Valencia vs. Recreativo
Athletic vs. Real Madrid
Valladolid vs. Getafe
Malaga vs. Sevilla
Espanyol vs. Mallorca
Betis vs. Osasuna
Sporting vs. Deportivo
Racing vs. Numancia
Atletico vs. Villarreal
Almeria vs. Barcelona
After a mixed week in Europe for La Liga sides, the focus returns to the league and the six point gap Barcelona hold over Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s men are not in action until the weekend’s last game, away at Almeria whose defeat at Sevilla last weekend had halted a good run. Hugo Sanchez has energized the Andalucians and emphasized their attacking flair, if not their brittle defence. In Alvaro Negredo they have one of the best strikers in Spain, and they have lost twice at home all season. However, after they cruised past Lyon in midweek it seems Barcelona have overcome their blip and should dispatch their hosts fairly comfortably.
Real Madrid endured a humiliating time at Anfield and were predictably cut to shreds by the rapacious Spanish media. Juande Ramos has the task of lifting his side for the visit to the San Mames. Real’s away record is almost identical to Athletic’s home record so this could be tight, although on the other hand Caparros’s men are without a win in 5 matches. Also on Saturday, Valencia host Recreativo. Los Che are in disarray, their poor form undoubtedly linked to the club’s ongoing financial woes. Manchester City are circling, making eyes at David Villa and expect other star players such as David Silva and Joaquin to be on their way in the summer. Recre are four points off relegation and will fancy their chances with the hosts’ morale being so low.
Sevilla are in third and are looking an increasingly safe bet for a champions league spot due to the inconsistency of the other challengers. They visit Malaga for what should be a cracking game against the team that has impressed so many people. Antonio Tapia has constructed a formidable team on a shoestring budget but 8 points separate them and Sevilla and Jiminez’s men are likely to prove too strong. In Sunday’s main game, 4th placed Villarreal visit Atletico Madrid after their sides experienced contrasting fortunes in this week’s Champions League fixtures. Abel Resino is under pressure to deliver a top 4 slot after being knocked out by Porto while Manuel Pellegrini is looking far more comfortable. Villarreal have Nihat and Llorente back and with Atleti’s defence should like their chances.
There’s three big games at the bottom; Espanyol’s match against Mallorca is a real relegation six-pointer with Gregorio Manzano’s men three points above the bottom three while Espanyol are desperately looking for points, 7 off safety. These two sides have had woeful seasons but Mallorca look far better placed. Real Betis, above Mallorca on goal difference, host Osasuna who are third bottom. Racing, not out of the woods by any means, simply have to beat Numancia but that won’t be easy give their atrocious home record. Sporting host Deportivo, the home side incredibly still have not drawn this campaign. Finally, Getafe, in trouble themselves, visit a Valladolid team that on their day are a match for anyone, although suspensions from last week’s card-fest at Recre will hamper their efforts.
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