And another set of matches about to start…

Flash edition of the Quiniela, as we have minimal time to assimilate what happened over the weekend – Phil did here – and we already have a new set of matches starting this evening. Matches without public aren’t much fun, but we’re getting a few every day to compensate.

Shall we? As usual, it’s ‘1’ for a home win, ‘X’ for a draw and ‘2’ for an away win.

1. Levante (12th) – Sevilla (3rd): 2. 15/06, 19:30

If we can draw any conclusions after just one weekend of La Liga – although the Bundesliga seems to offer similar data – it looks as though the lack of public makes things easier for the more talented teams, especially playing away from home.

Sevilla looked ready vs Betis on Thursday, even though Levante came back in decent shape and got a miraculous draw in the 8^th minute of extra time,

I believe that the visitors’ will make their deeper bench count now that matches start to mount. They also had one more day to rest.

2. Betis (13th) – Granada (9^th): 2. 15/06, 22:00

I did not like at all what I saw from Betis last Thursday. Except for the first 10 minutes, they looked lost, with no confidence, and their coach / bench did not react to what was going on on the pitch. Worrying signs and not much time to react for the Verdiblancos. The opposite happened with Granada, who came from behind to defeat one of the toughest visitors of LaLiga in a very convincing second half. Gutsy call, I know, but I’ll go for a ‘2’.

3. Getafe (5th) – Espanyol (20th): 1. 16/06, 19:30

My faith in Abelardo paid off during the weekend, but I’m no fool. Getafe will come back to their winning ways after their defeat in Granada. Mr Bordalás will make sure of it.

4. Villarreal (8th) – Mallorca (18th): 1. 16/06, 19:30

Huge win for Villarreal at Vigo, not only because of the result, but especially because of the way they played. That’s the Villarreal we wanted to see all season, and if they’ve indeed come back firing all cylinders, there’s not much Mallorca can do to stop them.

5. Barcelona (1st) – Leganés (19th): 1. 16/06, 22:00

On Saturday, Messi looked like he was dying to come back and play some football, so I guess this settles the outcome of this and most of the upcoming matches until the end of the season. The depleted Leganés will look at Braithwaite and ponder what could have been with him in the side…

6. Eibar (16th) – Athletic de Bilbao (10th): 2. 17/06, 19:30

This Basque derby does not look very appealing. Neither side came back on top shape, and they’re both really far away from their respective season objectives. I’ll revert to the “the more talented side wins more often away from home” effect of these fan-less matches and pick Athletic to get all three points.

7. Valladolid (14th) – Celta (17th): 1. 17/06, 19:30

Humongous win by Valladolid at Leganes, which probably means that they will lose at home to Celta, as they’re unable to win twice in a row since time immemorial. The thing is that Celta convey such a depressing feeling on the pitch that I’m going to get roped in by the hosts and bet on a home win. If they fail to defeat Celta, I’ll bang my head against the wall violently, like the idiot I am.

8. Osasuna (11th) – Atlético de Madrid (6th): X. 17/06, 22:00

Two consecutive away matches for Atletico is not what the doctor order for Simeone’s team. Last win away from home happened in December, and they only have three of those to their name after 14 matches as a visitor. Also, they played like crap in Bilbao, so not much to hang on to and pick them to win.

Osasuna came back from the break exactly as they left: they play as though their lives depend on it. They will indeed lose a few points without their faithful in the stadium, and they are really limited offensively, so let’s go for an ´X´. If that happens, it would be Atleti’s 14^th draw of the season. Not good enough if you want to challenge for a top-three finish.

9. Alavés (15th) – Real Sociedad (4th): 2. 18/06, 19:30

This is a ‘2’, and probably the result I’m more sure of. Alavés will feel the lack of fans, and Real Sociedad will easily exploit the space the hosts are bound to leave at their back. The Realistas did not look as good as they had before the CoVid break, but the talent is still there and they have plenty of options to drive Alavés’ defence completely nuts.

10. Real Madrid (2nd) – Valencia (7th): 1. 18/06, 22:00

I can’t emphasize enough how much I HATE not being able to watch this one live at the Bernabeu. The dislike between these two teams has grown so much in the last few years that this is now a must among the list of fixtures every year. Even if Valencia are not on their best form right now, they always find an extra gear to make Real Madrid’s life miserable, and their good performances at the Bernabeu have cost the hosts dearly, more than a few times recently.

I still favour the hosts, but I guarantee you that this will not look like a friendly. Must watch!

Last weekend: 6/10 (60%)

As usual, if you want to share your picks with us, be our guest.

1. Levante (12th) – Sevilla (3rd):
2. Betis (13th) – Granada (9^th):
3. Getafe (5th) – Espanyol (20th):
4. Villarreal (8th) – Mallorca (18th):
5. Barcelona (1st) – Leganés (19th):
6. Eibar (16th) – Athletic de Bilbao (10th):
7. Valladolid (14th) – Celta (17th):
8. Osasuna (11th) – Atlético de Madrid (6th):
9. Alavés (15th) – Real Sociedad (4th):
10. Real Madrid (2ndth) – Valencia (7th):