Real in Madrid CFF test, Barcelona seek to maintain winning streak, Levante look to extend good run: Liga F Week 14 Preview
Real Madrid face an acid test when they make a trip across town to face Madrid CFF at the Estadio Fernando Torres on Sunday night.
The Madrid sides are separated by only three points with Real in third position with 28 points having played two less matches whilst Madrid CFF are in fifth position with 25 points.
Forwards Esther González and Naomie Feller are expected to lead the attack supported by midfielders Caroline Weir and Teresa Abelleira whilst Madrid CFF will be pinning their hopes on forward Racheal Kundananji for goals as she looks to increase her goal tally and keep up with the leading pack on the goal scorers’ charts.
A win for Real will see them keep pressure on Barcelona as they hope to end their dominance whilst a win for Madrid CFF will increase their chances of playing champions league football.
The teams have met seven times with Real winning five, losing one and drawing one, giving an upper hand to the visitors.
Meanwhile, Barcelona will be looking to register their first win in the new year when they welcome a struggling Sevilla side at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on Saturday night.
The Blaugranes will be hoping that their forwards will re-emerge from the winter break sharper as they look to cement their Liga F dominance and maintain their 100% record this season. Forwards Salma Paralluelo, Asisat Oshoala and Geyse will be looking to get more goals and lead their team to glory with the support of midfielders Keira Walsh, Aitana Bonmatí and Patri Guijarro.
On the other hand, Sevilla have been struggling and are aware of the danger of relegation which they face and would otherwise not have preferred an opponent of Barcelona’s calibre at the season’s restart.
The teams have had contrasting fortunes this season with Barcelona winning all their matches and Sevilla being winless in their last five matches.
The teams have met 18 times with Barcelona winning 16 and drawing two, giving the hosts a big chance of winning the encounter.
Levante can make it five wins in a row when they clash with Villarreal at the Ciudad Deportiva on Saturday afternoon.
A win for Levante will mean that they keep their second position and increase their chances of making the top three which comes with the reward of playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL).
Forward Alba Redondo will be looking to score more goals and consolidate her grip at the top of the goal scorers’ charts.
On the other hand, Villarreal, who find themselves fighting for survival once again this season, will be looking to utilise home advantage and pick some points from the encounter.
The teams have met twice with Levante winning this away fixture last season and losing at home, giving a 50-50 chance to either team to win the match.
Struggling UDG Tenerife have a tough match at home against fourth-placed Atlético Madrid at the Estadio La Palmera on Sunday afternoon.
Tenerife find themselves 11th on the standings with 13 points from 12 games.
On the other hand, Atlético have not been consistent and the winter break might have come at the right time for them to sharpen themselves.
Forwards Rasheedat Ajibade and Marta Cardona will be looking to steer their side to a win in the absence of first choice attacker Ludmila who is still out with a knee injury whilst Tenerife will be banking on forward Jassina Blom for goals.
The teams have met 15 times with Atlético winning 11 and drawing four, giving the visitors an edge over their hosts heading into this encounter.
Real Sociedad will be aiming to end their two-match losing streak when they clash with bottom team Alhama CF ElPozo at the Instalaciones de Zubieta on Saturday evening.
Alhama will be looking to collect maximum points in their bid to fight relegation whilst Sociedad’s participation in the UWCL had taken some of their energy and will be looking to bounce back after the winter break beginning with this match.
The teams have not met before and each team will be looking forward to being the first to win their first encounter.
Alavés will be looking to put behind their 3-1 loss to Alhama before the break when they host an equally struggling Valencia at the Ciudad Deportiva José Luis Compañón on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams are tied on 14 goals but Valencia have a better defence which has conceded only 13 goals in 12 matches as compared to Alavés’ which has shipped in 37 goals in 13 games.
A win for the hosts would take them out of the relegation zone on condition Villarreal do not win their match elsewhere whilst a win for Valencia might take them to seventh on the standings.
The teams have met twice with Alavés winning at home and Valencia winning the other one.
Athletic Club host a stubborn Levante Las Planas at the Instalaciones de Lezama Campo 1 on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors are aware that any slip may be fatal as they fight for survival in 13th place whilst Athletic are only five points from the relegation zone.
Las Planas will be hoping that Mari Paz has sharpened her shooting boots to lead her team to victory.
The teams have met four times with Athletic Club winning all of them, giving them an upper hand heading into this fixture.
Real Betis will be looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid before the break when they host a tricky Sporting Huelva side at the Ciudad Deportiva Luis de Sol on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors have been performing well and hope to carry that spirit into the match this weekend.
Real Betis, on the other hand, have been inconsistent and find themselves just four points above relegation zone.
The hosts will be hoping midfielder Grace Asantewa and forward Rinsola Babajide will be at their best to inspire their team to victory.
The teams have met 11 times with Betis winning five, losing three and drawing the other three.
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Fixtures (Saturday): Alavés vs Valencia (12:00); Villarreal vs Levante (12:00); Real Sociedad vs Alhama CF ElPozo (17:00); Barcelona vs Sevilla (18:15)
Fixtures (Sunday): Athletic Club vs Levante Las Planas (12:00); UDG Tenerife vs Atlético Madrid (12:00)*; Real Betis vs Sporting Huelva (12:30); Madrid CFF vs Real Madrid (18:00)
All times are Central European Time (CET)
*Peninsular Time