Friday 9 February 2018 08:33, UK
Only one of the big-name teams is involved in the #RevistaPredictor this week, as the screw is turned on Matchday 23 in LaLiga - David Garrido has more.
We know the Predictor by now, and we know what tricks he likes to get up to. This time, no team in the top three or bottom six of the La Liga table is featured in our three chosen games, so it'll be another tough challenge. We are not fazed - here we go...
MATCH 1 - LEGANES v EIBAR
I personally love this match-up, as it involves two of the real underdog success stories in Spain's top division this season. Leganes started well in the league and then took that momentum into the Copa del Rey, where they reached an historic first semi-final in the competition before losing out to Sevilla this week.
Eibar, meanwhile, had an awful start in La Liga, taking just eight points from their first 11 games, before then turning it around by switching to four at the back and seeing Anaitz Arbilla, Joan Jordan and Ivan Alejo flourish, with goals flowing from veteran Charles,33, in particular.
None of us are going for too many goals here, and Kevin and myself have even gone for 0-0 - Leganes might be tired from their midweek exploits, while Eibar are not the strongest away from home, but it's so encouraging to see these two competing well in La Liga. May the best minnow win.
MATCH 2 - REAL MADRID v REAL SOCIEDAD
In stark contrast, this is a game which pits two teams together who have had poor campaigns so far by their own standards. For Real Madrid, the real question is what team the field and how much energy they put into this game at the Bernabeu, with the visit of Paris Saint-Germain next Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Madrid's season really rests now on Europe's top club competition, so they could rest players against La Real. Eusebio's side got a much-needed victory last time out, although not much can be read into it - it was 5-0 against a very poor Deportivo side who defended terribly. However, their record against Real Madrid is pretty awful too - they have won just one of their last 21 league encounters, losing 17 of them, including the last six.
That form is reflected in all the pundits' predictions, with everyone going for a home win, and three picking Gareth Bale to break the deadlock. He's the brightest part of the BBC right now, and Zinedine Zidane needs his attacking trident to hit form more than ever.
MATCH 3 - SEVILLA v GIRONA
Vincenzo Montella has had a mixed start to his reign as Sevilla boss - some poor results in the league coupled with their progress to the Copa final. And now he has a few new signings to play with - including a couple who signed for Premier League clubs in the summer but are back in La Liga on loan and impressed last season like Sandro Ramirez from Everton and Roque Mesa from Swansea.
Those signings do make sense, although Girona are good at putting pressure on teams with their high-energy style, especially with balls in from wide areas, so maybe Sevilla should also have strengthened defensively. Plus, the Catalan team have only lost three of their 11 away league games this season, and are enjoying an excellent campaign overall.
This game has elicited the most varied predictions - home wins for Driscoll and Phillips, draws for Keatings and Palmer, while I have gone risky and reckon Sevilla might suffer a hangover and Girona could claim another scalp with a victory at the Sanchez Pizjuan. Cristhian Stuani is a popular pick for first goalscorer.
Kevin still leads the way in the overall standings, but as they say in Spain, "queda mucha liga" (there's a lot of the season to go), and he might have a bit of company at the top if Rob has another good week - and the battle to avoid the wooden spoon is pretty intense too.
Don't forget to get your predictions in to us on @SkyRevista on Twitter - you've got until 5.30pm GMT on Saturday to do so.
