La Liga gets underway this weekend in Spain, and it’s only right that we kick things off with the defending champions from Real Madrid. They’ll visit Deportivo La Coruna. Here’s a preview of that showdown where Madrid is posted as a big favorite.
What To Know About Deportivo La Coruna
Deportivo finished 16th last season, five points above the relegation zone, and one of their major problems was scoring goals. Deportivo found the back of the net 43 times in league play last season, which was better than just six teams, and they’re desperately trying to buy back Lucas Perez from Arsenal, but the English club is standing firm. Florin Andone scored 12 goals to lead the team last season and has to take a major step up to help Deportivo stay out of trouble. However, they were also poor defensively, allowing 61 goals, which was seventh-worst in the league. It’s also a good thing that Deportivo is starting the season at home, which gives them half a chance: last season, they had just one away win and seven draws. At home, they had seven wins and five draws.
What To Know About Real Madrid
The defending champions are coming in from a long preseason in which seemed like they played regularly. You have to wonder about the effects of all this for Madrid, who had also won the Champions League two years in a row and three of the past four. They’re also coming into this match without Cristiano Ronaldo, who is suspended until September 20th in the league for pushing an official in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. Fortunately, Madrid has the players to get by without him until he gets back, especially in this game. Gareth Bale looks healthy for the most part, although they’d like o get a bit more out of Karim Benzema. Marco Asensio scored a great goal in the Spanish Super Cup and they also have Isco, Luka Modric and Tony Kroos in midfield. It is Real Madrid; they’d be better with Ronaldo, but they can handle things without him for a few games.
Outlook
Madrid are favored at -300 to win on the road, while Deportivo is rated at +700 and a draw comes in at +425. Deportivo’s last win over Madrid came 14 matches ago, at home in August 2008, when they were 2-1 victors, but since then, Madrid has won 12 games and drawn one. Last season, Deportivo scored four goals in two games against Madrid, but they gave up nine, and none came from Ronaldo, so his absence shouldn’t mean much. This is a game for Bale to come out and dominate, so he can quiet any transfer rumors that have been floating around about him. If Deportivo were smart, they’d play for a draw because the more they come out and attack, the worse off they’ll be. Madrid will be able to move the ball around in midfield and then pick them apart as they look to get their title defense off to a winning start without their star player.
La Liga Betting Pick: Madrid
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