Spanish La Liga 2019/20 Season Assists Totals: Messi Over/Under Set at 14.5
- Barcelona superstar last beat target figure in 2015/16
- Hazard fancied but Real Madrid have endured troubled pre-season
- Griezmann set to make a creative impact at Camp Nou
Lionel Messi was the joint-most productive playmaker in Spain’s La Liga last season and is highly likely to be as influential again as Barcelona chase a third successive title.
Along with the 36 goals he scored, he delivered 13 assists in the competition for his teammates. That figure was equalled only by Pablo Serabia of Sevilla. Serabia, Messi’s equal last season, has left Sevilla for Paris Saint-Germain.
The analysts suggest Messi may be even more creative in the coming campaign.
He is priced at +100 to beat a target figure of 14.5 assists, the greatest amount expected from any player in the competition.
However, the oddsmakers rate the Argentine superstar at -130 to deliver fewer than 14.5 assists. Since he hasn’t beaten that total in the past three seasons, this offers the better value now that he is 32-years-old.
Lionel Messi 2019-20 Assists Odds
| Player | Assists Total | Assists 2018-19 | Over Odds | Under Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 14.5 | 13 | +100 | -130 |
*All odds taken at 2019/08/14
The last time Messi beat the 14.5 figure in La Liga was in 2015/16 when he summoned up 16 assists. The following season, the tally was nine. In 2017/18, it was 12 ahead of last season’s 13.
Frustrating Finale
It was a frustrating end to last season for Messi after the title win.
First, Barca suffered a shock exit against Liverpool in the Champions League semifinal. Then they were defeated in the Copa Del Rey final by Valencia.
After that, Argentina were beaten by Brazil in the semifinal of the Copa America.
Finally, he was sent off in the third-place playoff match against Chile and then banned from the international game for three months after describing the competition as “corrupt.”
He will miss international friendlies against Germany, Chile and Mexico which will mean there will be no interruption this autumn to his focus on the club game.
Can't wait for friday. La Liga starts… pic.twitter.com/xjKzoiOexs
— Barca Galaxy (@barcagalaxy) August 14, 2019
All of this suggests he may be more determined to succeed with Barcelona, which would increase his productivity.
He will also miss international friendlies against Germany, Chile and Mexico which will mean there will be no interruption this autumn to his focus on the club game.
The prime target for Barca will be the UCL but they are favorites to win La Liga again.
Messi is struggling to be fit for the opening game at Athletic Bilbao on Friday, as he has a calf injury. But it will not affect his long-term prospects for the season.
Suarez Ready to Profit
His assists total could be raised this season by the return to full fitness of his forward partner Luis Suarez.
The Uruguayan scored 21 times in La Liga last season but was hampered by knee problems and missed the final three games for surgery.
THE BEST LB | JORDI ALBA – SMART ASSISTS & GOALS 2018/2019#jordi #alba #jordialba #Barcelona #football #LeftBack #defender #Spain https://t.co/mWSFxIvWq2
— Dimitri (@Dimitri42468692) August 6, 2019
A sharper Suarez will offer Messi more scope for setting up goals.
Messi has not beaten this figure in three seasons. Pick: Under -130
Antoine Griezmann 2019-20 Assists Odds
| Player | Assists Total | Assists 2018-19 | Over Odds | Under Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antoine Griezmann | 12.5 | 8 | +100 | -130 |
The arrival of French World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann will also offer more opportunity. He scored 15 times in La Liga for Atletico Madrid in 2018-19.
Keen to make an impact after his move, Griezmann offers better value than Messi to beat his projected figure.
The alternative scenario is that Griezmann takes on some of the creative work from Messi.
Griezmann is the second-ranked potential creator of opportunities for Barcelona.
With a target figure of 12.5 assists, he is +100 to beat the mark and -130 to fall short. He delivered eight assists last season as Atletico finished second. Keen to make an impact after his move, Griezmann offers better value than Messi to beat his projected figure.
Reports suggest FC Barcelona have offered PSG €100M + Coutinho and Rakitic for Neymar Jr.
Is the Brazilian superstar needed with Griezmann, Messi, Dembele and Suarez already at Camp Nou? #KOEngage
For more international football news ➡️ https://t.co/LJUDHk5wPI pic.twitter.com/zXGhL073rG
— Kick Off (@KickOffMagazine) August 14, 2019
Barca’s attacking full-back Jordi Alba, who had nine assists last season, is interestingly priced at -105 to beat a target of 7.5 this time around. To fall short, its -125.
Ready to make a success of big transfer. Pick: Over +100
Hazard Promise at Real
It is Real Madrid’s new arrival Eden Hazard who is expected to be the second-most influential supplier of chances. Books price him at +100 to deliver more than 13.5 assists and -130 to create fewer.
Real’s pre-season has been troubled with suggestions that coach Zinedine Zidane may quit. Their odds for winning La Liga have drifted out. It does not, at this stage, suggest that Hazard will enjoy a particularly productive time as he settles in.
Joao Felix 2019-20 Assists Odds
| Player | Assists Total | Assists 2018-19 | Over Odds | Under Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joao Felix | 5.5 | 9 | -135 | +105 |
In the search for good value, Atletico’s new arrival, Joao Felix is an intriguing prospect. He is priced at +105 to deliver fewer than 5.5 assists.
Zinedine Zidane 'on brink of resigning' https://t.co/XyBIxWVtvw pic.twitter.com/KF19arAisE
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) August 14, 2019
He commanded a $186 million transfer fee. But at 19, he may take time adjust to the greater demands of La Liga after arriving from Benfica of Portugal.
It could be a transitional season for the club after a large number of personnel changes which may affect Felix’s productivity, although he is rated at -135 to beat the target.
Felix may require time to adapt to the La Liga and Atletico Madrid system. Pick: Under +105
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
