With the new La Liga season dawning upon us, a preview of the teams taking part in the new season is in order. First up are those who are expected to be some of the last.
Levante: Although Levante is known for it's sunny beaches, it's likely to be a very gloomy year for the "Granotes". They were promoted as the third-placed team from the Segunda, and while finishing just behind Hercules and Real Sociedad, they haven't take the right steps into making a team that looks to be strong enough to stay in the Primera Division. Though some smart signings like Gustavo Munua and Xavi Torres, Levante is the team most La Liga fans expect to see at the bottom at the pack.
Hercules: Hercules made their way to La Liga much in very similar circumstances as Levante. They looked strong at first, had a major slump at about the half way point, then fought their way back into the top spots. Even though they've strengthened their squad with 7 signings (as of August 24th) including Nelson Valdez and ex-Herculano Abel Aguilar, they remain the bookies second favorite for the bottom spot. Hercules will need the "never give up" spirit that they had in many games last year to stay up.
Malaga: After being bought by a Qatari billionaire this summer, big things were expected to change for Malaga, but in reality all they've done is brought in Jesualdo Ferreira, who failed to make the Champion's League with Porto. With the rest of the teams around them gearing up for the new season, Malaga have lost most of their better players from last year, who had to return from loan to their parent clubs. Promising Venezuelan stiker Jose Rondon has joined from Las Palmas, but he's still largely inexperienced. This will be a tough year for the Anchovies, but they're hoping Jesualdo Ferreira can turn the squad of relative unknowns into a solid La Liga team.
Real Sociedad: Although having a relatively young squad, the players of Sociedad are largely experienced. A large part of the group are players that came from the youth team and started with the first team at a very early age. They've also incorporated a lot of exciting players like Joseba Llorente, Raul Tamudo, Antoine Griezmann (a young winger that was a relavation last season), and Dutch talent Jeffrey Sarpong. They deservedly finished as champions of the Segunda, and are fully expecting an extended stay in La Liga. Much like the other Basque teams, they've got a more physical branch-off of the usually technical style of Spanish teams, and they come with a bite. Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao have been giving the bigger teams of the league a lot to worry about whenever they meet, and Sociedad are hoping to do the same. And they'll try to work on the usual weekness of Basque teams from falling to the smaller teams in the league. This is the team I expect to finish with the most margin of safety as new comers, and will be looking to finish somewhere closer to mid-table then.
Almeria: Did generally good last year finishing in 13th, the core of their starting XI is still there and intact. They depend a lot on their speed and counter attacking, which could also be their downfall. The Almeria players are generally small in stature, which is expected of a more speedy team. They won't expect to get too many points off the bigger teams in the league, which means their survival depends largely on the points they get against the teams in the middle and bottom of the league. It just so happens that more and more teams that aren't in the top 10 or so (bar Athletic Bilbao) are getting more physical with their play. Pablo Piatti and Albert Crusat are the fan favorites, and both are under 5'5". Jose Ortiz and Kalu Uche aren't very big center forwards, and rely a lot on their speed and positional sense rather then physicality. The one true traditional center forward in the ranks is Henrik Goitom (who's 6'5"), but starts on the bench and only scored once last season in 21 league appearances. The Almeria midfield is solid, the defense was suspect at times, but with Diego Alves in goal, and new Danish defender Michael Jacobsen alongside team captain Santiago Acasiete, they're hoping to be more complete. With speedy wingers it doesn't seem as necessary to have your central forwards small and nimble, but I'm no manager. I don't see this season being as bright for Almeria fans, and they'll need Diego Alves at his very best to stop chances then quickly distribute the ball out for the counter attack to have a real sense of safety this year.
Zaragoza: This team doesn't have much going for them. They've signed Leo Franco and Nicolas Bertolo, while selling a few of their better players but their squad remains largely made of players more suited for Segunda play or La Liga players just beyond they're best. They're best talent is probably Ander Herrera, 20 year old Spanish youth international midfielder, but if he isn't picked away by the winter transfer window I'd be amazed. I see them as going down, but they'll give it a fight.
Racing: Very similar situation as Zaragoza, they've got Henrique back for another year along with Tziolis, and will be hoping from good things for them two along with veterans Pedro Munitis, Meme Tchite, and Oscar Serrano if they are to have a chance to stay up.
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