Juande Ramos 11/10 to get off to a winning start tonight

Real Madrid/Zenit, 7.45pm, Sky Sports Int, Best Odds, Free Bets

In Juande Ramos’ last four games as Tottenham manager he drew with Wisla Krakow before losing to Hull, Stoke and Udinese. In his first four for Real Madrid he’ll be expected to pick up points against Zenit, Barcelona, Valencia and Villarreal. Here however, are a few good omens that suggest Ramos will get off to a winning start tonight and build on it:

» Juande Ramos went unbeaten in his first six games as Tottenham boss (excluding Blackburn, where he watched from the stands) and lost just one of his first eleven.

» During that impressive start, his Spurs side won each of his first three home games in charge, which bodes well for tonight’s Bernabeu game against Zenit.

Posted: December 10th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Real Madrid should win La Liga again

Past trends indicate three in a row for Calderon and co

Once the sangria induced hangovers have cleared, Spain’s footballing fraternity will have to stop basking in their Euro 2008 glory and look forward to kicking lumps out of each other in the new La Liga season. Because we care so much, here’s a guide to just about everything that’s going to happen.

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To find trends and research results, head to the chickendinner stats centre

» Real Madrid have secured successive La Liga titles but not since 1990-1994 (Barcelona) have any Primera Liga side managed to retain the championship three years in a row. However, the last time Real Madrid won consecutive league titles, they went on to win five in succession – 1985-1990.

» chickendinner superfact: Celta Vigo finished sixth in 2005/06 and were relegated the very next season. Real Zaragoza ended the 2006/07 season in sixth position and also found themselves relegated a year later. That spells bad news for Racing Santander who were this year’s sixth placed side.

» In four of the past five seasons, the side that finished fourth in La Liga went on to struggle in the next campaign, finishing tenth or lower and on one occasion being relegated. Atletico Madrid may be in for a long season.

Posted: August 29th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment