Revista Predictor: Change of scene for Matchday 16
Friday 15 December 2017 08:40, UK
Having had a couple of weeks of the #RevistaPredictor with plenty of big games, on Matchday 16, the top six in La Liga have been ignored completely, leaving our experts flapping and floundering as they register their predictions. David Garrido explains...
What a tricky trio we have this week. Yes, thanks for that. For whatever reason, the Predictor is distinctly lacking Christmas cheer, but the games themselves are all interesting for different reasons - we have a clash of two of the bottom five teams, also a meeting of two of the promoted sides, but first... a Basque derby.
MATCH 1 - ATHLETIC CLUB v REAL SOCIEDAD
Both these clubs have had plenty to moan about - knocked out of the Copa by Segunda B opposition, and having had uninspiring La Liga campaigns so far. Athletic are unbeaten in three in all competitions, with Aritz Aduriz continuing to find the net despite his advancing years - he's been backed by the top two pundits in the Predictor, Kevin Keatings and Jon Driscoll, to open the scoring in this game.
Jon and David Phillips have gone for a home win, whereas Rob "The Rogue" Palmer has gone against the grain again, saying La Real will take the points from San Mames, to arrest their slide of four straight defeats. Kevin and I are sitting on the fence with our 1-1 predictions.
MATCH 2 - GIRONA v GETAFE
These two sides have had incredible seasons so far - both in the top half on 20 points, which is eight above the relegation zone. Interestingly, no one is backing Getafe to get the win at Montilivi, but then they have only managed one away victory this season in all competitions, whereas Girona have beaten Real Madrid at home, and drawn with both Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad.
Cristhian Stuani has got almost half of their goals this season, and of his eight, six have come at Montilivi. Jon and I think that's where the smart money is for first goalscorer, but Keatings and Phillips have plumped for Portu. A high-energy, high-intensity game in prospect - it could be quite entertaining.
MATCH 3 - LAS PALMAS v ESPANYOL
What a mess Las Palmas are in - they're trying to appoint their third coach of the season, but they cannot get Jorge Almiron in because the Spanish federation don't think he's got requisite experience from his previous coaching positions...whilse they wait for Paco Jemez, it's Espanyol who come to the Estadio Gran Canaria, where they've never scored, let alone won.
Still, Gerard Moreno has been picked by Rob and Kevin to open the scoring in an away victory, and Jon and I have gone for the cowardly/clever choice (delete as applicable) of the goalless draw - remember, it's the full 10 points if it comes in! Espanyol just aren't scoring right now, and they've lost four out of five...Quique Sanchez Flores got a vote of confidence from his president, for what it's worth, but a win could take them as high as 11th in the Primera Division. As for the Predictor table...
The biggest movement is once again likely to be in the bottom three, but interestingly, the match outcomes forecast by the top two are different in each game, which could mean that either the gap is narrowed or Kevin extends his lead again. First goalscorers could again be key here, and Jon and Kevin have only agreed on one of them.
You have until 3.15pm on Saturday to tweet us your predictions to @SkyRevista on Twitter, and don't forget to use the hashtag #RevistaPredictor. Good luck, one and all.
