20-12-2010 21:00 Manchester City - Everton

City Eyeing Top Spot

The game between Chelsea and Manchester United was postponed because of heavy snows in parts of the UK, as was Arsenal’s clash against Stoke City.

But Blackburn Rovers in the North West were able to stage their game against West Ham, and in nearby Manchester the signs are currently positive that City's clash with Everton will survive the freeze. If it does, and City go on to win it, they will have grasped a rare opportunity to go top of the table at Chjristmas. And that would serve to justify the club’s status as serious contenders to win the Premier League this term.

Yet at the same time, the wheels of the well-oiled machine that is City could be about to come off, following skipper Carlos Tevez's recent written transfer request. He has clearly expressed his desire to leave, which could potentially destabilise the club just as they reach the summit.

Tevez has cited an irreparable breakdown in his relationship with certain executives at the club, an admission which, combined with well-publicised homesickness, suggests his days at Eastlands are numbered.

On the other hand, the Argentine forward’s transfer request was denied, he has trained as normal and manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed that he intends to play the marksman against the Toffees.

But playing after being denied a transfer request could prove difficult for the player, whose attitude and body language will no doubt be the subject of close scrutiny. It will be interesting to see how Tevez handles the pressure, though he has pledged to remain professional and fully committed to his team.

Toffees Require Resurrection

Everton need to resurrect a season that is slowly slipping away and in danger of becoming one the fans would would prefer to forget.

Having accumulated a meagre 18 points from 17 games to date, they sit in 15th spot in the table. But the competitive nature of the Premier League means that their position could quickly change, as eighth-placed Newcastle United are only four points ahead. On the converse, relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic are only two points behind.

The Toffees also have a problem up front, as their strikers have been misfiring for some time now. Louis Saha’s goal drought continues, while Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford have been unable to compensate, and manager David Moyes has maintained that he intends to address the issue in the upcoming transfer window.

But before that, his side will have to get the right result if they are to push forward in a positive direction after going seven games without a victory.

And in these seven, the Merseyside club have kept only one clean sheet while conceding 12 goals, which is far too many for a team looking to finish much higher up the table than their current position.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester City

Roberto Mancini has already revealed that he intends to give striker Carlos Tevez a start against Everton, despite the player wanting out of the club.

James Milner would likely be expected to man the midfield in the absence of Nigel de Jong, who is serving a suspension. Emmanuel Adebayor (calf) is still a doubt for this game.

Possible starting XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Kolarov; Barry, Kompany; Silva, Milner, Yaya Toure; Tevez.

Everton

Steven Pienaar (ankle) and John Heitinga (knee) are both doubts for this encounter. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov could be deployed on the flank if the South African does not recover in time for the trip to Eastlands.

Tony Hibbert returns to contention, but James Vaughan (ankle) is unlikely to be available. Mikel Arteta is suspended so will definitely miss out.

Possible starting XI: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov; Cahill; Saha.

Prediction

City are flying high at the moment, and should be able to take three points off their off-colour opponents.

Man City 2-0 Everton

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18-12-2010 22:00 Real Sociedad - Valencia

Still Learning

Real Sociedad’s aim when they entered the Primera Division from the Segunda last summer was simply to re-establish themselves as a top flight club. As the halfway point in the campaign approaches, Martin Lasarte’s side can be pleased they’ve started along the right lines to do just that. With a weekend fixture against Valencia approaching, the Basques can even consider cementing themselves in the top half of the standings.

Though la Real have struggled a little when forced to play on their travels, they’ve been excellent at home. Of their seven fixtures at Anoeta, they’ve won an impressive five, amassing 15 of their 22 points at the venue.

Given their poor record on the road, and given the relative naivety of the side to top flight football after a rare hiatus in the second tier, it was little surprise to see the Txuri-urdin go down 5-0 against all-conquering Barcelona.

“At the moment, we are learning a lot,” Lasarte told the media after that reverse. “Real Sociedad still lack some competitiveness, but that will come.”

Such has been the comparative excellence of la Real’s start to the campaign, they have given themselves plenty of opportunity to learn lessons against the best. Boasting a massive nine point cushion to the relegation zone, there appears to be little danger of the San Sebastian side slipping back into the dogfight.


Not About To Fall Apart

It’s been a very frustrating season for Valencia so far. Los Che appeared ready to at least appear somewhere in the region of Barcelona and Real Madrid when they earned five wins from their opening six matches, but a loss at home to Barca has trigged an extremely fallow period by their lofty standards.

Over the course of their last nine domestic matches, Unai Emery has watched his side win only twice, allowing pressure to build on his shoulders by the demanding Mestalla crowd. Last weekend los Che were involved in an entertaining encounter against Osasuna, but the result was not the one desired as a 3-3 draw only served to stunt their dreams of the Champions League.

Twice Valencia enjoyed a two goal lead in that encounter only to be pegged back by their dogged rivals, leading to media suggestions that Emery has lost the dressing room. Aritz Aduriz denied such rumours, while David Albelda has indicated that the current slump is simply a natural blip.

“It is not a very good result, but the situation is reversible, and the team will not fall apart due to this,” he told the press. “All teams go through good and bad times.”

With the pressure building, this is a fixture Valencia could really do with impressing in, even if they cannot win it.

TEAM NEWS

Real Sociedad

Claudio Bravo is looking very likely to play the weekend’s fixture against los Che after previously being a doubt due to an ankle complaint. Martin Lasarte has no other issues.

Valencia

Ever Banega is out with an ankle problem. The Argentine sustained the problem during Thursday’s training session. Alejandro Dominguez, Mehmet Topal, Tino Costa, David Albelda and Miguel Angel Moya have all been battling injury issues this week.

Manuel Fernandes continues to train with Valencia until January 3, despite his immediate future being with Besiktas.

Prediction

After making a lightning quick start to the season, Valencia’s form has faded into the mediocre. Still capable of pulling off a big result, los Che look almost equally capable of losing to anyone. Even though Real Sociedad are going well at home, this could be their first split decision of the season.

Real Sociedad 1-1 Valencia

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18-12-2010 20:45 Milan - Roma

Ending On A High

Milan have had a brilliant second half of 2010 as they have been sensational in the first-half of the 2010-11 season. The Rossoneri are flying high in Serie A and are also through to the second round of the Champions League where they will confront Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

Currently perched on pole position with 36 points from 16 matches, Massimiliano Allegri's side are six points ahead of their nearest rivals in the Scudetto race and are bookmakers' favourites to win the championship.

With reigning Italian champions Inter struggling and already 13 points off the pace (albeit with a game of hand), only Juventus are credible title-challengers, meaning that the Rossoneri do have a very good chance of conquering Italy for the first time since 2004.

However, the Diavolo will aspire to wrap up the year with a victory over Roma. The Lupi have almost relinquished championship hopes but they do have the ability to hurt Milan. Conceding a defeat just before the Christmas break could be detrimental to Allegri's team's psyche and would also break their seven-game unbeaten run in the league as well.

Scudetto Chimera

With 26 points from 16 matches, Roma have virtually given up their slim hopes of a Scudetto challenge. On Saturday evening the Lupi will almost certainly lose sight of Milan if they lose at San Siro.

However, Roma will head to Milan with confidence after defeating Bari 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico and having drawn Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the second round of the Champions League, Claudio Ranieri's men will be confident of further progress in Europe.

To win in Milan, though, the Giallorossi will have to put in extra effort as they have won just once away from Rome all season in the league. Roma's defence too has looked susceptible as they have conceded 15 goals in eight away matches.

TEAM NEWS

Milan

Pato, Inzaghi, Oduamadi, Flamini, Thiago Silva and Zambrotta are injured and will miss the visit of Roma.

Roma

Vucinic and Lobont are injured and will miss the trip to Milan.

Prediction

Milan have proved themselves to be hugely strong at home and will be confident of crafting a win against Roma at San Siro. It could eventually prove to be a crucial match in the Scudetto race in the long run and one suspects that Allegri will tactically outwit Ranieri and gain maximum points.

Milan 2-1 Roma

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18-12-2010 20:00 Espanyol - Barcelona

Not Afraid

A cracking match is in store at the Cornella-El Prat on Saturday evening, where Espanyol host near neighbours Barcelona in what is sure to be a highly competitive fixture. While la Blaugrana boast a perfect seven wins from seven matches on their travels, los Periquitos can point to a perfect home record.

The very mention of Barca’s name can send fear running through sides, with Real Madrid proving earlier this season that they are not immune to such problems. But Espanyol are aiming to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona in front of their home fans.

“We are not afraid of Barcelona, but we know we have to go to war,” Pablo Osvaldo has explained this week. “We are going to play football, but we know that we are facing the best team in the world, and we need to use our own weapons.

“We must be a united group, and if we are not it will be become difficult for us to win. We will try to give joy to the people. We must be calm, and feeling the support of the fans will give us strength.”

Raul Baena echoed these comments, stating: “When we play them we must do so without fear, put pressure on them and play in our own style, as we did last year. We all know what they can do, but we also know that we have seven wins from seven at the Cornella-El Prat, and we want to make it eight.”

Espanyol have a history of thwarting their great neighbours, particularly at home, perhaps typified best by last season’s 0-0 draw just as Pep Guardiola’s men were trying to accelerate towards the title. Another such result will be considered possible by the hosts.

At The Pinnacle

Barcelona are a side that need no introduction, and they will be dead set on picking up three points on Saturday to ensure they finish 2010 as La Liga’s top club. Not only would that be one in the eye for Real Madrid, it would also be a bloody nose to local rivals Espanyol, who have taken much pleasure from frustrating Barca in recent times.

There has been no stopping Pep Guardiola’s men domestically in recent months. Eyebrows were raised in the early part of the season when questionable results were attained at home against Hercules and Mallorca, but since then they’ve completely found their stride, with the 5-0 Clasico victory over Real Madrid a match to be remembered throughout the generations.

But since defeating los Blancos in such style, Barca haven’t taken their eye from the ball and have maintained their intensity. Osasuna were dispatched 3-0 in Pamplona immediately after their Monday night success, while an awkward home fixture against Real Sociedad was brilliantly negotiated 5-0, with Lionel Messi typically starring.

Much has been made this week of Barca’s record breaking new advertising deal, but once again Guardiola will want his side to do their talking on the pitch. As fluent and as effective as ever – perhaps more so – Barcelona could round off 2010 in La Primera in fine style if they can pick up a 10th successive win.

TEAM NEWS

Espanyol

Manu Molina and Javi Lopez aren’t expected to feature after training at a lower level than their team-mates in the lead up to the derby. Javi Lopez is also touch and go.

Raul Rodriguez and David Lopez have hamstring issues, while coach Mauricio Pochettino has been suffering with flu.

Barcelona

Pep Guardiola almost has a full squad to select from. Gabriel Milito and Jeffren Suarez are the only two players injured.

Prediction

Winning may be beyond Espanyol, but upsetting Barcelona to earn a low scoring draw is a possibility that shouldn’t be discounted given the recent record between the two sides at the homes of los Periquitos. Pep Guardiola’s side appear in irrepressible for at present, however. Barca should be favourites for the win once again.

Espanyol 1-3 Barcelona

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18-12-2010 18:00 Villarreal - Mallorca

Must Keep Going

After the distraction of the Europa League in midweek, Villarreal return to domestic action against Mallorca on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are exceeding expectations towards their performance in La Liga at present, though it will be the Yellow Submarine who start this match as firm favourites to claim three points.

In midweek they made the trip to Club Brugge and picked up a useful 2-1 victory, fielding a relatively strong side given that qualification was already assured. Giuseppe Rossi levelled the score for the visiting side after Dorge Kouemaha had given the Belgians the advantage, and the Italian international soon put his side ahead from the penalty spot.

“We may have already qualified, but it was a confidence boost to win. We were the first Spanish team to qualify for the knockout stage, and this is an accomplishment,” Juan Carlos Garrido explained to the media after the match.

Rossi echoed his coach’s comments about a boost to the self-belief of the side, but he was keen to stress that they wish to stay on their present path. “I'm happy for the goals, but we have to continue like this because we haven't achieved anything for now,” he explained.

Winning every game is clearly an important objective for Villarreal at present, and with that in mind they’ll certain go after their guests at the weekend with some gusto.

Two Slips

Mallorca coach Michael Laudrup has been trying to temper enthusiasm over the club’s strong start to the campaign with reality, but there has been little better medicine to do that than the two defeats els Barralets have suffered over the last fortnight.

There was genuine optimism over the side’s chances when they went to Getafe a fortnight ago, but they were forced to retreat from the capital in an embarrassed state, having been convincingly defeated 3-0. Last weekend the Islanders suffered another poor reverse, this time going down 1-0 at home against Racing Santander.

The Iberostar Estadi has been something of a stronghold for Mallorca over the course of the last 18 months, but now that their aura of invincibility at that venue is fading, they are at least going relatively well on their travels. Wins over Sevilla and Valencia have caught the eye, but it is arguably a draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou that represents their greatest triumph this season.

Villarreal are one of the few sides in Spain who can argue that their home is even more intimidating than Barca’s. Since Juan Carlos Garrido took charge of the Yellow Submarine, they’ve only failed to win at El Madrigal on two occasions in league play, going down against la Blaugrana last term and drawing against Valencia this.

Els Barralets will have to be at their absolute peak to take anything from this encounter.

TEAM NEWS

Villarreal

Carlos Marchena is suspended, though a hamstring injury will see him out for a month. Mateo Musacchio has had a yellow card quashed and will be able to play after putting off a suspension.

Mallorca

Azoye and Sergio Tejera are both missing from Brian Laudrup’s squad due to injury complaints. The Dane has no other worries, aside from Gonzalo Castro, who didn’t finish Thursday’s training session.

Prediction

Form dictates that Villarreal have to be considered favourites for this match. Even though Mallorca have undoubtedly improved on their travels, they don’t have the ability to live with a Villarreal side who are simply a winning machine when playing in front of their own fans.

Villarreal 2-1 Mallorca

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