Ancelotti to Confirm Future Plans After La Liga Season Finale

Carlo Ancelotti has announced he will disclose his future plans following Real Madrid’s final La Liga match on May 25. The announcement came admidst speculation linking him to the Brazil national team job. The Italian tactician, whose contract with Los Blancos runs until 2026, has maintained focus on Madrid’s title pursuit. With five games remaining, Ancelotti’s team trails fierce rivals Barcelona‘s by four points. A league triumph would provide some consolation after a disappointing cup campaign with Madrid having fallen short in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona and exiting the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Arsenal in the quarter-finals. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s encounter with Celta Vigo, Ancelotti emphasized that discussions about his future would wait until the season concludes. “I have a great deal of affection for this club, the players, and our fans—along with a lot of respect,” said the 65-year-old. “That’s why I’ll speak about my future on May 25, not before.” Real Madrid host Real Sociedad in their final league fixture, after which the squad will travel to the United States to prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup, kicking off June 14. Reflecting on his tenure in the Spanish capital, Ancelotti added: “The day I leave Madrid will be a beautiful one. I’ve never had a single issue with this club during either of my spells here.”

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Barcelona Rally to Edge Valladolid with Second-Half Surge

Barcelona produced a second-half comeback to defeat Real Valladolid 2-1 on Thursday. This has kept their grip on top spot in La Liga. It has also helped them gain momentum ahead of their upcoming clash with Inter. Despite being virtually relegated, Valladolid showed no signs of backing down. The hosts stunned Hansi Flick’s men early, as Iván Sánchez’s effort deflected off Ronald Araújo. Then, he spun awkwardly beyond Marc-André ter Stegen just six minutes into the goalkeeper’s return from injury. Raúl Moro tested Ter Stegen again shortly after, while Pau Víctor forced a pair of saves at the other end. Barcelona’s attacking efforts from Ansu Fati  and Fermín López blocked as Valladolid stubbornly held their lead into the break. Dani Rodríguez showed flashes of quality before unfortunately exiting due to a shoulder injury, while Lamine Yamal’s introduction injected more urgency into the visitors’ play. Flick made key changes at halftime, introducing Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong. Raphinha made an instant impact latching onto a poor punch from goalkeeper André Ferreira. Just minutes later, Barcelona completed the turnaround when Gerard Martín’s delivery was met by Fermín.

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Alonso Has ‘Nothing New to Say’ on Future in Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso remained tight-lipped about his managerial future amid growing speculation linking him with the Real Madrid job. The Bayern Leverkusen boss refused to address the rumours during Friday’s press conference. Spanish outlets have positioned Alonso as a leading candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti. This replacement would come should the Italian depart this summer. Despite having a year left on his contract, Ancelotti has come under pressure following a disappointing campaign in LaLiga. Alonso, who previously played under Ancelotti during a five-year spell at Real Madrid. He won the Champions League with the club before moving to Bayern Munich. Yet, when asked about a potential return to Madrid in a new role, he offered no new insight. “My future? Nothing new to say, the answer remains the same. We have to wait,” Alonso told reporters ahead of Leverkusen’s trip to Freiburg.“Communication with the club is still good. There is clarity between everyone.” The 42-year-old’s stock has risen dramatically since guiding Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title last season, going unbeaten and adding the German Cup while reaching the Europa League final. While this season hasn’t matched that historic high, with Bayern Munich closing in on reclaiming the league crown, Alonso remains focused on ending the campaign strongly. “It’s still the second-best season in the club’s history and we want to continue pursuing this goal,” he said. Leverkusen face a tough test on Sunday against Freiburg, who currently sit fourth and are pushing for a Champions League place.“This battle is very exciting to watch at the moment. In the remaining three games, we only have Freiburg, (Borussia) Dortmund and Mainz as opponents who are fighting for European spots. They will be intense games for us again.” However, Leverkusen may have to do without striker Victor Boniface, who has contributed 11 goals in all competitions this season. “He felt something in his thigh muscles yesterday and didn’t train today,” Alonso revealed. “We’ll see if he’s available for Sunday.”

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Football Prediction Today: Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo

Real Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabéu to face Celta Vigo in a crucial La Liga Matchday 34 clash. Read the preview for the Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo. With the title race heating up, Los Blancos need all three points to keep pressure on leaders Barcelona, while Celta Vigo aim to solidify their push for a European spot. Matchplug provides the odds and in-depth preview for this Spanish top-flight battle. Betting Preview for Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo Betting On Real Madrid Real Madrid were left heartbroken after a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final and now turn all focus to La Liga. They remain four points behind the Catalans and could enter this game with a seven-point gap if Barcelona win on Saturday.Los Blancos have been strong at home all season, but a recent 2-1 loss to Valencia showed vulnerability. With the title on the line and an El Clasico rematch looming, this fixture is a must-win. Expect stars like Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior to be heavily involved. Betting On Celta Vigo Celta Vigo bounced back from back-to-back defeats with a commanding 3-0 win over Villarreal. That result kept them seventh in the table and in control of a potential Europa League berth.They’ve shown threat on the road recently and will be optimistic about finding the net again. Celta’s front line of Iago Aspas and Jørgen Strand Larsen poses problems, especially against high-pressing sides like Madrid. MatchPlug Prediction For Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo Real Madrid need a strong response after two cup heartbreaks and will be pushing hard to keep their title dream alive. However, Celta have the form and attacking quality to make things interesting. Our prediction for Sunday’s clash is a high-scoring Real Madrid win, with both teams finding the net. Final Prediction: Real Madrid

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football predictions today: atletico vs las palmas

Football Expert Picks: Las Palmas VS Atletico Madrid

Las Palmas will continue their battle to avoid La Liga relegation with a tough home fixture against Atletico Madrid in Matchday 32 on Saturday. Read our preview of the Las Palmas vs Atletico Madrid. The Rojiblancos are chasing a top-two finish, while Las Palmas are desperate to escape the drop zone. Matchplug has the odds and analysis for Las Palmas VS Atletico Madrid. The match is scheduled for 08:00 PM on Saturday, April 19th, 2025. Before making any picks, read below for Matchplug’s odds and preview. Betting Preview for Las Palmas VS Atletico Madrid Betting On Las Palmas Las Palmas earned a surprise 3-1 win away at Getafe last weekend, their first win in 13 matches across all competitions (D4, L9). That victory boosted their survival hopes, but their home form remains a big concern. They’ve drawn two and lost four of their last six home games in La Liga, conceding 12 goals in that span. Alberto Moleiro could get a starting role after assisting in the last game, but goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen is unlikely to feature. Betting On Atletico Madrid Atletico Madrid are in solid form, winning two straight games(4-2) against Valladolid and (2-1) against Sevilla. These results came after a poor run of five losses in six matches. However, they’ve still struggled away from home, winning just one of their last five road games. In team news, De Paul and Samuel Lino remain doubtful. Griezmann missed initial training but is expected to be available. Historically, Atletico have dominated this fixture—winning five of the last six meetings with four clean sheets. MatchPlug Prediction For Las Palmas VS Atletico Madrid Las Palmas finally got a win last week but still struggled at home. Atletico have found their rhythm again and should be too strong, even if they concede. Final Prediction: Atletico Madrid Over/Under

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Football Prediction Today: Barcelona vs Celta Vigo

Barcelona host Celta Vigo at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday in a high-stakes La Liga clash. Read our preview for the Barcelona vs Celta Vigo. The kickoff is set for 3:00 PM ET. Matchplug has the best football picks for you. Read on to see our preview of this match. Betting Preview for Barcelona VS Celta Vigo Betting On Barcelona Barcelona remain four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table and have gone unbeaten in all 12 home league matches in 2025, winning nine. They’ve also scored at least three goals in six of their last seven home games, underlining their dominance. Even without injured players like Balde, Casado, and Ter Stegen, the hosts have enough attacking power to cause problems. With the title race heating up, they’ll want to avoid dropping points here. Betting On Celta Vigo Celta have been strong on the road lately, going unbeaten in their last four away games. But their record at Barcelona is poor. They have lost six of their last seven visits, conceding 19 goals in that stretch. They’ll be without Carl Starfelt due to a hamstring injury, and Hugo Álvarez remains a doubt. With limited options at the back, containing Barça’s forwards could prove too tall a task. MatchPlug Prediction For Barcelona VS Celta Vigo Barcelona will want to respond after their midweek setback and should be too strong at home. While Celta could grab a goal, expect the league leaders to dominate the scoreboard. Final Prediction: Barcelona Moneyline

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Football Prediction Today: Deportivo Alaves VS Real Madrid

La Liga returns this weekend as Deportivo Alaves face off against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid on Sunday, April 13th, 2025. Read Matchplug’s preview for Deportivo Alaves VS Real Madrid. The match kicks off at 15:15 at the Estadio Mendizorroza. Real Madrid are aiming to maintain their challenge for the La Liga title, while Alaves, struggling near the bottom, are desperate for points to avoid relegation.Matchplug provides all the key insights ahead of the Deportivo Alaves VS Real Madrid game. Betting Preview for Deportivo Alaves VS Real Madrid Betting On Deportivo Alaves Deportivo Alaves are 17th in the La Liga standings and have struggled all season. However, they managed a narrow 1-0 win over Girona last week and will head into this game with some confidence. Alaves will need to be at their best to get a result here, especially against a Real Madrid team with far more quality. They have been tough to break down at home recently, but their overall form remains a concern. Betting On Real Madrid Real Madrid are currently second in the La Liga table, but they’ve been inconsistent. Their 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League showed vulnerabilities that they’ll need to address. With a squad packed with talent like Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and Karim Benzema, Los Blancos have the quality to dominate this match. Despite their slip-ups, they remain the stronger side and will be eager to bounce back from their midweek loss. MatchPlug Prediction Deportivo Alavés VS Real Madrid Real Madrid have had their share of struggles this season but should have more than enough to beat a struggling Alaves side. While the home team may pose some challenges, their lack of consistency makes them unlikely to keep up with the firepower of Madrid. Final Prediction: Real Madrid

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Football Prediction Today: Sevilla vs Atlético Madrid Sure Tips

On April 6th, 2025, Sevilla will host Atlético Madrid at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in an exciting La Liga encounter. Read our preview for the Sevilla vs Atlético Madrid match. The match kicks off at 15:15, with both sides looking to bounce back from recent setbacks and take all three points. Sevilla will be eager to return to winning ways, while Atlético Madrid will aim to recover from a disappointing Copa del Rey defeat. Betting Preview for Sevilla vs Atlético Madrid Betting on Sevilla Currently sitting in 11th place with 36 points, Sevilla have had an inconsistent season. Despite showing flashes of good form, they have struggled, particularly at home. With their home crowd behind them, Sevilla will need to find a way to improve their defense. They have struggled historically against Atlético Madrid, so they will need to put in a strong performance to get a positive result. Betting on Atlético Madrid Atlético Madrid, sitting comfortably in 3rd place with 57 points, have had a solid season overall. They will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. Atlético will be keen to improve their defense and return to winning ways after 2 consecutive away draws in the league. With a potent attack and solid leadership under Diego Simeone, Atlético will still be the favorites in this match. MatchPlug Prediction for Sevilla vs Atlético Madrid This encounter promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams looking to get back on track. Sevilla have struggled at home, and facing a determined Atlético Madrid side, they will find it tough to secure a victory. While Atlético has had defensive issues, they still possess the quality to edge out Sevilla in this matchup. Prediction: Atlético Madrid Over/Under

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Football Prediction Today: Barcelona vs Real Betis Sure Tips

La Liga action continues this Saturday as league leaders Barcelona take on fifth-place Real Betis in a high-stakes encounter at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.  Read our preview for the Barcelona vs Real Betis match. The game is scheduled for 21:00 on April 5, 2025.   Match Plug has a detailed preview for all football matches. Keep reading for an analysis of team form, key players, and potential scoreline for this fixture.   Betting Preview for Barcelona vs Real Betis    Betting on Barcelona   Barcelona sits at the top of the La Liga standings with 66 points and will be eager to extend their lead with another home victory. Hansi Flick’s side is in red-hot form, winning nine consecutive league matches, including a dominant 41 victory over Girona last weekend.   Barça has been exceptional at home, winning 16 of their last 21 matches at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. With Robert Lewandowski leading the attack, the Catalans will aim to maintain their momentum.   However, they will be without Marc Casado, Dani Olmo, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Bernal due to injuries.    Betting on Real Betis   Real Betis is in fifth place with 47 points and has been impressive recently, winning four straight matches across all competitions, including a Seville derby victory over Sevilla.   Manuel Pellegrini’s men have also won five of their last six away games, making them a tough opponent for Barcelona. However, their historical record against Barça is poor, losing 83% of their last six La Liga meetings.   To make matters worse, key midfielder Isco is suspended, which could weaken Betis’ attacking play.   MatchPlug Prediction for Barcelona vs Real Betis   Both teams are in great form, but Barcelona’s dominant home record and superior head-to-head history make them favorites. Real Betis is strong on the road, but the absence of Isco and their struggles at this venue could prove costly.   Final Prediction: Barcelona to win.

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Football Prediction Today: Real Madrid vs Valencia Sure Tips

Title contenders Real Madrid will look to strengthen their position in La Liga when they take on Valencia at the Santiago Bernabéu this Saturday. Read the preview for the Real Madrid vs Valencia match. The game is scheduled for 15:15 on April 5, 2025. Match Plug has a detailed preview for all football matches. Keep reading for an analysis of team form, key players, and potential scoreline for this fixture. Betting Preview for Real Madrid vs Valencia Betting on Real Madrid Real Madrid is in second place with 63 points and remains in the title race, looking to close the gap at the top. Los Blancos have been dominant in La Liga, boasting a 66% win rate this season and scoring 2+ goals in four of their last six meetings with Valencia. With home advantage at the Bernabéu, Real Madrid will aim to secure a comfortable win and keep up their pursuit of first place. Betting on Valencia Valencia currently sits 15th in the standings with 31 points and has struggled for consistency this season. However, they have managed to draw 50% of their last six matches, showing resilience in recent games. Defensively, Valencia has been vulnerable, with 60% of their last 10 matches seeing over 2.5 goals. They will need a strong performance to avoid another heavy defeat at the hands of Real Madrid. MatchPlug Prediction for Real Madrid vs Valencia Real Madrid’s attacking firepower and superior head-to-head record make them clear favorites. Valencia may put up a fight, but Madrid’s quality should shine through. Final Prediction: Real Madrid to win.

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