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#RevistaPredictor - Rob Palmer the new leader after Matchday 30

Revista Predictor

There was not much movement, but perhaps crucially we do have a new leader in the #RevistaPredictor, as David Garrido explains...

It's always great to get back to league football after an international break, but it seems like it was actually the pundits rather than the players or teams who were struck down by the 'FIFA virus' - just the one correct scoreline, not a sniff of a correct first goalscorer.

MATCH 1 - GIRONA 1-1 LEVANTE

No points here as everyone had backed the home side - and you can see why. They were on course for their seventh straight home win when Alex Granell blasted in left-footed from distance, so first-goalscorer points went begging too, but Jose Luis Morales managed to spring the offside trap to get the equaliser not long after and that's how it stayed.

To be honest, neither coach was too disappointed with the result - another point is added to the tally for both teams in their respective situations - Levante now seven points above the relegation zone, and with Sevilla and Villarreal both losing, it was actually a point gained and not two dropped for Girona as they stay seventh and continue to fight for Europa League.

Levante's midfielder Jose Luis Morales celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league footbal match Levante UD vs Villarreal CF at the Ciutat de Valenc
Image: Jose Luis Morales scored the equaliser for Levante

Pablo Machin's achievements are quite remarkable and as well as their lofty position in the table, Girona are one of the most recognisable sides in La Liga with their intense, organised style of play geared around Portu and Christian Stuani. And Levante are improving under Paco Lopez too.

MATCH 2 - ATHLETIC CLUB 1-1 CELTA VIGO

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Here's where we got some movement - well done to Rob Palmer who was spot on, thanks to Brais Mendez' late equaliser and Kepa's super save after that kept it 1-1. That's four points to Rob, and one point to me for the draw - no first goalscorer points for Unai Nunez.

Athletic actually controlled this game for 80 minutes and should have increased their lead, but it's another game which does not did much for the reputation of Kuko Ziganda, and surely Athletic will be looking to replace him in the summer. Juan Carlos Unzue can still inspire his side in the run-in and they're in that Europa League mix - a competition they have fond but not too distant memories of, having got to the semi-finals last season.

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He has the talent in his squad - Iago Aspas, Maxi Gomez, Pione Sisto and the returning Daniel Wass - so they're worth keeping an eye on over the next few games. It's Sevilla at home next, and remember the Andalusians will have faced Bayern in the Champions League in midweek.

MATCH 3 - SEVILLA 2-2 BARCELONA

Speaking of Sevilla, what a crazy game at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday night! No-one picked Franco Vazquez to break the deadlock, and I'm sure even fewer would have said Luis Muriel to put the hosts 2-0 up on 50 minutes. However, I was on for a correct scoreline after Luis Suarez scored, but then Lionel Messi took it away from me with the equaliser. Who else, right?

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Highlights of the La Liga match between Sevilla and Barcelona

It makes Sevilla his favourite opponent - 30 competitive goals against them and 24 in La Liga. Everyone else had backed Barcelona to win, which would have been utter madness and yet entirely plausible given that they were playing Sevilla. It means Barca are still unbeaten in La Liga this season, and are just one game from equalling Real Sociedad's record set in 1979 and 1980 of the longest run without defeat in Spain's top division - 37 games.

Sevilla must feel utterly broken, but they have to pick themselves up for the visit of Bayern Munich in the Champions League, as Barcelona welcome Roma to the Nou Camp - food for thought for both teams. Remember that for the Catalans, the treble is still on and they'll meet Sevilla again in the Copa del Rey final.

We now have a different name topping the table in the race for the pundits' prize...

RP

But there are still 8 matchdays to go, so anything can happen.

On Twitter, not too many points dished out - in fact, the maximum was four, and they went to @AlexLufc1919 who got the San Mames scoreline exactly right, as did @chanhorngam, @yshaheen619 and @jamestg69 - well done.

The next round of games is next weekend, and we'll reveal them our chosen trio for the #RevistaPredictor on @SkyRevista on Twitter next Friday.

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