16-10-2010 22:00 Malaga - Real

So Much For Home Comforts

It’s irregular for a team in any top league to be reliant upon their away form, but Malaga have bucked this trend early in the Primera Division season. With six matches on the clock, the Andalucian outfit have yet to earn a point at home, yet they have been superb on their travels, chalking up seven marks in just three games.

Real Madrid visit la Rosaleda at the weekend, and though Jesualdo Ferreira will not want his side to endure a fourth successive defeat in front of their home fans, the canny Portuguese boss is doubtless aware that such an outcome is a probability. Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal complete a formidable list of visitors to have plundered three points from the southern venue already this season, and los Blancos will be keen to add their name to these strong clubs.

“We want to do damage to Madrid on Saturday,” Weligton told the press. “We want to record our first home win. It is important to play a good game at home, and get the result that we want.

“We will have to play at 100 per cent. Against a big team our fans will encourage us and we want to make them happy. However, we should not focus on stopping one player because any one of them can make a difference.”

Having had a stake in the club bought by the Qatari royal family in the summer, the long-term future of los Boquerones looks sunny, with Alexis Sanchez and Ryan Babel linked to the club recently, but at the weekend, the forecast is once again a gloomy one.

Now In Top Gear?

Just as the critics were ready to groan at the monotonous nature of Real Madrid’s progress this season, they exploded into life prior to the international break, recording a thumping 6-1 victory over Deportivo La Coruna.

Despite boasting the most expensive offensive line in world football, los Blancos had struggled in front of goal in the early weeks of the season, scoring a succession of narrow victories that were disrupted only by scoreless draws against Mallorca and Levante away from home. A far more efficient performance against Depor allowed the fans to see what their side is really capable of.

“We always thought that we would get to this level of improvement,” striker Gonzalo Higuain enthused to the media after the game. “I’m happy for everyone in general because we have been very good.”

Such an emphatic victory, together with Mourinho’s brand of winning football, has sparked great belief in the Madrid camp that the league crown could finally be returning to the capital come May.

“After two years of not winning a thing, we think it's our time,” Esteban Granero has stated.

Middleweight opposition such as Malaga need to be gobbled up by los Merengues if they are to emerge as the dominant force in Spain this year. Mourinho’s men may twice have been held to 0-0 draws on their travels this season, but against a Malaga side who have already conceded a league-high 12 times, expect los Blancos to pick up maximum points.

A win was expected for Madrid on the final day of last season, but they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at La Rosaleda when they needed to win to have a shot at the title. Los Blancos, however, are unbeaten away to the Andalucians since 1983, winning 13 times and drawing five.

TEAM NEWS

Malaga

Ruben Martinez is expected to be sidelined due to an injury sustained in training so Rodrigo Galatto is ready to claim the gloves.

Sebastian Fernandez should be involved from the outset, replacing the suspended Eliseu.

Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has named a panel of 20 players for the weekend’s fixture, with Pedro Leon, Sergio Canales and Raul Albiol the most notable inclusions.

Sergio Ramos has overcome an injury picked up against Scotland while playing with Spain, but Ezequiel Garay, Fernando Gago and Kaka remain absent.

Prediction

Jose Mourinho has seen his side stutter on the road already this season, and he’ll be anxious to avoid another mishap against a Malaga team who have yet to earn a point at home. There shouldn’t be too much of a problem for los Blancos, though they are still perfecting the art of the 1-0 win that the Portuguese values so highly. If los Merengues don’t click properly, it could be another tight one, but if they do, another emphatic victory shouldn’t be dismissed.

Malaga 2-2 Real Madrid

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16-10-2010 20:45 Roma - Genoa

Pulling Out Of The Mess

Roma's 1-0 win against Inter in Rome in late September came as a massive boost for the Lupi as it finally appeared that their season was back on track. A win against Cluj in the Champions League in their next match reinforced the positive beliefs but things turned ugly when they went down 2-0 to Napoli in Naples just before the international break.

At the moment Claudio Ranieri's side are second from bottom in the league table with five points from six matches and are already eight points off the place. There have also been reported friction between Ranieri and club talisman Francesco Totti, although the latter has done his best to bury it into the sands.

Genoa will be a tough test for the Lupi and given that they are playing at home, they will have the extra pressure of pleasing the fans. Ranieri should know that his job is on the line and that he will have to repair the damage quickly.

Regaining Momentum

Like many of the contenders for a place in the top four in Serie A this season, Genoa too started the 2010-11 campaign on a disappointing note but the Grifone appear to have picked up momentum. Just before the international break they defeated Bari 2-1 at home, which also happened to be only their second victory of the season.

That win means that at the start of Week Seven in Serie A, Gian Piero Gasperini's side are 10th in the league standings with eight points from six matches, five points behind league leaders Lazio and just three behind fourth-placed Milan.

Genoa's away form in Serie A, though, is modest as of the three games they have played on their travels, they have won just one, collecting just a point from the other two.



TEAM NEWS

Roma

Julio Sergio and Adriano are out with injuries. Ranieri is likely to field a 4-3-1-2 system that will see Totti and Borriello in attack with Perrotta just behind them in the ‘hole’. Vucinic looks set to start on the bench.

Genoa

Jankovic and Veloso are out injured and Moretti is suspended. A 3-4-3 formation looks the likely system that will be deployed with Luca Toni once again the main striker in attack.

Prediction

Genoa will make it tough for Roma, who are still suffering from lack of confidence. A narrow win for the hosts is on the cards but don’t get surprised if the Grifone eke out a draw.

Roma 2-1 Genoa

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16-10-2010 20:00 Barcelona - Valencia

Vulnerable At Home?
Barcelona aren’t a side used to playing catch-up in recent seasons, yet with six matches of the Primera Division campaign passed the Camp Nou side lie fourth in the standings, having already slipped in home matches against Hercules and Mallorca. On Saturday evening, Pep Guardiola’s men face their sternest examination of the season to date when they have to meet Valencia.

Under the watchful gaze of the cules, la Blaugrana are aware that they cannot drop much further from the early season pace. Real Madrid already have a one point advantage over the champions, while los Che would go six points clear of Barca if they were to record a shock victory at Camp Nou.

“We cannot lose any more points at home, and we must defeat Valencia,” Adriano has rallied in the press this week, while Xavi has indicated that the squad still have faith in Guardiola’s ability to lift Barcelona into their now customary position at the summit of the league.

“I believe in Pep. He is a committed, meticulous, enthusiastic person,” the midfielder, who missed Spain’s most recent international matches due to injury, explained to UEFA.com. “Pep knows what he has to do, how the players feel and the pressure they are under. He is exactly the right man for the job.”

After the previous international break, Hercules took advantage of Barca seemingly contracting a dose of the ‘FIFA virus’ to pick up maximum points, and Guardiola has a mediocre record of getting the best from his players following international breaks, winning only three of ten fixtures coming back from such disruptions.

A difficult evening awaits on Saturday.

Acid Test

The sale of players such as David Villa, who of course moved to Barcelona, and David Silva in the summer was supposed to have sufficiently weakened Valencia to prevent them seriously challenging Spain’s elite this season, some pundits suggested. To the contrary, los Che have come into the season hungry to prove a point and have dropped only two marks through their opening six encounters.

A draw against Atletico Madrid has been their only blip to date, though Unai Emery’s unit haven’t necessarily faced any other of the league’s elite sides prior to Saturday’s trip to Barcelona. A host of light and middleweights have been dismissed, but tests such as the weekend’s will act as the real test for the Mestalla club, offensive midfielder Alejandro Dominguez has argued.

“This will be a match between two great teams, and one in which Valencia can check the level that we are at currently,” the Argentine told the media. “We hope to put on a good show. If we get the three points, many will believe that we can win the league.

“It will be very important that we be smart, but it would be nice to win at Barcelona. The game motivates me, and I think it does for my colleagues too.”

Victory on Saturday would certainly send out a clear message not just around Spain, but around Europe also. This has the potential to be a watershed match.

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona
David Villa is set to be given the green light to feature at the weekend after suffering from a knee problem against Scotland in midweek while playing for Spain. Xavi’s presence is not certain either, while Pedro is recovering from the hamstring tear he suffered against Mallorca.

Pep Guardiola was left with just seven first team players to train in the early stages of the week due to the international commitments of his squad. Of these players, Gabriel Milito has suffered from an adductor problem.

Valencia

Miguel has been ruled out due to a muscular problem, and winger Joaquin will also be sidelined. The Spaniard has an ankle sprain and will be absent for two weeks, ruling him out of the Champions League fixture away to Rangers in midweek. Mehmet Topal is also missing, though he is expected back imminently.

Marius Stankevicius missed training on Wednesday due to gastroenteritis but should be fit to take his spot in the side if required. 

Prediction

Barcelona have not been especially good following international breaks, and against opponents as accomplished as Valencia that could be dangerous. Valencia, for all their wins early in the season, haven’t proven themselves against a really top side, and this is certainly a great chance to silence their critics. But there will be no complacency shown by the home team, allowing them to edge to three valuable points.

Barcelona 2-1 Valencia

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16-10-2010 18:30 Wolfsburg - Bayer Leverkusen

Bundesliga Big-Spenders Look For Another Home Victory

With the international break over, Steve McClaren's men will be hoping to resume the form that has seen the club take 10 points from their last four games. Last time out Die Woelfe picked up a 1-1 away draw to Monchengladbach, a result in which the club will be hoping was a minor glitch in what now looks like being a potentially successful campaign.

This all of course coming after the saxony club suffered three consecutive defeats at the beginning of the season. The three straight victories that followed against Hannover, Hamburg and Freiburg looked like providing the springboard for the team to catapult themselves up the league table. Victory over Die Fohlen would have taken the club into a Europa League league place but their performance was poor.

"I’m a bit disappointed by the performance of the team today. We made a lot of individual mistakes and lost the ball far too easily. All of that made life difficult for us and strengthened Gladbach again. We missed a chance here today," coach Steve McClaren told the club's official website after the game.

However Wolfsburg have reason to be optimistic for their tie with Leverkusen. The home side have taken victories from their last two games at the Volkswagen Arena and minus Diego Benaglio and Arne Friedrich have a fully-fit roster to choose from which cannot be said about their opposition.

Not to say that Die Woelfe will be underestimating Leverkusen who sit two points clear of the 2008/09 Bundesliga champions.

"You’ve only got to look at the table to see just how important this game is. We are in direct competition with Bayer Leverkusen," left-back Marcel Shaefer told the club's website as the team looked for that extra motivation to claim all three points on Saturday. 

"Aside from that, we have a home game and home games must be won."

Leverkusen Aim To Shore Up Leaky Defence

Despite enduring what seems like a never-ending injury list this season, Leverkusen have made a bright start sitting in fourth position, only a point away from one of the much coveted Champions League places. Die Werkself have only one defeat to their name as Jupp Heynckes continues to make the side a difficult one to beat.

The club can also take further confidence into this weekend's game against Wolfsburg knowing they did the double over Die Woelfe last season, including a dramatic victory away at the Volkswagen Arena. To add to this Wolfsburg only have one victory over Bayer in the team's last six meetings.

Historically, ties between the two sides tend to provide plenty of entertainment, something that the Leverkusen coach knows all about.

"Games between Wolfsburg and Bayer are always interesting affairs, very exciting and of very high quality," Heynckes told the official Bundesliga website earlier this week. Despite the team's recent excellent record against Wolfsburg, the legendary former striker is wary of where the opposition's strength lies.

"VfL have a very good attack. Diego, Edin Dzeko and Grafite are three absolutely fantastic players," Heynckes added.

Worryingly for the away side, their defensive record has been fairly poor this season. The 12 goals conceded by Die Werkself makes them the weakest defensive unit in the top half of the Bundesliga.

What is for sure is that both sides will try and play free-flowing attacking football. The match has all the earmarks of a potential goal-feast, especially when you take into consideration that in 26 previous meetings, these two sides have never seen out a goalless draw. To add to this the tie has seen an average of 3.06 goals per game making it one of the highest scoring fixtures of the Bundeliga calendar. Nil nil anyone?

TEAM NEWS

Wolfsburg
The home side only have one fresh injury worry with 'keeper Diego Benaglio missing out with a groin injury. The Swiss shot-stopper had to be substituted in the 1-1 draw against Monchengladbach a fortnight ago and will be replaced by fellow coutryman Marwin Hitz. Die Woelfe welcome back former captain Josue into the starting line-up with Makoto Hasebe being the most liekly player to make way. The game comes too soon for international defender Arne Friedrich who has returned to light training after a back injury.

Probable Starting XI: Hitz - Pekarik, Barzagli, Kjaer, Schaefer - Josue, Riether, Kahlenberg, Diego - Grafite, Dzeko

Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen are expected to name the same line-up that drew 2-2 with Werder Bremen two weeks ago. The only fresh injury concern for Heynckes being super-sub Eren Derdiyok who was pushing for a place in the starting 11. However the Swiss striker has been ruled out after coming down with a bout of flu. Die Werkself are still without several key players including Renato Augusto (knee), Gonzalo Castro (hamstring), Michael Ballack (shin) and Stefan Kiessling (ankle).

Probable Starting XI: Adler - Schwaab, Friedrich, Hyypia, Kadlec - Sam, Vidal, Reinartz, Balitsch, Barnetta - Helmes

Prediction

Wolfsburg versus Bayer Leverkusen always promises to be one of the games of the season and this should be no different. With both sides looking at Europe this season the stakes are high. However with Grafite in the form he currently is in and with Diego starting to find his feet at Wolfsburg a home win looks on the cards.

VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 Leverkusen

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16-10-2010 18:00 Atletico Madrid - Getafe

Rediscover Their Momentum

After a bullish start to the season, Atletico Madrid’s strong form had started to abate by the international break, and coach Quique Sanchez Flores will be eager for his troops to rediscover their strength for a derby encounter against Getafe.

Los Colchoneros have only one win in their last six matches in all competitions, and even that came by virtue of a slender victory over a Real Zaragoza side struggling for form in the early weeks of the season. Aris started the rot in the Europa League, and though Atleti picked up a creditable draw in Valencia, they finished up before the brief recess with a heavy 3-1 loss against Sevilla.

“We are conceding very few goals, and we have the basis to achieve great things,” Mario Suarez mused before this encounter, wary of los Azulones’ dangerous nature. “We know that Getafe are a tough team and like to play good football. At this point we thought we would have a couple more points, but the team is good and we must continue with this attitude, starting against Getafe on Saturday.”

The gauntlet has been thrown down by the midfielder: anything short of three points will be a disappointment for los Rojiblancos, who don’t go into their hectic autumn calendar with anything like the momentum they started the season with.

Finding Their Stride

Beside Atletico Madrid in the Primera Division standings are near neighbours Getafe. With three wins and one draw from their opening six matches, Michel’s side have slowly started to display the kind of form that lifted them into European contention last season, despite struggling in the early weeks of the campaign.

Successive victories over Racing Santander and Hercules have propelled the capital club into the top half of the table after a difficult start to the season saw them earn only four points from four games. Fears arose that their coach may be enduring a dose of ‘second season syndrome’, but the signs are that he and his side are quickly overcoming it.

The victory over los Herculanos a fortnight ago was particularly strong, leading striker Miku to tell Goal.com exclusively that he felt it was a “complete performance” that had led to Geta cruising. It was the Venezuelan who rounded the match off with eight minutes remaining, putting the cherry on the cake after Daniel Pareja and Manu del Moral had done the previous work.

Los Azulones have had it fairly easy in the opening weeks of the season, and with Barcelona, Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla to come before the beginning of December, the hard work is just beginning.

TEAM NEWS

Atletico Madrid

Sergio Aguero remains absents for los Colchoneros, leading the Madrid club to rue their decision to rush the Argentine striker back for their recent clash against Barcelona.

Alvaro Dominguez is still three weeks away from fitness, but there is some good news as Diego Godin has started training normally following his strained knee.

Getafe

There’s largely been positive news for el Geta on the training ground this week. Rafa and Miguel Torres returned to training on Wednesday, following Javier Casquero, Jaime Gavilan and Javier Arizmendi, who joined up with the squad again on Tuesday.

Ibrahim Kas continues to build his fitness after suffering an injury in pre-season. Miguel Torres is expected to be absent until April due to his Achilles tendon woes.

Prediction

Getafe are beasts that should never lightly be dismissed, and though they certainly have a shot at shocking their more illustrious hosts, they will likely go down with a fight. Atleti have more quality in the final third of the field, and with the home defence reinforced there are now fewer holes to punch in it. Revenge for the two defeats inflicted upon them by los Azulones last term would be sweet.

Atletico Madrid 3-1 Getafe

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