Betting tips / Michael Lintorn / 05 January 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

Michael Lintorn doesn't believe three new coaches in La Liga will make much difference to whether the sides under them will win in the next round of matches.

There was a distinct lack of festive cheer in La Liga, with three clubs using the winter break as an opportunity to get shot of their struggling bosses and bring in some fresh blood.

Atletico Madrid made the most high-profile move, with nomadic Diego Simeone stepping into the dugout at a club who show similar distain for the concepts of continuity and stability.

They haven't kept a coach for longer than three years since 1986, so have shrewdly hired a tactician who has held seven posts in six years, eliminating the need for either party to worry about the other demanding loyalty.

Despite not sticking around for long at any of his former sides, Simeone enjoyed a fair amount of success, earning Argentine titles with Estudiantes and River Plate. His only previous European spell though was a few reasonable but unremarkable months in Serie A with Catania.

Making way for the ex-Atletico midfielder is Gregorio Manzano, who successfully negotiated a route into the knockout rounds of the Europa League - which they are [16.0] to win - yet failed to impress domestically, the main issue being just one point taken from seven away games.

Those who saw Simeone's Catania team on their travels will query whether he is the ideal man to fix that, and he faces a tough baptism on Saturday at Champions League hopefuls Malaga, who nearly beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.

The Argentine has demanded a side in his own image - aggressive, strong and committed - but it is [3.4] that those qualities shine through at La Rosadela, where the hosts are [2.32] favourites.

Another newcomer poised for a difficult start is Jose Francisco Molina at Villarreal, who after axing former B team boss Juan Carlos Garrido on account of their horrendous form decided to throw the latest Villarreal B coach in at the deep end.

The top-half regulars are teetering above the drop zone and have won only three in 24 in all competitions, which is why they are [3.3] to triumph in Sunday's derby with Valencia despite home advantage, with the visitors [2.4] to prevail.

Even bottom club Zaragoza's new chief Manolo Jimenez, once of Sevilla, is rated unlikely to open his tenure with a victory, and they head to 19th-placed Santander. It is [4.1] that the Blanquillos end their 11-match winless streak at El Sardinero, having lost at home to Alcorcon in the cup on Tuesday.