Can Kilmarnock continue their good run of form at Parkhead?
Kilmarnock are in the best run of form in the league – over the last five matches. Let that sink in for a second. 12 points from games against St Mirren, Partick Thistle, Dundee United and St Johnstone – and a point against the league leaders, Hamilton – has elevated Killie to fourth in the table. Their opponents this weekend are the mid-table outfit Celtic, who are three points behind Kilmarnock but have a game in hand.
Obviously, I jest about the mid-table tag. We all know Celtic are still going to win the league. Some even suggested that last week’s 5-0 demolition of hapless Ross County is the beginning of something, that Ronny Deila has finally found his system and his team. I’m careful about making statements like that: people said the same after the 6-1 thrashing of Dundee United in August.
As for Killie’s record at Parkhead: it’s not the strongest. The last couple of games hosted by the league champions have ended in comprehensive wins and an 8-1 aggregate score – although Killie did pick up three points around this time in 2012 at Celtic Park. There’s also the point that Kilmarnock are far stronger than last season, and there’s a different aura about playing Celtic at the moment.
Hamilton went to Celtic Park, played in their usual style, and came away with a surprise three points. If Killie can demonstrate the same confidence, couldn’t they do the same?
Will ‘El Clasico’ bring Barcelona’s clean-sheet record to an end?
The stats would certainly say so. The last time Madrid didn’t score in ‘El Clasico’ – in the league – was on November 29, 2010, when Barcelona hammered them 5-0 with a performance helped cement their legacy as one of the greatest teams ever. In the seven games since then, Madrid have scored 12 goals – perhaps more surprising is the fact that Los Blancos in a league game between the two since 2007.
The scores are tied from their last five meetings: two wins each and one draw. The Basque club have emerged victorious in the last two matches, including a stunning 4-3 win in the corresponding fixture last season. A hat-trick from Lionel Messi sealed all three points in the 84th minute – such a brace on Saturday will propel him past Telmo Zarra as La Liga’s top scorer of all time.
As solid as the stats indicate Barcelona are, the evidence also suggests there are still problems. It’s quickly worth pointing out that Gerard Martino’s side last season didn’t lose in the league until the 15th round – a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao – so just because Luis Enrique has had a good start doesn’t mean that all their problems are sorted. Malaga shut them out last month and Eibar should have taken the lead in their game last week – Capa exposed some calamitous defending but missed an open-goal (albeit from a tight angle). There’s also the fact that both PSG and Ajax have scored against them in Europe, and the Parisian club beat them in an entertaining game.
There are also still questions about Gerard Pique’s form and Dani Alves’s future at the Camp Nou – both look shambolic at times. It’s a criticism that has also been directed at Madrid this season. However, the hosts this weekend are looking fantastic at the moment: Ronaldo is on fire – 15 goals in seven league starts – and Madrid are scoring for fun.
I’m predicting a big scoreline, and an end to Barca’s impeccable start.
Can Cordoba end Arrasate’s reign at Sociedad?
A dejected Jagoba Arrasate looked on as Yoda scored the second for Getafe to complete a late, and demoralising, comeback. Boos rang around the Anoeta as the referee ended the game. Hervias, on as a substitute, had converted Carlos Vela’s cross, and a more optimistic atmosphere surrounded the stadium. However, that had turned toxic by the time the referee blew his whistle. Two late goals from Yoda lifted the visitors to tenth and sent the hosts crashing to 16th – three goals better off than their Basque rivals, Athletic Bilbao.
Cordoba, on the other hand, are still seeking their first La Liga victory. They were comfortably beaten by Malaga last week, but came close to ending their barren spell at Getafe the week before – a late Baba Diawara strike salvaged a point for the hosts.
Despite this poor spell, Cordoba looked decent in spells and could capitalise on Sociedad’s lack of confidence. The teams have never met in the league, so there’s no form to go on. Cordoba should be without Jose Crespo and Eduard Campabadal, while Sociedad are missing Alberto de la Bella, Ruben Pardo and Gorka Elustondo.
I’d hazard a guess that this isn’t going to be an exciting game.
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