though we all know how tough Rayo can be. Rivals Barcelona are up against lowly Leganes to end the weekend and are also favored to land all three points, while Atletico Madrid are up agains...
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2024/25 Champions League Power Rankings: Where do Real Madrid stand after beating Atalanta?
12Dec By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Champions League, Features

2024/25 Champions League Power Rankings: Where do Real Madrid stand after beating Atalanta?

Another week of Champions League action is in the books, and there were two particularly enthralling games fought by both LaLiga giants. First, Real Madrid outlasted Atalanta 3-2 on Tuesday night to get their first win in the Champions League since October, while Barcelona outgunned German giants Dortmund - finalists last season - in another 3-2 result. There were plenty of other big fixtures elsewhere, too, such as Juventus sending 2022/23 champions Manchester City further into a tailspin with a 2-0 victory and Liverpool squeaking by LaLiga underdogs Girona 1-0. Let's take a look at where Real Madrid stand among the favorites after finally getting back in the win column, while also objectively taking stock of all the other Champions League contenders in 2024/25. 8. Bayer Leverkusen...
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3 Real Madrid players who must shine against Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 17
12Dec By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

3 Real Madrid players who must shine against Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 17

After losing 2-1 to Athletic Club, Real Madrid bounced back with a 3-0 win over Girona, and they followed that up with three more goals against Atalanta in the Champions League, winning their first game in the competition since Oct. 22 against Borussia Dortmund. So Real Madrid are riding a high coming into Saturday's LaLiga fixture against local rivals Rayo Vallecano at the Vallecas. Here are three players on Los Merengues who must shine in order for the Merengue club to snag all three points. LW Vinicius Junior Vinicius Junior is by far the most important player to watch on Real Madrid with Kylian Mbappe out injured and Rodrygo Goes starting in the middle, because as we saw against Atalanta with his goal and assist from out of nowhere, he is the one with the ability to make the diffe...
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Real Madrid Predicted Starting XI vs. Rayo Vallecano for Matchday 17 of LaLiga
11Dec By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

Real Madrid Predicted Starting XI vs. Rayo Vallecano for Matchday 17 of LaLiga

After outlasting Atalanta 3-2 on Tuesday night in the latest battle between the reigning Champions League and Europa League winners, Real Madrid will have another stern test ahead of them this weekend in Rayo Vallecano. Although Real's local rivals sit just 12th in the LaLiga table, Rayo are an example of the idea that, on any given day, any team in LaLiga is capable of beating anyone else, including the top clubs. Real Madrid are within shouting distance of Barcelona at the top of the table after beating Girona 3-0, while the Blaugrana sputtered to a 2-2 draw against another decent mid-table side in Real Betis. Before Real Madrid travel to the Vallecas on Saturday to take on Rayo, let's take a look at how their starting lineup could look on Matchday 17 of LaLiga. GK Thibaut Cour...
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3 stars and 1 flop from Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory vs. Atalanta
11Dec By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Champions League, Features

3 stars and 1 flop from Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory vs. Atalanta

After terrible losses to AC Milan and Liverpool in the Champions League, Real Madrid made a vital statement on Tuesday night in Bergamo by beating the best team in Italian football this season, Atalanta, 3-2. It was a nail-biting match, with Atalanta nearly equalizing in the dying minutes. But Real Madrid held on with more heroics from the superstar duo of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, overcoming an injury to early-goal hero Kylian Mbappe. Here are the biggest stars and flops for Real Madrid from their latest Champions League performance. Star: CM Jude Bellingham The biggest star of the night was definitely Jude Bellingham. He wore the No. 5 kit proudly in northern Italy and produced a sublime all-around midfield performance that is typical of what he can do as the modern-da...
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