#RevistaPredictor Matchday 24: Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid feature
Friday 16 February 2018 09:59, UK
Almost all regions are represented as we jump around Spain for this week’s #RevistaPredictor. David Garrido casts his eyes over the chosen games for La Liga Matchday 24...
"I'm coming for you, I'm coming for you…Kevin Keatings, I'm coming for you."
You can sort of imagine David Phillips humming that as he potters around Casa Phillips, doing whatever it is that former Wales international footballers do in their spare time.
He's gone from bottom to third in two weeks, and if KK struggles on the Predictor this week, DP could surpass Rob Palmer in second and truly challenge for the title…
MATCH 1 - ATLETICO MADRID v ATHLETIC BILBAO
With European football returning to our schedules, the "Athletic derby" could be an interesting one, depending on who's got more energy left after their Thursday night exploits.
Atletico have dropped down into the Europa League after finishing behind Roma and Chelsea in their Champions League group, but they've continued to grind out narrow wins in typical Simeone style. Meanwhile, Athletic Club have been struggling towards the wrong end of the table with some truly underwhelming results - winless in five games, four of them draws.
Aritz Aduriz did score twice in the 3-1 victory at Spartak Moscow, but he's suspended for this game at the Wanda, as is Raul Garcia. When it comes to stamina, surely Atletico are the ones to back, and in fact all five of us have, with Antoine Griezmann the choice of first goalscorer for Messrs Palmer, Driscoll and Keatings.
Live La Liga Football
MATCH 2 - ESPANYOL v VILLARREAL
Villarreal were also in midweek action, losing 3-1 at Lyon - their third defeat in a row in all competitions after previously going down to Real Betis and Alaves to stunt their La Liga momentum. The Yellow Submarine could start to rock a little bit now, especially without Cedric Bakambu and with still quite a few injuries, plus they have Sevilla and Eibar for company in the race for fifth place.
Espanyol have drawn against Barcelona and Celta Vigo in their last two games, but they need to pick up wins to make sure they don't get dragged towards that bottom three. Their tight, compact style may frustrate Villarreal, and they always have a threat in Gerard Moreno going forward. Again, he's the most popular pick to break the deadlock at the RCDE Stadium, and only Rob is backing Villarreal to win, while Jon and Kevin have both gone for 1-1 draws.
Live La Liga Football
MATCH 3 - REAL BETIS v REAL MADRID
Normally it's Rob who goes rogue, but this time it's Kevin who has decided to go against the grain and has backed Betis to get a point here with the rest of us going for an away victory.
The main question is how much will Wednesday's impressive comeback win over PSG in the Champions League have taken out of Los Blancos? Or is it the result that finally starts some sort of winning streak in La Liga? They need to keep up the pressure on third-placed Valencia who are away to bottom side Malaga.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the man to set them on their way at the Benito Villamarín for three of the experts, while the two Davids have opted for Gareth Bale, who didn't start at the Bernabeu in midweek. However, Betis have the ability to surprise, and with the likes of Ruben Castro, Sergio Leon and new boy Loren Moron, there are definitely goals in this game.
Live La Liga Football
The overall standings are fascinating - can Kevin Keatings be reeled in? Can David Phillips continue his good recent run? Can Jon Driscoll finally catch up with the rest of us and get into triple figures?
Don't forget to get your predictions in to us on @SkyRevista on Twitter using #RevistaPredictor - you've got until 3.15pm GMT on Sunday to do so. Good luck!
