03-01-2011 22:00 Getafe - Real

Success Story

Last year closed in the Primera Division on a weekend in which Barcelona was the focus as Barca met Espanyol. The fresh year begins with the capital, Madrid, claiming the spotlight, with upstarts Getafe hosting Real Madrid on Monday night.

Los Azulones have been one of Spanish football’s success stories over recent years, rising from a relatively modest status to become one of the elite teams in the country, working successfully on the basis of nurturing talented youths before selling them on for big money. Pedro Leon, now warming the bench with los Blancos, is a perfect example of how the south Madrid side get their success.

Yet a relatively steady flow of players out of the exit door doesn’t seem to impede el Geta from enjoying significant success. Michel’s men were expected to find the going tough this season, but they’ve impressive shrugged off the loss of several key men in the summer to climb to seventh, a mere two points off Champions League qualification.

A strong run of form just before the Christmas break largely explains their strong league position. Elimination from the Europa League has been forgotten thanks to an impressive winning streak of four matches, with Sevilla, Mallorca and Villarreal three of the scalps taken. The pause in the season may just have come at the wrong time for Michel and his side, who will go into Monday’s game effectively looking to start anew.

Still Coming Together

Still on the coattails of Barcelona, Real Madrid continue to strive to become Spanish football’s ultimate force. Embarrassed by their great rivals at Camp Nou earlier this season, los Blancos have barely missed a beat thereafter, relentlessly winning fixtures through until the winter break.

Jose Mourinho has installed a tremendous mentality in his side. Though they’ve often struggled to find their top gear, Madrid have always found a way to win, and this was never better emphasised than in their final Liga game of 2010, when they were reduced to 10 men and were being battered yet somehow found a way to beat Sevilla 1-0.

Moves at the Bernabeu over the course of the next month are unlikely to drastically reshape the squad that Mourinho had in place. Talk of Kaka leaving has escalated in recent days, while the Portuguese has admitted himself that he would like at least one more centre forward to provide Karim Benzema and the injured Gonzalo Higuain with competition.

The coach is still begging for time before a true judgement is put forward about his first Blanco vintage. “Real Madrid do not only have a different coach and staff; they have half a team which was signed at the beginning of the season – there are five new players in the starting XI,” he told Portuguese daily Record.

With Barcelona so dominant in recent years, there is little patience in Madrid, though progress is certainly being made. If los Merengues want to dominate Spain, they first have to dominate their city, and that means overcoming Getafe.

TEAM NEWS

Getafe

Borja Fernandez has been training normally with the squad and will be able to feature if desired. Adrian Colunga and Pedro Mosquero could be missing, but Derek Boateng is expected to overcome an issue to feature. Ivan Marcano and Victor Sanchez are banned.

Real Madrid

Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe are both suspended, so Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol are likely to play. Kaka could return from injury, but los Blancos are without Fernando Gago, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Canales and Jerzy Dudek.

Prediction

Derby matches should never be considered certainties, and this encounter is no different. El Geta finished 2010 on a high and competed strongly with Barcelona for periods when the Blaugrana visited the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, though Real Madrid should be too strong for them.

Getafe 1-3 Real Madrid

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03-01-2011 20:00 Zaragoza - Real Sociedad

Pitiful Home Form

With the halfway stage of the campaign approaching, Zaragoza cannot be happy with their standing at the foot of the Primera Division table. Sixteen matches have been played, but los Manos have only earned a solitary victory, leaving them a worrying three points adrift of safety ahead of a home fixture against Real Sociedad.

There are no statistics that come as comfort to the home side, who have a woeful record at la Romareda this season. Only five points have been picked up at home, which is a league-low tally along with Almeria, and the Aragon outfit have conceded exactly twice as many goals as they’ve scored, which is never a recipe for success.

Javier Aguirre was appointed to the hot-seat after the dismissal of Jose Aurelio Gay in the middle of November, but the Mexican has been unable to turn things around swiftly. In five Primera Division matches under the charge of their new coach, Zaragoza have yet to pick up a victory, though three of these games – all away from home – ended in draws.

Home form tends to be the bedrock of success for teams who successfully avoid relegation, and either Zaragoza will have to buck this trend or they will have to significantly improve their play at La Romareda if they are to give a body-swerve to the drop come May.

So Far, So Good

Real Sociedad are certainly a side who have shown what good can be done if a series of home victories are strung together. Only a few short weeks ago they were flirting with European football, but after a lull in their play they now lie towards the heart of the Primera Division standings, an encouraging nine points clear of the drop zone.

La Real have lost four of their last six top flight games, going down heavily against Barcelona a couple of weeks before Christmas and then slumping to a 2-1 reverse against Valencia in their final match before the break.

Head coach Martin Lasarte has wasted no time further strengthening his side for the second half of the campaign. Former Rosenborg defender Vadim Demidov has been snapped up on a free transfer from the Norwegian club and is expected to ultimately slot into the centre of Txuri-urdin’s rearguard.

Avoiding relegation was initially the target of Real Sociedad this season, but the Basque club will be having thoughts of greater success after a very positive start. Nevertheless, a draw on Monday wouldn’t be considered a disastrous result for a team keen to establish themselves as a top flight force once again.

TEAM NEWS

Zaragoza

Ikechukwu Uche and defender Victor Laguardia are the only two injury concerns. Matteo Contini is the only other issue; the Italian has had a cold.

Javier Aguirre has had his team training behind closed doors this week.


Real Sociedad

Vadim Demidov is not certain to debut in this match, while Diego Ifran has overcome a knee problem and could feature. Diego Rivas is banned.

Prediction

Zaragoza have to start putting together a run of results soon, and coach Javier Aguirre will certainly target this encounter a one his side need to win. Real Sociedad haven’t been impressive on the road, so three points to the hosts is by no means unthinkable.

Zaragoza 1-0 Real Sociedad

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03-01-2011 20:00 Villarreal - Almeria

Ambitious

A storming start to the campaign has seen Villarreal emerge as Spain’s undoubted third force behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. Nevertheless, Juan Carlos Garrido’s men lie 10 and eight points respectively behind the two super powers. If catching up the top two is impossible, maintaining third spot and claiming the automatic Champions League berth that comes with it, is certainly a realistic goal.

Almeria are the next side that stand between the Yellow Submarine and the bronze medal position. Playing at El Madrigal has rarely been a problem for the east coast outfit, who have failed to win only two matches at the venue under Garrido, who took charge in the spring. The teams to frustrate Villarreal on their home surface have been Valencia and Barcelona, two teams to have progressed to the knockout stage of the Champions League.

“We must be very ambitious to maintain this level and fight for a title. We have grown stronger from last season, and the situation is even more positive now,” the coach explained to the media earlier this week. “The truth is that things are going very well, we have made a very good start and we are well positioned. Added to this is the fact that we are playing well, which makes us very happy.”

Villarreal are very much as side on the up after last season’s mediocre performance, though there is a danger that the one week lay-off might have disrupted their momentum. If the Yellow Submarine can perform to the standard they showed in the latter part of 2010, Monday’s match shouldn’t provide any worries.

Goals Galore

Almeria could not come into 2011 any closer to the Primera Division relegation zone. The Andalucian side are locked with Malaga on only 13 points from 16 games, above their regional neighbours only because of a superior goal difference.

Unsurprisingly, this poor start to the campaign as already accounted for coach Juan Manuel Lillo, whose last match in charge of his side was an 8-0 home humbling at the hands of Barcelona. Jose Luis Oltra, who suffered relegation from the top flight at the helm of Tenerife last season, has since taken charge.

Oltra has enjoyed limited success in charge of the Andalucian side to date. He has taken charge of four Primera Division matches, beating Sevilla impressively 3-1 away from home but failing to claim three points in any of his other encounters in the dugout. Almeria did, however, finish 2010 on a positive note, defeating Mallorca 4-3 in an exciting Copa del Rey encounter a matter of days before Christmas.

Like Oltra’s Tenerife outfit from last term, there is no lack of entertainment watching the Estadio del Mediterraneo side. Goals are flying in at both ends of the field. Prior to the new coach’s arrival, Almeria had scored two goals or more only twice in 12 league encounters, they’ve since achieved this feat in each of their last two matches.

Goals are no use without the results to accompany them, and it would be a huge achievement if Almeria were to take anything from the weekend’s match in Villarreal.

TEAM NEWS

Villarreal

Villarreal have suffered a couple of crucial blows over the Christmas break. Marcos Senna will miss much of January due to injury, while Nilmar is scheduled to be absent for a similar period.

Almeria

The Andalucians haven't registered any fresh problems over the festive period. Michel, Miguel Angel Nieto and Hernan Pellerano are still worries.

Prediction

Villarreal are a winning machine at home and will certainly not expect to come undone against a moderate Almeria side. If the Yellow Submarine are to maintain their strong position in La Primera, this is exactly the kind of game they simply have to win, and they have shown in the past they are more than capable of doing so.

Villarreal 3-0 Almeria

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03-01-2011 20:00 Mallorca - Hercules

December Woes

The best of Mallorca’s early-season form is now a distant memory, with Michael Laudrup’s side having taken a station towards the centre of the Primera Division table. Three weeks leading up to Christmas were particularly difficult for the Balearic Islanders, who lost three successive Primera Division matches for the first time this season, and also suffered defeat against Almeria in the Copa del Rey.

With a rot seemingly setting into els Barralets, Laudrup will attempt to remedy the problems ahead of Monday’s clash against Hercules. Having enjoyed a week off to gain some well earned rest and relaxation, the Islanders should return with a spring in their step, particularly as they are playing at home, where they have won two-thirds of their 21 points this season.

Last time out at the Iberostar Estadio, Mallorca were the shock recipients of a 1-0 defeat against struggling Racing Santander. It was a match that the home side dominated, enjoying nearly 60 per cent of possession and striking at goal 13 times without success, statistics that hint they deserved a better outcome.

Home encounters against los Herculanos and Almeria certainly provide a potentially excellent springboard into 2011 for a team whose participation in Europe this term was thwarted only by financial difficulties. Laudrup will be looking to benefit greatly from this, doubtless eyeing up three potential points on Monday.

Worrying Week

It may be the season of goodwill, but its being spread rather thin around Alicante at present. The revelations that Royston Drenthe, one of Hercules’ top players, has not been receiving remuneration for his efforts has come as something of a surprise, and throws into doubt not only the morale of the current squad, but also the team’s ability to strengthen to push away from the drop zone.

Hercules are presently stationed rather comfortably about the bottom three, boasting 19 points, but their six point cushion could be quickly whittled away if a sustained run of poor form is endured.

Esteban Vigo’s side may have won in Barcelona earlier this season, but they have never matched the heights of that game back in the late days of summer. Indeed, los Herculanos’ season has been riddled with inconsistency, failing to produce their best football against teams they would be expected to overcome.

These issues were dealt with to a certain degree immediately before the winter break. Crucial home wins were recorded against Levante and Malaga, while a scoreless draw against Racing Santander has temporarily fended off the challenge coming from the slightly poorer placed Montaneses.

With a calibre of player that few other teams in the relegation scrap can command, Hercules should be looking to push clear of the bottom spots, but the last week raises questions of their sustainability in the top flight. Much will be told about their character on Monday.

TEAM NEWS

Mallorca

Akihiro Ienaga has been signed by the island club, though having been added to the squad so recently it is unlikely he will start. No fresh issues have been reported by Michael Laudrup.

Hercules

Royston Drenthe hasn't been training due to the pay dispute at the club. Tote, Tiago Gomes and Olivier Thomert are all injured. Javier Farina continues to battle a thigh complaint.

Prediction

Mallorca are a team who were tremendous at home last season but who have faded somewhat this. Nevertheless, morale cannot be especially good in Hercules’ camp at present, and though the Alicante side have won in Barcelona, that is their sole road victory to date. A home win is the logical outcome.

Mallorca 2-1 Hercules

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03-01-2011 20:00 Atletico Madrid - Racing Santander

Contenders

If Atletico Madrid’s season hasn’t hit the heights expected of it prior to the start of the campaign, los Colchoneros certainly don’t start 2011 with their objectives in tatters. The capital side have aspirations of Champions League football next season, and only two points behind fourth placed Valencia, there can be little doubt that the Rojiblancos are still in that mix.

For a period, Atleti’s season seemed to be becoming tattered. Defeats against Espanyol and Levante as winter closed in were quickly followed by a shock elimination from the Europa League, but Quique Sanchez Flores’ side bounced back well, winning crucial fixtures in the league, defeating Deportivo La Coruna and Malaga with some confidence to finish a memorable year on a high.

January is poised to be a busy month off the field for Atletico, who have already off-loaded Nacho Camacho and Sergio Asenjo to Malaga, but players are also bound to be brought into the side over the course of the next four weeks. Though they boast a relatively impressive defensive record, having lost only 19 goals this season, it is the back four that is the cause for the most major concern.

Having rattled three goals past los Boquerones in their concluding league fixture of 2010, there would appear to be little wrong with the offensive unit, though Tiago and Alvaro Dominguez did make for rather surprising scorers. Diego Forlan has not hit his best this season, and the Uruguayan’s form could be the difference between success and failure for los Colchoneros this term.

Tightening Up

Miguel Angel Portugal’s Racing Santander side were expected to be involved in the relegation scrap this season, but though they occupy a lower mid-table spot, los Verdiblancos are a side who have recently hinted at an ability to avoid the worst of the storm. Five points clear of the red zone, los Montaneses may not score many goals, but they’ve shown an ability to get results.

The fixture computer was particularly rough on the Cantabrian side in the early stages of the season, when they were pitted against many of Spain’s biggest names, but once into the meat of the campaign they’ve started to fare better. Against similarly sized clubs, Racing have earned some decent results of late, losing only one of their last four fixtures.

A scoreless draw against Hercules at home was a low-key manner with which to end 2010, and it was not an entirely pleasing spectacle for Portugal. “The best thing to do is wish everyone a happy holiday and leave it at that, as no one really liked what they saw,” he explained to the media. "We had every intention to fight for the three points, as we were playing at home, but it did not go well. There are matches when you do well and others when everything goes against you.”

If the offence isn’t clicking in a manner to satisfy Portugal, at least the defence is looking in a stronger state. Three clean sheets in their last four matches suggests good form, and if such resilience can be maintained over an extended period there will be no relegation threat to Racing.

TEAM NEWS

Atletico

Diego Forlan needs a late check on an ankle problem. Diego Costa is ready to start if the Uruguayan is not deemed fit. Jose Antonio Reyes won't feature.

Racing

Edu Bedia is expected to sign on Monday, but not in time to come into consideration for this fixture.

Tono and Gonzalo Colsa were both withdrawn early from training this week and aren't certain to play.

Prediction

Atletico Madrid’s form may be a little erratic, but at the Vicente Calderon they’ve generally been pretty steady this season, winning five of their eight fixtures. Though Racing won their last road game of 2010, they’ve been poor on their travels this season and cannot go into this game a fancied side.

Atletico Madrid 3-1 Racing

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