Current Relegation Battle In La Liga

Current Relegation Battle in La Liga

From the top four to the bottom four, this current La Liga season has been nothing short of  interesting.

We have seen teams who have struggled at the start of the campaign pick up form mid-season to go on a prolonged run of positive form. One of them being Barcelona, who currently lie in third place.

With the signing of Aubameyang proving to be a match made in heaven, it is no surprise why
bettors have been exploring over/under betting stats it pertains to the team.

However, this article is not about the top-performing La Liga teams currently, but the teams at the
threat of facing relegation.

It's surprising seeing teams who finished very clear from the relegation zone last season, currently struggling to find their way out of that zone.

Let's take a look at the La Liga teams currently clawing their way out of the red zone.

Levante

Levante have been in very poor form this season. In over 29 games played so far this season, they
have only won two, with about 85% of the other games ending in a loss. It's no surprise seeing them at the bottom of the La Liga table given how poorly they have been this season.

However, all hope is not lost. Levante have been in a similar situation in past seasons where they were battling in the red zone at the close of a season only to miraculously end the season steering clear. With such experience and the fact that they are just about nine points away from the team occupying the 16th spot, there is some faint chance they could turn things around positively.

Alaves

This is not the first time Alaves would be having their heart in their mouth as the season draws the curtain. Their last two seasons saw them finish 16th, which was a close shave from the relegation zone. Currently,they are hashing it out in the 19th spot of the table and it looks bleak for them.

Despite trying to claw their way out of the relegation zone, they have not been able to win in their
last five outings. This is obviously not promising for a team in such danger to not play in the top-
flight league next season.

Mallorca's

Mallorca’s current position, 18 th place, is not shocking at all, especially given their inexperience.
They only just stepped up to the La Liga this season and it is obvious the heat is too much for them to bear.

However, at some point in February, 2022, the team started showing promise by winning games.
Unfortunately, they fell to a consistent losing streak that has not been broken in six games now. It is even more disappointing that the team moved from being a highly goal-scoring team to barely
scoring a goal in games.

Though speculative, the absence of key players like their top midfielder Inigo Ruiz, who has been
injured since February, has dealt them a huge blow. Prior to the injury, Ruiz had been influential for most assists for Mallorca. It is obviously a big shoe that's been left to fill. Not to mention how their goalkeeper Dominik Greif has been missing from the team as a result of injury since February which could also be the reason why they've been heavily conceding.

Cadiz

Cadiz have slowly clawed their way out of the relegation zone after sealing two wins and two draws in their last five games. It was a surprising turn of events, given that they are relatively
inexperienced in La Liga as well.

Recently, Cadiz have shown great promise and have proven they mean business. Their last 1-0 win against Villarreal, was proof enough. Not to mention how it was by a very narrow escape that
Atletico Madrid could end up taking points against them. This is one team currently close to the red zone that sparks some optimism given their decent showing in recent games.

Granada

With Granada sitting 16 th in the La Liga table currently, it may seem as though they are in the clear, however, looking closely, they are just in as much danger.

The Nazaries are only one point ahead of Cadiz and two points ahead of Mallorca, who are currently in the red zone themselves. With Cadiz currently picking form, Alaves are not in the least bit safe and could be easily displaced if they let it slip any further. Are they going to pick up form and strife to steer clear from the relegation zone? Only time will tell.

Dubai World Cup Preview Sat 26th March 2022

The 26th running of Dubai World Cup meeting with 23 million pounds up for grabs ,with an excellent eight race card from Meydan, starting at 12.20 UK time .

Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Nakheel (Group 2) (Dirt) (3yo+) Winner £444,444 16 runners 1m Fast SK/RT 12.20 

 

race conditions  £740,741 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere 4yo+ and southern hemisphere 3yo+ Penalty value  1st  £444,444.44 2nd  £148,148.15 3rd  £74,074.07 4th  £37,037.04 5th  £22,222.22 6th  £14,814.81 

 

JERRYSBESTBETS FORM RATINGS :

 

1) SECRET AMBITION (113) (2) AL NEFUD (112) (3) DESERT WISDOM (109)

 

16 runners declared for this mile group two contest on the dirt .

 

The progressive 4-Y-0 gelding Al Nefud has been put in clear favourite at around 5-2 ,after chasing home American World Cup hope Hot Rod Charlie last time in G2 Al Maktoum challenge  ,though beaten over 5L that looked fair effort finishing 7l clear of the 105 rated Everfast in third . Had previously won two condition races over C/D at Meydan ,Has to be respected from decent draw in stall two ,though odds around 9-4 loo short enough in competitive 16 runner race .

 

At the prices last years winner  SECRET AMBITION should go well from decent draw in stall 3 ,was impressive winner of this race last year .Making all to win by 6L in good time .Ran better than his finishing position might suggest last time in 9f (G1) Saudi Cup,when leading till furlong and half out .Will be suited returning to this mile trip. Odds 7-1 looks very fair e/w value .

 

Of the others Desert Wisdom looks the most interesting ,after winning G3 Burj Nahaar over C&D last time at Meydan,coming from well off the pace to win comfortably.Looks open to further improvement over this trip .Place claims

 

Storm Damage has excellent strike rate on turf 4 our 6 ,including breaking the course record over 7f at Meydan last time ,though yet to race on the dirt has to be big question mark.

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Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World (Group 1) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £2,222,222 16 runners 1m1f Good SK/RT

 

race conditions  £3,703,704 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere 4yo+ and southern hemisphere 3yo+ Penalty value  1st  £2,222,222.22 2nd  £740,740.74 3rd  £370,370.37 4th  £185,185.19 5th  £111,111.11 6th  £74,074.07 

 

JERRYSBESTBETS FORM RATINGS

 

1)LORD NORTH (119) (2) SCHNELL MEISTER (118) (3) LORD GLITTERS (114) COLONEL LIAM (114)

 

15 runners go to post for Dubai Turf over 9 furlongs .This looks very strong G1 contest with plenty International interest . 

 

The Japanese Kingman colt Schnell Meister  has been put in clear favourite ,has shown progressive form ,winning 4 out 7  ,including winning G1 NHK mile at Tokyo last season .Also finished creditable second in G1 Mile Championship at Hanshin in November, behind six time G1 winner Gran Alegria  .decent claims on that form ,though just too short in the market for me at 2-1 in what looks competitive race.

 

Last years winner LORD NORTH  should go well for Dettori & Gosden team .Was an impressive winner of this race last year beating Vin De Garde by easy 3 lenghs in decent time .Has been lightly raced since ,though made an encouraging return at Lingfield last month when reportly only 75% fit ,finishing second behind the classy Alenquer .This looks much stronger race this year ,though is proven winner in group one company,including when winning Prince Of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2020 .Solid each-way claims ,especially with extra places on offer with some bookmakers .

 

Of the others the American five-year-old entire Colonel Liam has impressive strike rate ,winning 7 out 9 starts ,including winning three G1 races,though they didn't look the strongest of races .Will need further improvement to land this much stronger G1 contest .

 

The popular grey Lord Glitters has bit to find with Lord North on last years form ,though goes well here at Meydan.Could get in the shake up if the race is run at good clip .

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Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £2,666,667 15 runners 1m4f11y Good SK/RT

 

race conditions  £4,444,444 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere 4yo+ and southern hemisphere 3yo+ Weight for age  4yo from 5yo+ 1lb Penalty value  1st  £2,666,666.67 2nd  £888,888.89 3rd  £444,444.44 4th  £222,222.22 5th  £133,333.33 6th  £88,888.89 

 

JERRYSBESTBETS FORM RATINGS : 

1) AUTHORITY (121) (2)GLORY VASE (119) SHAHRYAR (119) (4) YIBIR (118)

 

15 runners go to post for this G1 turf contest over 12f, argualby the best race on the card ,with the Japanese runners holding very strong hand .

 

The Japanese five-year-old AUTHORITY looks very solid ,having finished excellent second in the Japan Cup in November behind the very useful five time G1 winner Contrail ,with Shahryar back in third .Made no mistake when dropped in class in G3 Neom Turf Cup at Riyadh at Saudi last month .Goes particularly well for French jockey Christophe-Lemaire who has won on the horse three times from four rides .Odds 13-2 looks good value .

 

The lightly raced four-year-old Shahryar should be in the mix, after finishing staying on third in Japan Cup only lengh and half behind Authority .Had previously won the Japan Derby at Tokyo in May .Looks open to further improvement after just six starts .

 

Of the others Hong Kong Vase winner Glory Vase has each-way claims ,after coming from off the pace to beat Pyledriver comfortbly at Sha Tin in December .Looks very consistent sort who very rarely runs bad race Should be in the shake-up.

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 DUBAI WORLD CUP RATINGS  :

12.20 GOLDEN MILE : SECRET AMBITION (112) AL NEFUD (111)

 

1.55 DUBAI GOLD CUP : MANOBO  (115) STAY FOOLISH (112)

1.35 AL QUOZ SPRINT : MAN OF PROMISE (118) CREATIVE FORCE (117)

3.20 DUBAI TURF : LORD NORTH (119) SCHNELL MEISTER (118)

3.55 SHEEMA CLASSIC : AUTHORITY (121) GLORY VASE (119) SHAHRYAR (119)

4.30 DUBAI WORLD CUP : LIFE IS GOOD (125) HOT ROD CHARLIE (121)

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MEYDAN WORLD CUP 2022 RECOMMENDED BETS :

 

SECRET AMBITION 12.20 MEYDAN G2 GOLDEN MILE 

0.50PT EACH-WAY @ 7-1 BET365 (BOG)

(UNPLACED SP 9-1 LOSS £100.00 /1.00PT )

 

LORD NORTH 3.20 MEYDAN G1 DUBAI TURF 

0.50 EACH-WAY @ 11-2 PADDY POWER.BETFAIRSPORTSBOOK

(WINNER (DEAD HEAT SP 10/3) PROFIT £167.00/1.67PT)

 

AUTHORITY 3.55 MEYDAN G1 SHEEMA CLASSIC

0.50 EACH-WAY @ 13-2 BET365 (BOG)

(THIRD SP 5-1 PROFIT £15.00 /0.15PT )

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STAKED :£300/3.00PTS

RETURN:£382/3.82PTS 

TOTAL PROFIT:£82.00/0.82PTS

Dubai World Cup 2022 Preview

The biggest night in global horse racing returns to Meydan Racecourse this weekend for the 26th running of the Dubai World Cup.

A capacity crowd of 80,000 is expected for the first time since 2019 for the nine-race card worth $30.5 million in prize money (up from $26.5 million last time around), culminating in the $12 million Dubai World Cup itself. The likes of Hot Rod Charlie, Country Grammer, Midnight Bourbon Aero Trem, Chuwa Wizard and Godolphin’s Magny Cours are bidding to join the roll of honour alongside greats such as Thunder Snow, American Pharoah, Curlin, Invasor and all the way back to Cigar in 1996.

Alongside the racing action there are plenty of other events to entertain, including the Style Stakes, closing ceremony fireworks and after-race concert featuring Becky Hill and Rudimental.

Dubai World Cup night racecard 

1 Dubai Kahayla Classic 2,000m (a10f), dirt, $1m

2 Godolphin Mile, 1,600m (a8f), dirt, $1m

3 Dubai Gold Cup, 3,200m (a16f), turf, $1m 

4 Al Quoz Sprint, 1,200m (a6f), turf, $1.5m

5 UAE Derby, 1,900m (a9.5f), dirt, $1m

6 Dubai Golden Shaheen, 1,200m (a6f), dirt, $2m

7 Dubai Turf, 1,800m (a9f), turf, $5m

8 Dubai Sheema Classic, 2,410m (a12F), turf, $6m

9 Dubai World Cup, 2,000m (a10F), dirt, $12m

DWC — the stats

DWC Most wins (trainer): Godolphin’s Saeed Bin Surour 9

  

Most wins (jockey): Jerry Bailey 4

 

Most (owner): Godolphin 9

 

Most wins (horse): Thunder Snow 2  

 

 

If you go

 

The Meydan Grandstand will see 80,000 racegoers in attendance, with the Apron Views hosting the Style Stakes throughout the day, offering prizes for Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Couple, Creative Hat and Creative Outfit, while the Golden Circle is the best spot for the post-race concert. All seats in the Granstand offer views of the racing action from the parade, all the way to the finishing post and winners’ circle.

After the dirt and turf have been torn up by the nine races, the traditional closing ceremony and fireworks will light up the sky before Brit Award winner and The Voice star Becky Hill, drum-and-bass ensemble Rudimental, DJ Sigala and local artist Ayesha Reid bring the curtain down with the after-race concert, which should begin around 9.30pm.

 

What they said 

Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum, the Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said: “We are so happy to have everyone back here for what will be a fantastic 26th running of the Dubai World Cup meeting. The atmosphere will be absolutely electrifying. The quality of the horses, trainers, owners and jockeys who have assembled is better than ever and we are looking forward to a superb day of racing with our guests from all over the world.”

                                                    While the highly prestigious $12 million race and its equally coveted undercard have attracted the very best from around the world over the years, the excitement is bound to amplify race day with a massive crowd expected to attend proceedings live at the 80,000-capacity venue. The organisation of this year’s Dubai World Cup further reinforces the city’s rising status as one of the globe’s leading venues for international sporting events.

Courtesy of  gulfnews.com & dubairacingclub.com

(SELECTIONS WILL BE POSTED LATER IN THE WEEK )

Looks fantastic card featuring five group one races and three group two races ,including some top class International runners from Japan ,U.S.A & Europe .

Meydan Super Saturday Preview (Sat 5th March 2022)

The major prep for Dubai World Cup day is the Super Saturday meeting, usually held on the first Saturday in March. Super Saturday allows trainers to put the finishing touches to their equine stars before appearing on racing’s biggest stage - Dubai World Cup day. As the official dress rehearsal for the Dubai World Cup, it is a major social occasion.

Cracking card at Meydan on Super Saturday with six group races ,including the two feature races the group one Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on dirt & Jebel Hatta on the turf .

Ras Al Khor Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Conditions) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £133,333 16 runners 7f Good SK/RT

 

race conditions  £222,222 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 16lb Penalty value  1st  £133,333.33 2nd  £44,444.44 3rd  £22,222.22 4th  £11,111.11 5th  £6,666.67 6th  £4,444.44 

 

This looks very strong 7f conditions race with 16 runners going to post .

 

WEIGHT ADJUSTED FORM RATINGS :

 

AL SUHAIL (112) STORM DAMAGE (111) D'BAI (108)

 

The Charlie Appleby trained Al Suhail has been put in short price favourite, after winning G2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket at the backend of last season.That was decent performace beating With Thanks by over 3 lenghs ,gets no penalty for that victory ,though makes no appeal at around 5-4 for horse that has never won first time out ,including when beaten fav on his reappearance last season at this meeting.

 

At the prices the lightly raced four-year-old gelding STORM DAMAGE looks the solid each-way bet , shown progressive form winning 4 out 6 ,including winning twice at Newmarket last season .Produced career best effort last time, when bolting up in fast time (0.93 under standard) in listed race over C&D at Meydan .Looks progressive sort open to further improvement this season .VALUE GUIDE PRICE 7-2 or ABOVE .

 

Of the others D'bai has each-way claims after finishing promising fifth on his reappearance behind Storm Damage ,staying on nicely in closing stages .Should improve for that first run of the season,has proven record in group company ,though has to overcome poor draw in stall 15 .

 

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Jebel Hatta Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 1) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £155,556 15 runners 1m1f Good SK/RT

 

race conditions  £259,259 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere 4yo+ and southern hemisphere 3yo+ Penalty value  1st  £155,555.56 2nd  £51,851.85 3rd  £25,925.93 4th  £12,962.96 5th  £7,777.78 6th  £5,185.19

Big field for this group one contest with 15 runners declared .

WEIGHT ADJUSTED FORM RATINGS :

LORD GLITTERS (115)  ZAKOUSKI (111)

Last years winner LORD GLITTERS looks sure go well,after winning the G2 Singspiel Stakes in good style last month over C&D at Meydan,coming with his customary late run to beat Royal Fleet comfortably,that form looks solid with Royal Fleet winning the G3 Dubai Millenium stakes next time.Goes particularly well at Meydan winning three times over C&D. VALUE GUIDE PRICE 2-1 or ABOVE .

Of the others Zakouski looks the main danger ,has decent strike rate 6 out 11,though has been beaten three times by Lord Glitters,including finishing third in Singspiel Stakes last time .Should be in the mix ,though has to reverse form with Lord Glitters .

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MEYDAN SUPER SATURDAY RECOMMENDED BET:

STORM DAMAGE 2.55 (@7-2) MEYDAN RAS AL KHOR CONDITION STAKES                        (WINNER SP 11-4 )

LORD GLITTERS 3.30 (@2-1) MEYDAN JEBEL HATTA GROUP ONE                       (UNPLACED SP 5-4)

0.50 PTS EACH-WAY DOUBLE @7-2 & 2-1 (PAYS 12.5-1 WITH BET365)                            (LOSS £100.00 /1.00PT)