LaLiga: Title is Atletico Madrid’s to lose; Ronald Koeman finally knows his best Barcelona system

The league is now beyond the midway point and every matchday is getting more important as we enter the second half of the season. There is a lot of competition for the European spots and the relegation battle is starting to take shape. Some of the key fixtures this weekend could have an impact at both ends of the table.

With two players on seven goals apiece, José Luis Morales and Roger Martí, Levante are an exciting team to watch going forward. They play the same way no matter the opposition but at times they could do with a plan B. They need to learn when to protect the lead instead of attacking at all costs. It’s great for the neutral but they’ve lost too many points due to their relentless attacking.

Their two top scorers are the players to keep an eye on in this game, José Luis Morales is a treat to watch but he hasn’t renewed his contract yet so they will be keen to get that over the line as he is so important for them. Roger Martí is another playing lighting up the league. He has continued his great form from last season and will be a big threat in this game.

Looking ahead to the rest of the season they will be looking to secure safety. They’ve been in LaLiga for a while and every time they threaten to climb the table they go through a rough patch. They have the potential to do something remarkable but perhaps lack the resources. The key for them will be keeping their best players who will allow them to strive to be more ambitious than just staying up.

Real Valladolid are struggling with injuries. They played against Elche CF with only one fit striker and one fit centre-back. They are trying to play more expansive football than in previous seasons but it’s not clicking. The team is suffering because of it and making too many mistakes at the back. With that in mind the team clearly has a great spirit as shown by their comeback against Elche CF. If they can get Sergio Guardiola and Marcos André fit then I’m confident they can turn things around.

Let’s remember this is a club owned by the iconic Ronaldo. This has a big impact as he has great pulling power. Shon Weissman is an example of someone who came because Ronaldo was his hero. It’s great for the league to have someone like him in the boardroom of a smaller club. He is a smart guy and I expect him to be successful.

Levante vs Real Valladolid, Friday 8pm, LIVE on LaLigaTV

Real Sociedad have struggled of late and that is largely due to injuries with the likes of David Silva and Mikel Oyarzabal out. They have been conceding too many and not scoring enough, but the standard of play remains similar. They played well against Barcelona and were unlucky to lose on penalties. It was brilliant to see Imanol Alguacil channel his inner Phil Brown, talking to his players on the pitch and reminding them of how well they are playing. It shows a great spirit and togetherness in the squad.

It is unfortunate that Real Madrid have written off the return of Martin Ødegaard to Real Sociedad. He never wanted to leave in the first place and played his best football at the club.

Real Betis need to sign a striker and centre-back. They’ve got three strikers on the books, but they are struggling to find the back of the net. Their structural problems continue to persist, and it will be a priority of Manuel Pellegrini to fix that. A major positive for them is having Sergio Canales back fit. He brings so much quality to the team and has an amazing work rate. His partnership with Guido Rodríguez is very promising and I expect to see them kick on in the second half of the season.

Real Sociedad vs Real Betis, Saturday 5.30pm, LIVE on LaLigaTV

I’m not confident about Elche’s ability to survive this season. They are inconsistent with the system they want to play and it’s causing a lack of creativity. They are a team that needs more fire power up front and an injection of star quality. I think they play their best football when the wing-backs push higher up the pitch so it will be interesting to see what direction Jorge Almirón takes them in. It could be a long season for them but who knows what could happen against this Barcelona team.

Following a string of good results in the league, Ronald Koeman knows he has to play with a 4-3-3. This system relies on good wing play and It’s great to see Ousmane Dembélé have a sustained run in the team. Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann are also starting to click which will please the fans. The fact is, with so many young players on the pitch, the team will continue to struggle with consistency. It’s to be expected given they are still learning the game. Some games they will be fantastic, and some games they will be bullied, especially in the physical matchups.

With a new President coming in they will be looking at rebuild and will need to plan for a future that might not include Lionel Messi. I think Gini Wijnaldum would be a good signing for them. He would bring some experience to the midfield and add some much-needed physicality.

Elche vs Barcelona, Sunday 3.15pm, LIVE on LaLigaTV

Atlético Madrid have won six on the bounce since the Madrid derby and look destined for the title. They have the unique ability to beat teams without playing well, as evidenced against Sevilla where they won without their two best players on the pitch. We know they can defend brilliantly and have added serious strength up top. It’s in their hands and is their title to lose.

Kieran Trippier’s ban will cause a headache for Diego Simeone. I personally don’t understand how the FA can ban someone playing in Spain, but it is what it is. He has had a huge impact since joining from Spurs, especially this season where he has taken his game to the next level. The system relies on strong wing-back play and Tripper has had to step up. He is perhaps the only player without a suitable replacement in the squad so it will be interesting to see how the team deals with his absence.

Carlos Soler has been a shining light for Valencia CF this season and will be crucial in this game. He’s only 24 years old but it feels like he has been playing forever. He’s becoming a leader in the team, alongside José Gayá, and is doing a great job of helping his club through a difficult season. With the European Championships on the horizon, it will be interesting to see if he can break into a competitive Spain squad. He will certainly be on Luis Enrique’s radar and has the rest of the season to prove his quality.

Atlético Madrid vs Valencia CF, Sunday 8pm, LIVE on LaLigaTV

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