[Phil Mitchell]

I think the top 2 is obvious this season, it'll be Barcelona and Real Madrid which will cement these two spots, in what should be, a close title race. So I'm going to talk about who I think will have a chance of finishing in the next two Champions league, positions.

When regarding this topic, at the moment, I think there is a possibility that two out of 5 clubs, could occupy 3rd and 4th spots in La Liga this season. These clubs being:- Valencia, Sevilla, Real Mallorca, Deportivo and Villareal. Villareal may seem a shock, but I say them, as they're now looking much better then in the fashion they started the season and could easily climb up the table, if they're to continue their solid streak. Getafe and Athletic Bilbao aren't too far behind 3rd and 4th, points wise, but I don't think either team has the credentials to go that far this season. I spoke about Sevilla earlier in the campaign, stating how I thought this team had the potential of being one of the best Sevilla sides for years. But I have seemed to have spoken on them to soon, as their form has dipped a fair bit recently and they've gone from sat in a pretty healthy 3rd position on level points with Real Madrid, to falling to 5th behind Valencia and Real Mallorca. In their last 6 games, they have only managed to pick up two wins and their last 2 La Liga fixtures, have resulted in defeat. Valencia have started off the season well, look better recently and have been grinding the right results out lately. If they can keep it up I think the 3rd spot will now be theres, although Sevilla are still definitely in with a shout, if they hit the right form again as they are still only two points behind 3rd and level on points with 4th place, Mallorca. Now, Real Mallorca are a team which I have been impressed with so far this term, they look deadly on the attack, aren't shy of goals(only Real and Barcelona have scored more) and their defense doesn't look bad either. I think this team could shock a few this season. If you look at the past 6 games, this team has gained only one less point than Barcelona and have gained 2 more points than Real Madrid. If they can continue healthy runs like this througout the season and if Sevilla don't book their ideas up, we could have a suprise on our hands. The Europa league is more probable for Mallorca, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of them grabbing themselves a Champions league spot, come May.

I also mentioned Deporivo and Villareal up there. Deportivo haven't looked bad themsevles this term, but I only see these as outsiders, I think Europa league is the only thing these should really be hoping for.

Villareal are quite a bit behind top 4, points wise, but they are looking better by the week and form is really on their side at the moment. All it takes is for a few of the teams above them, to take get a string of bad results and Villareal could easily capitalise on this. We seen a good performance from them last weekend and they will have beaten most La Liga teams, if they were more consistant and if they played in this fashion every week.

Still, I think it will go like this in the end:-

3. Valencia
4. Sevilla

The order of these 2 teams may change, but they're definitely the favourites, probably for everyone. Although, like I said, don't rule out Mallorca, especially, as I have a good feeling about this group of players this year. They seem like a confident bunch, with ambition. It would be good for both La Liga and football, in general, if these were to snatch 4th spot. I think Mallorca will finish more like 6th though with Villareal in 5th, or maybe Mallorca in 5th with Villareal or Deportivo in 6th. But Getafe are also in with a shout at a Uefa spot and with Athletic Bilboa already being in the Europa league this season, it may give them a push to improve on their La Liga form. It could also be the absolute opposit for them, though.....

Which teams do you all have your eye on in finishing in the second two Champions league positions, this season?

[Thomas Ryan]

Barcelona will get 3rd. Hopefully 4th or 5th.

[Dar-batov]

Valencia have too much quality and experience to not finish in the top 4. They should in my opinion finish there unless they have a disastrous run of results. Might even keep Silva and Villa if that happens....as unlikely as it seems. Mata's been in very good form, too and I don't see why the can't keep it going till the end of the season. Sevilla, despite their recent slump have enough about themselves to scrape through into 4th place. Mallorca have been the surprise package this season and with half the season gone, find themselves very much with a chance of clinching a Champions League spot. But I think their wheels will come unstuck come February. Every club has a bad patch in a season and the real question will be which team can overcome that in the least time. Villarreal are way behind at the moment and the Europa League is the best they should be going for.

[Jáck]

Sevilla & Valencia, in that order.

[ASF]

Sevilla has the better squad, overall, after Barcelona and Real. After them, it's Valencia.
Even though both are still in the CL and Europa League, respectively, and that could make their players get too tired for the final sprint on the league, which could make them lose those spots for the likes of Villarreal, Deportivo, Mallorca, I think they'll hang in to those places.

So, for me, it will end up like this:

1st - Real Madrid
2nd - Barcelona
3rd - Sevilla
4th - Valencia
5th - Deportivo
6th - Villarreal

[JoshBRFC]

Ryanovski, on 04 January 2010 - 07:39 PM, said:

Barcelona will get 3rd. Hopefully 4th or 5th.

You add so much intelligence to the topic. I enjoyed reading your post. :wub:

Jáck, on 04 January 2010 - 08:04 PM, said:

Sevilla & Valencia, in that order.

I agree. With Valencia currently lying in 3rd and Sevilla and Real Mallorca only 2 points behind. I expect Sevilla to clinch the 3rd spot as they are the stronger than the teams around them in my opinion. And Valencia in 4th. Real Mallorca are doing well so far, but over the course of a full season i don't think they could beat Sevilla or Valencia to the 4th spot.

[frshmn]

another factor to take in would be the last few opponents each of the afformentioned faced. finishing up last year, Valencia has only lost to Real Madrid in their last few matches and put together a fantastic run that overrode their early season mishaps, which is good concidering they also had Europa League fixtures sprinkled in. they were able to take at least a point in the last two months from every match, excluding the lost i spoke of. Sevilla faces a true test of character and depth in the upcoming few months. Barcelona three times in about twelve days, plus the Cup of Nations looming closer and closer. many clubs are looking to take full advantage. Racing and Almeria being the most obvious two, then after a true test against Valencia, they'll have Zaragoza looking to put a bright spot on a really bad season followed by Osasuna. very testing time for the club, and to be honest, i would not be surprised if points are dropped there. Mallorca has really bloomed as a club, from November to now only losing agaisnt Barcelona 4-2 and away against Malaga not too long ago. from now until March, they only really have a challenge against Sevilla (in March, Atletico and Barcelona, followed by other fixtures i'm not bothered to look up). Deportivo are a mass of underachieving bastards. they drop points against clubs they're supposed to take points from and then hold out for draws when they face an advancing side. they're last win was against a losing side (Racing), before that a crippled spirited club (Atletico de Madrid), and before that, Getafe (losers). that was from November til now. and i'm not bothered to go back further. they're running out of steem.

anyway, with these factors (and more from watching their performances), i'll conclude that should the clubs not get many more injuries or losses (bar the ACoN) and get back some of their already fallen, and other competitions, i'll predict:

1) Real Madrid/Barcelona
2) Real Madrid/Barcelona
3) Valencia
4) Sevilla
5) Villarreal
6) Mallorca

Deportivo are a bunch of royalist toilet water. they'll fill back up, but only after a big dip down. Mallorca are a lot more suited. hopefully though, they'll make Europa, they're a lot more suited to deal with Europe and the league right now. Villarreal have a LOT of ground to make up for, and unless the rest of the league takes a break for a couple months and Europe contenders just fail to collect, they're not going too far beyond a CL contendership.

[Novus Audax]

My prediction at this stage is:

1. Barca
2. Madrid
3. Valencia
4. Sevilla
5. Villarreal
6. Deportivo
7. Getafe
8. Mallorca

Valenica just need to sort their home form. On paper they're easily the 3rd best team in the league, and it looks like Emery has turned the corner with their massive under performing, and the backroom aren't screwing around with the playing staff anymore. Sevilla will miss some players during the ACN, but they play good percentage football and their players are in great phyical condition to go strong all season. Villarreal were very unlucky at the beginning of the season and are now back in winning ways, but it won't be enough to get a CL spot. Deportivo might play ugly football, but they get the job done. Getafe, ever inconsistent, have a lot of fire power but what sets them apart is they can win on the road, so they'll finish comfortably. Mallorca are massively over achieving, in good style too with their immense home record. But that club is just a rife with problems, and I can see it all coming crashing down. Atletico Madrid could also be up there too as they look reinvigorated after the Christmas break.

[Super_Colo]

I think Mallorca will falter towards the latter end of the season as they are not used to being in this situation. Madrid and Barcelona are nail on certainties to finish 1st or 2nd. Valencia and Sevilla are also in the battle. For some reason I am a big fan of Sevilla and I hope they get 3rd and make it into the Champions League.

I think the top 4 will be;

Barcelona
Real Madrid
Valencia
Sevila

I hope the top 4 will be;

Barcelona
Real Madrid
Sevilla
Valencia

[JoshBRFC]

Nobody think Athletico will have a late surge, and at least get into Europe...

[Dar-batov]

They're way too inconsistent. And have been god awful this season. They have the quality to at least get a Europa League spot but the way they've been playing this season is extraordinary.

[frshmn]

JoshBRFC, on 05 January 2010 - 03:32 PM, said:

Nobody think Athletico will have a late surge, and at least get into Europe...

it seems that with the hype of last season, losing Coupet, Franco, Luis Garcia, Miguel, and now Sinama-Pongolle was way too much for the club at once. they'll flutter around the league for the next two season, unless Aguero fucks off to England. then they might be in trouble because once relegation becomes a serious possibility, Simao and Forlan are out too. Europe? not these guys.

[Thomas Ryan]

JoshBRFC, on 04 January 2010 - 08:57 PM, said:

You add so much intelligence to the topic. I enjoyed reading your post. :wub:

If youre being sarcastic fuck you. Its kinda common sense that unless either Real or Barça have a horrible spell they wont get lower than 2nd. So obviously I would hope for Barça to fail.

If you werent... thanks :unsure:

I don't think Sevilla will finish above Valencia. Valencia has the better talent and I think they are more consistent.

JoshBRFC, on 05 January 2010 - 03:32 PM, said:

Nobody think Athletico will have a late surge, and at least get into Europe...

FUCK NO. El Colcho's are fucking inconsistent as shit. I actually enjoy it. I think they'll finish more around 7-8th.

[JoshBRFC]

Was i heck being sarcastic. Your post added much more than Phil Mitchells small, pointless opener.

[Thomas Ryan]

eat my shit batman.

Brilliance is getting your point across with fewer words.

[Phil Mitchell]

Where can I put bets on for La Liga, as I might slap 20 quid on Mallorca finishing 4th. I "bet" you'd get a decent return from that.

Ryanovski, on 05 January 2010 - 07:03 PM, said:

FUCK NO. El Colcho's are fucking inconsistent as shit. I actually enjoy it. I think they'll finish more around 7-8th.

In my opinion, I think they may finish more like 9th/10th. They look pathetic this season, which is a shame, as they do have alot of talent there. Aguero and Forlan are one of the best strike partnerships around, when on full throttle.

[Thomas Ryan]

I highly dislike the colchoneros but I think they have enough talent in the locker room to scoop something out of this season. They did somewhat well against Sevilla and besides they have some games that shouldn't be difficult for them before taking on Barça and Valencia... and i say shouldn't loosely.

[garcia89]

I see Depor getting a European spot this season, but I concur with Sevilla and Valencia getting 3rd and 4th. Atletico need to reshape from the defence once they have decided how much/where Aguero goes.

[Phil Mitchell]

Sevilla lost this weekend, making it 3 losses on the bounce for these, which is a shame for them after such a solid start. Mallorca lost aswell, meaning they have fell out of the top 4 now, down into 6th place, with Sevilla above them in 5th on goal difference. Valencia are looking a little more comfortable now in 3rd place after winning 3-1 and with results around them, going their way. Deportivo are the ones now taking up 4th place, after week 17, after scraping a 1-0 win against Osasuna. Its looking close.

[emoLEGEND]

Valencia will finish third and Deportivo will finish fourth. Deportivo is Guardado dependent and they know that he will most likely leave to a bigger club after the WC since he has been targeted by AC Milan for a while now. Basically, Deportivo knows they have to get in the champions league this year. n.n*