#RevistaPredictor - Matchday 10
Friday 27 October 2017 13:22, UK
It is a big week as we head into Matchday 10 in La Liga, with the #RevistaPredictor offering up the top three sides to tempt some big-score predictions.
The Predictor has tried to avoid the "Big Two" for a while, but this weekend, it's go big or go home - in fact, go away from home.
Barcelona, Valencia and Real Madrid are all on the road, with the top two sides in the Basque country, and the champions over in Catalonia.
MATCH 1 - Alaves v Valencia
It is no surprise that all of our experts have gone for an away win - Alaves have not only been poor this season, but they're joint-lowest home scorers along with fellow strugglers Eibar, and Valencia are absolutely flying under Marcelino. Despite the absence of suspended captain Dani Parejo, Valencia should win this game relatively comfortably, with myself and David Phillips forecasting Rodrigo as first goalscorer, while Jon Driscoll and Kevin Keatings are going for the man who is second only to Lionel Messi in the Pichichi standings, Simone Zaza. It's not critical just yet for Alaves, but the likes of Bojan and Munir need to start delivering at the Estadio Mendizorrotza if they're to start climbing the table.
MATCH 2 - Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona
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It's interesting that two of the pundits have backed the draw here - Messrs Palmer and Phillips, and David's gone goalless. Athletic are always stronger at home, but they've only won one of their last 22 league meetings with Barcelona and they seem to have lost their mojo and aura even at San Mames. A slightly embarrassing draw at third-tier Formentera in the Copa del Rey in midweek won't have helped matters either. The rest of us have gone for Barcelona wins and Lionel Messi to open the scoring - nothing seems to be fazing Ernesto Valverde right now, and even though he's back at the club where he spent six years of his career, he should deal with it with his typically calm confidence.
MATCH 3 - Girona v Real Madrid
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Girona were slipping towards the bottom three before Monday night's win at Deportivo La Coruna, a result which brought Pepe Mel's spell at the Estadio Riazor to an end. They've lost their last four at home in all competitions, but actually that doesn't paint the full picture - there were narrow defeats to Sevilla and Villarreal, and their first game this season was a 2-2 draw with Atletico at Montilivi. That said, Real Madrid are in that kind of mood right now where they're grinding out results. The smart money is behind Ronaldo to score first for everyone except me, which is risky, but why not have a punt on Isco to be the man to open up this game, especially if Girona try to keep it tight?
Last week saw a joint-leader become an outright leader and fourth and second swap places, while I fell off the back of the pack. I need a good week, otherwise this could become utterly embarrassing, if it isn't already, that is.
It could be another pivotal matchday, so make sure you get involved by tweeting your predictions and first scorer to @SkyRevista, and we'll give you a shout out if you impress.
