LA LIGA WRAP: REAL CAPITALISE ON BARCA SLIP

Barcelona suffered a surprise La Liga defeat at the hands of Granada to hand the Madrid clubs the title initiative.

Yacine Brahimi netted the only goal for Granada in the 16th minute before Barca spurned a host of chances‚ with Neymar taking a prime place among the culprits.

It is the second time this week Gerardo Martino′s team have fallen by a 1–0 margin‚ following their UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of leaders Atletico Madrid – who have the chance to pull four points clear of the defending champions when they host Malaga tomorrow night.

There were no such problems for Real Madrid‚ who are now a point better off than their fierce Catalan rivals courtesy of a comfortable 4–0 home win over second–bottom Almeria.

Again operating without injured talisman Cristiano Ronaldo due to a knee injury‚ Real threatened to break the deadlock long before a 28th–minute opener from the impressive Angel Di Maria.

Gareth Bale‚ Isco and substitute Alvaro Morata completed the scoring on a significant night for Carlo Ancelotti′s team.

Celta Vigo twice came from behind at home, despite being reduced to 10 men early in the second half, to claim a valuable 2–2 draw against Real Sociedad– easing their relegation fears.

The visitors twice hit the front through Sergio Canales and Antoine Griezmann, the latter′s strike coming soon after Nolito′s 37th–minute penalty.

Celta defender Jon Aurtenetxe then received his marching orders three minutes into the second half to put the home side under serious pressure but Santiago Min earned a share of the spoils in the 82nd minute.

That result meant Villarreal moved above Sociedad into sixth with a dramatic late win over Levante‚ while Celta rose to 12th with 37 points – five spots and six points clear of the relegation zone.

A 0–0 draw appeared on the cards at Villarreal′s Camp El Madrigal until Jeremy Perbet headed home Manuel Trigueros′ free–kick for the hosts in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Source: SBOBET Times

Barca rubber stamp revamp

 

Camp Nou: To receive a revamp


More than 27‚000 members of Barcelona Football Club have endorsed plans to spend 600–million euros on the redevelopment of the Camp Nou. 

More than 27‚000 members of Barcelona Football Club have endorsed plans to spend 600–million euros on the redevelopment of the club′s home ground, the Camp Nou.

The voting accounts for 72 per cent of the members who turned out to hear the proposal.

The vote was only the second in the club′s 115–year history, the previous ballot coming in 1950 when members backed plans to move from the old Las Corts stadium to the Camp Nou.

The Camp Nou, which currently has a capacity of more than 99‚000‚ is already the largest stadium in Europe. However‚ once the revamp is completed in 2021‚ the stadium will be able to seat 105‚000 spectators.

“This is a big step forward‚” Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu told Inside World Football.

“Many members have told me that they have voted for a project which‚ because of their age‚ they will never see. But for a better Barcelona and better Nou Camp for their grandchildren‚” added he club′s president.

The Camp Nou has been the home of Catalan football since 1957 and many famous memories have been created at that ground. The club has evolved since then and become the powerhouse in European football.

Administrators think it would be fitting to have a stadium which symbolises their current status in the global game.

“In 2021 we will have a Nou Camp which all Barcelona members and fans will be proud of and allow us to say we have a ground of the same level as our team‚” added Bartomeu.

The stadium redevelopment is expected to include the construction of a new roof and work is expected to start in 2017.

 


Before any revamp to take place, hot in the UEFA Champions League scene

Atletico out to end Barca′s UCL run with Costa in tow

Atletico Madrid put up an impressive performance versus FC Barcelona at Nou Camp despite their star Diego Costa having to leave early in the match because of thigh injury. Diego Simeone′s side held their rivals down to a 1–1 draw. Atletico Madrid will host Barca at Vicente Calderón‚ this time with more firepower as Costa is expected to have recovered from his injury. Match is on April 10 at 02:45 (GMT+8).

 

Bet on these teams to win with the odds below:

1X2 Barcelona @ 2.35

1X2 Draw @ 3.10

1X2 Atletico Madrid @ 3.20

 

Place your bets here

 

 


Source: SBOBET, VIQI News

La Liga: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona FC, April 2

 

Barca, Atletico set to break 3-game draw

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona extend their rivalry beyond the quest for the La Liga title as they face one another in the Champions League quarterfinals. The last three meetings between them ended up in draw. Will the trend finally be broken in the European stage? Match is on April 2 at 02:45 (GMT+8).

 

Betting Odds

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Source: SBOBET