La Liga predictions 2012/2013
Leave a commentAugust 6, 2012 by joshilan14
As part of Inside Spanish Football’s preparations for the new seasons, they asked writers for the site to do their predictions; with a short lowdown, breakout star, most valuable player and top goal scorer for each team. Here are my thoughts:
1st-Barcelona
Lowdown: New manager Tito Vilanova will help Barcelona to reclaim their La Liga crown from rivals Real Madrid. Return of David Villa will help this, while Lionel Messi could surpass his goal record.
Breakout star: Sergi Roberto
MVP: Lionel Messi
Top scorer: Lionel Messi (also top scorer of La Liga)
2nd-Real Madrid
Lowdown: Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid team will lose La Liga crown this year. They will run Barcelona very, very close though.
Breakout star: Jese Rodriguez
MVP: Cristiano Ronaldo
Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
3rd-Atletico Madrid
Lowdown: Diego Simeone turned Atletico into a very good side upon his arrival. Expect them to strengthen upon their strong end to last season and Europa League victory.
Breakout star: Oliver Torres.
MVP: Radamel Falcao.
Top scorer: Radamel Falcao.
4th-Valencia
Lowdown: Mauricio Pellegrino is a managerial novice, which could either be a great appointment, or a disaster. A season of transition is expected.
Breakout star: Jonathan Viera
MVP: Adil Rami
Top scorer: Roberto Soldado
5th-Athletic Bilbao
Lowdown: Marcelo Bielsa got the Basque side to play some very good football last season. They could be the ‘surprise’ package this season.
Breakout star: Jonas Ramalho
MVP: Fernando Llorente
Top scorer: Fernando Llorente
6th-Malaga
Lowdown: At the time of writing, Malaga will finish in 6th. Due to their financial turmoil, manager Manuel Pellegrini and key men Isco, Cazorla and Rondon look set to go. (put to 9th place if happens).
Breakout star: Diego Buananotte
MVP: Carlos Kameni
Top scorer: Julio Baptista
7th-Sevilla
Lowdown: Manager Michel has said to “expect a period of transition.” The aim for the Andalusian’s is to qualify for the Europa League.
Breakout star: Bryan Rabello
MVP: Jesus Navas
Top scorer: Alvaro Negredo
8th-Espanyol
Lowdown: A number of impressive signings, plus manager Mauricio Pochettino staying with the side means that the omens are good for Espanyol this season.
Breakout star: Wakaso Mubarak
MVP: Juan Forlin
Top scorer: Juan Albin
9th-Real Sociedad
Lowdown: Expect Real Sociedad to be this season’s surprise package. They have a talented squad and a good manager in Philippe Montanier.
Breakout star: Asier Illarramendi
MVP: Antonie Griezzman
Top scorer: Carlos Vela
10th- Mallorca
Lowdown: Manager Joaquin Caparros said he has the “best squad in the country.” Maybe not, but a top-half finish looks likely.
Breakout star: Ruben Mino
MVP: Jose Nunes
Top scorer: Tomer Hemed
11th-Granada
Lowdown: The club have made some very smart pre-season signings to avoid a relegation battle. Another team to surprise this year.
Breakout star: Gabriel Torje
MVP: Guilherme Siqueria
Top scorer: Youssef El-Arabi
12th-Real Betis
Lowdown: Betis should build upon last season, but another mid-table finish looms for Pepe Mel’s side.
Breakout star: Sergio Rodriguez Hurtado
MVP: Benat
Top scorer: Joel Campbell
13th-Deportivo La Coruna
Lowdown: A mid-table finish will be an acceptable finish for recently-promoted Deportivo, who have to rely on loan signings due to a financial crisis.
Breakout star: Nelson Oliviera
MVP: Bruno Gama
Top scorer: Nelson Oliveira
14th-Levante
Lowdown: Last season’s surprise success is unlikely to be replicated this season. Mid-table will not be a disappointment for the team though.
Breakout star: Michel
MVP: Sergio Ballesteros
Top scorer: Arouna Kone
15th-Real Zaragoza
Lowdown: The great escape was achieved last season by Zaragoza. A major upheaval in the playing staff will see the club struggle a bit this season.
Breakout star: Kevin Lacruz
MVP: Romaric
Top scorer: Apono
16th-Getafe
Lowdown: The Madrid-based team could be dragged into a relegation battle this season. Many of their best players are being linked away from the club.
Breakout star: Alvaro Arroyo
MVP: Abdel Barrada
Top scorer: Miku
17th-Celta Vigo
Lowdown: The Galicians look likely to struggle back in La Liga after a lengthy absence. Signings are needed to ensure that they do not go down.
Breakout star: Iago Aspas
MVP: Javi Varas
Top scorer: Iago Aspas
18th-Osasuna
Lowdown: Relegation looks like a real possibility for Osasuna due to the departures of key players and inadequate replacements.
Breakout star: Roberto Torres
MVP: Miguel Flano
Top scorer: Joseba Llorenta
19th-Real Valladolid
Lowdown: Valladolid do not have a bad squad and would survive most seasons; the only reason I have got them here is due to the superiority of the other teams in the league.
Breakout star: Ismail Razak
MVP: Javi Guerra
Top scorer: Javi Guerra
20th-Rayo Vallecano
Lowdown : The loss of their manager and key players, and an ongoing financial mess means that Vallecano will be La Liga’s whipping boys this season.
Breakout star: Jordi Amat
MVP: Jordi Amat
Top scorer: Alhassane Bangoura
