Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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21.09. (Wed) 20:45 Manchester City - Birmingham City

Chris Hughton, Newcastle United (Getty Images)

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY

Hart
Richards, K Toure, Lescott, Kolarov
Y Toure, Barry
Johnson, Tevez, Balotelli
BIRMINGHAM CITY

Myhill
Carr, Caldwell, Davies, Ridgewell
Beausejour, Gomis, Spector, Burke
King, Wood
Wednesday’s hosts have just the two players to worry about, with James Milner recovering from concussion and Nigel de Jong almost fit following his ankle problem. Both could feature in some capacity during the clash but are not likely to start the match. Roberto Mancini has confirmed that Owen Hargreaves will be given the chance to play as much as half of the game if he feels fit enough. Chris Hughton will have a handful of individuals that will need assessing before the game at the Etihad Stadium. Nikola Zigic has returned to full training and could make his first appearance in a Birmingham shirt this season. However, Keith Fahay will not be fit enough and is still a week or so away from being fit, while Jordon Mutch is a long-term injury problem.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • Manchester City became the second English team to pick up both a European and a domestic trophy in 1970 when they secured the League Cup, shortly after capturing the European Cup Winners’ Cup in Vienna.
  • Their most successful period in this competition came in the 1970s, where they were victorious twice ('70 and '76), as well as being runners up in the '74 final.
  • Birmingham City also have two League Cup triumphs, along with a single runners-up appearance. Their first win came in 1963 and of course their latest victory just back in February after overcoming Arsenal 2-1.
  • In Birmingham’s 1964 win, they conquered Manchester City 6-0 in the fifth round on the way to the two-legged final against local rivals Aston Villa.
  • Whereas winning players in other competitions receive a medal each, the individuals on the victorious side collect a special tankard for their efforts.
  • At the end of the tournament a panel select the best player of the final to receive the Alan Hardaker trophy, named after the former secretary of the Football League who devised the League Cup. The current holder of this is the loaned out Birmingham keeper Ben Foster (pictured above right).

Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Man City 2-1 Birmingham City
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21.09. (Wed) 20:45 Brighton & Hove A. - Liverpool

Steven Gerrard - Liverpool (Getty Images)

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BRIGHTON



AnkergrenCalderon, Greer, Dunk, Cook
LuaLua, Bridcutt, Navarro, Vicente
Mackail-Smith, Barnes
LIVERPOOL

Doni
Flannagan, Kelly, Coates, Robinson
Maxi, Spearing, Gerrard, Bellamy
Kuyt, Carroll
Brighton will be without Marcus Painter after he received a red card in the 1-0 defeat to Leicester City at the weekend, and it is likely another defender will be forced to play out of position to cover the problem.
Former Spain international winger Vicente Rodriguez could be in line for his debut following his free transfer from Valencia. The 30 year-old has been struggling for match fitness since his move from La Liga as he did not have much of a pre-season, however, he may be offered the chance to prove his fitness against the Premier League side.
Liverpool look set to make several changes from the weekend defeat to Tottenham with Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel both missing after picking up red cards at White Hart Lane whilst various key players are likely to be rested.
Martin Kelly could make his return from a hamstring injury picked up in August, and club captain Steven Gerrard may also be involved following his six-month lay-off, but Kenny Dalglish has not confirmed whether he will play from the start or not.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • These two clubs have not met in a competitive match since March 1983 when both were in the old Division One.
  • Brighton have only ever beaten Liverpool once, a 1-0 win at Anfield in 1982.
  • Matches between Brighton and Liverpool average just under four goals a game at 3.75.
  • Vicente has only managed more than 21 league games in a season once since 2003-04.
  • Liverpool have lost two of their last eight League Cup matches against lower league opposition.
  • Uruguay international Sebastian Coates (pictured right) could make his first start for his new club at the Falmer Stadium.
  • Brighton’s last victory over a Premier League side came in this competition, a penalties win over Manchester City in 2008 after drawing 2-2 after extra time.
  • Steven Gerrard’s last appearance for Liverpool was the 3-1 win over bitter rivals Manchester United back in March.
Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Brighton 0-2 Liverpool
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21.09. (Wed) 20:45 Milan - Udinese

Alexandre Pato - AC Milan (Getty Images)
Getty


 PROBABLE LINE-UPS
AC Milan (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Nocerino, van Bommel, Seedorf; Aquilani; Pato, Cassano


Coach Massimiliano Allegri continues to be faced with a mounting injury list, which sees the young tactician still without the services of Mathieu Flamini, Massimo Ambrosini, Gennaro Gattuso, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, Daniele Bonera is expected to be dropped in favour of Luca Antonini at left-back, despite Taye Taiwo being in contention once again. Filippo Inzaghi could also feature at some point during proceedings on Wednesday.
Udinese (3-5-1-1): Handanovic; Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi; Basta, Agyemang-Badu, Pinzi, Isla, Armero; Torje; Di Natale


The Zebrette are likely to be without Ghanaian midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah, who picked up a knock during their impressive 2-0 win over Fiorentina at the weekend, so Mauricio Isla will move to the middle, with Dusan Basta taking up the reins on the right-hand side of midfield. In addition to their injury woes, Damiano Ferronetti, Giovanni Pasquale and Antonio Floro Flores still have a further week until their respective comebacks.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Milan have won just one of their past five meetings with Udinese in Serie A.
  • The 3-1 loss to Napoli last week was only Milan's second during the calendar year in the league.
  • Only once in the past 13 seasons had the Diavolo previously failed to win any of their first two games.
  • However, Milan remain unbeaten at home in Serie A throughout 2011, winning seven times and drawing four.
  • Currently, Milan have the joint-worst defensive record in domestic matters, having conceded five.
  • This is in stark contrast to Udinese, who have kept clean sheets in their first two games.
  • The Zebrette are unbeaten in the last five league matches, including a 100 per cent record so far this season.
  • The last time Udinese won their first two games of the season was in 2005-06, with wins against Empoli and Roma.
  • Udinese have failed to win in their past four clashes against Milan in all competitions.
Prediction
Udinese won't have a better chance of beating the Serie A champions for the forseeable future, so what better time to do it than three games into the new season. Milan's lack of mobility and movement in the middle of the park could be heavily exposed by the tenacious Badu, Isla and Asamoah. Also, Torje and Di Natale are beginning to strike up a deadly partnership for the Zebrette, in stark contrast to Milan, who are suffering from a lack of first-choice attackers in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng, so it should make for a fascinating encounter, but in the favour of Francesco Guidolin's side.
Editor's Prediction
AC Milan 1-2 Udinese
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21.09. (Wed) 20:45 Chelsea - Fulham

Chelsea Training Session & Press Conference, Andre Villas-Boas
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA

Cech
Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole
Mikel, Romeu, Lampard
Malouda, Torres, Lukaku
FULHAM

Schwarzer
Baird, Kelly, Hangeland, JA Riise
Dempsey, Murphy, Sidwell, Duff
Zamora, Ruiz
It’s likely that Andres Villas-Boas will afford Fernando Torres the opportunity to start and get straight back on the goalscoring wagon after the Spaniard’s remarkable miss against Manchester United at the weekend. Elsewhere, Oriel Romeu and Romelu Lukaku could be given starts, with Jon Obi Mikel and David Luiz also in line to figure. Martin Jol may give new signing Bryan Ruiz another chance to prove himself after a lacklustre start to life in west London. Otherwise, it seems likely that the visitors will stay as faithful as possible to the team that drew at the weekend with Manchester City in the hope of giving as good a showing as possible of themselves in the League Cup derby fixture.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • No Chelsea player other than Juan Mata has scored more than one goal this season.
  • The last time Chelsea lost to Manchester United, they went on a four-match winless streak.
  • Frank Lampard (right) has created more goalscoring chances than anybody else in the Premier League this season, with 14.
  • Fulham have not recorded a win in six outings, drawing their last three.
  • The last time the two met, in the Premier League back in February, the game finished a 0-0 stalemate as Clint Dempsey missed a penalty.
  • Fulham have been particularly vulnerable in the 10 minutes leading up to half-time, with over half of their goals conceded this term being during that window.
Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Chelsea 3-1 Fulham
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21.09. (Wed) 20:00 Racing Santander - Real

Spanish Supercup: Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Mesut Özil, Angel Di Maria
Getty


 PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Racing (4-4-1-1): Tono; Francis, Gonzalez, Torrejon, Cisma; Kennedy, Diop, Adrian, Munitis; Acosta; Stuani

Racing


Hector Cuper welcomes back Pape Diop to his first-team after the Senegalese midfielder served a one-match suspension during the 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid over the weekend.
Marc Torrejon is also likely to return to the centre of defence after injury, with Osmar Barba expected to make way for the former Espanyol man.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Ramos, Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Coentrao; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema


Sami Khedira will miss the encounter against Racing after his red card during the shock 1-0 defeat to Levante on Sunday. The versatile Fabio Coentrao is expected to drop back into the centre of midfield, with Cristiano Ronaldo returning in attack after his ankle injury. 

Jose Mourinho is also expected to recall Mesut Ozil to his starting line-up, with Kaka likely to drop the the bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Racing are currently 18th in La Liga and have not won a game so far this term.
  • The club finished 12th last campaign, three points above the relegation zone.
  • The side from Cantabria are currently coached by Hector Cuper, who previously saw his Valencia team lose the 2000 Champions League final 3-0 to Madrid.
  • Racing's Pedro Munitis and Adrian Gonzalez both previously had spells at the capital club.
  • Real Madrid have won their last 62 league games in which they took the lead. 
  • The 1-0 defeat against Levante was the club's first loss in La Liga in seven games, the last being their 3-2 home reverese to Zaragoza in April of the 2010-11 campaign.
  • Sunday's defeat was also the first game in seven La Liga fixtures in which Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score.
  • When these two sides met at El Sardinero last season, Madrid won 3-1. In the reverse clash at the Bernaneu, Mourinho's men ran out 6-1 winners, with Ronaldo grabbing four goals.
Prediction
After Madrid's disappointing loss to Levante at the weekend, expect Jose Mourinho's men to bounce back against Racing, who are yet to win a game this season. Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to return to the starting line-up after his ankle injury and is sure to be a constant menace for the home side's leaky back-line.
Editor's Prediction
Racing 0 -3 Real Madrid
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Serie A Round 4 - Preview


Tuesday SEPTEMBER 20KOWednesday SEPTEMBER 21KO
Novara - Inter2045Palermo - Cagliari2045


AC Milan - Udinese2045


Lecce - Atalanta2045

 Juventus - Bologna2045


Genoa - Catania2045


Fiorentina - Parma2045


Chievo - Napoli2045


Cesena - Lazio2045


Thursday SEPTEMBER 22KO
all times in CET
Roma - Siena2045


NovaravsInter

                                                                       
Tuesday's encounter in Piedmont sees both sides still on the lookout for their first victories of the new campaign. The pressure remains firmly with the visitors' coach Gian Piero Gasperini, whose tactical uncertainty has affected Inter's start to the new season. However, opposing tactician Atilio Tesser will also be scrutinised, as he seeks an elusive Serie A win at the 14th attempt.

A full preview of this fixture can be found here.
 

PalermovsCagliari

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
  
Tzorvas,
Pisano, Silvestre, Migliaccio, Balzaretti
Ilicic, Barreto, Della Rocca, Zahavi
Hernandez, Miccoli

Agazzi 
Pisano, Canini, Astori, Agostini 
Biondini, Conti, Nainggolan
Cossu
 Nene, Thiago Ribeiro

TEAM NEWS
  • Edgar Alvarez is ruled out, but Mauro Cetto and Luca Di Matteo could feature.
  • Palermo are unbeaten against Cagliari in four matches
  • The Sicilians have not shared the spoils in their last eight Serie A games
 
  • Sebastian Eriksson will remain out until February/March, whilst Mostafa El Kabir is doubtful.
  • Cagliari have won their first two games for the first time since the 1970-71 campaign.
  • The Sardinians have failed to score in only one of their past seven away matches in Serie A.

AC MilanvsUdinese

                                                                          
The Serie A champions are yet to taste victory this season in the league and will want to bag the three points on Wednesday night in order to prevent themselves from falling further behind so early in the campaign. However, their predicament is in stark contrast to Udinese, who will be fired up from the offset with a 100 per cent record to maintain.

A full preview of this fixture can be found here.

LeccevsAtalanta

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


Julio Sergio
Cuadrado, Tomovic, Esposito, Mesbah
Piatti, Obodo
Giacomazzi, Grossmuller, Di Michele
Pasquato
 
  
Consigli
Masiello, Capelli, Manfredini, Peluso
Schelotto, Cigarini, Padoin, Bonaventura
Moralez
Denis
TEAM NEWS
  • Moris Carrozzieri and Ruben Oliveira are injured and cannot take part.
  • They have recorded three draws in four of the most recent meetings with Atalanta
  • Atalanta are one of only two teams Lecce have netted five goals against in Serie A, along with Lazio.
 
  • Stefano Lucchini and Leonardo Pettinari are both doubts, and Ferreira Pinto and Nadir Minotti are both out.
  • Atalanta have already collected eight yellow cards after just two games, more than any other Serie A side.
  • Atalanta have scored twice in five of their last seven Serie A clashes with Lecce.
 
JuventusvsBologna

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


Buffon
L'steiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie
Krasic, Vidal, Pirlo, Pepe
Vucinic, Matri

 
  

Gillet
Pulzetti, Portanova, Antonsson, Morleo
Perez, Mudingayi, Kone
Diamanti, Ramirez
Di Vaio

TEAM NEWS
  • Vincenzo Iaquinta remains the only main injury doubt for the Old Lady.
  • Prior to their 2-0 loss in February, Juventus were unbeaten against Bologna in 18 Serie A matches.
  • Juventus will be looking to maintain a 100 per cent start, which includes wins over Parma and Siena.
 
  • Henry Gimenez, Andrea Raggi, Simone Loria, Gianluca Cherubin and Saphir Taider all continue to nurse injuries.
  • Bologna have not won a league game in 11 attempts, while scoring just once in nine.
  • Marco Di Vaio has not scored a goal in his last nine Serie A matches; his last coming in April against Brescia.
 
GenoavsCatania

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


Frey
Mesto, Dainelli, Kaladze, Antonelli
Seymour, Kucka, Veloso,
Jorquera
Palacio, Pratto
 
  

Andujar
Potenza, Bellusci, Spolli, Alvarez
Delvecchio, Biagianti, Ricchiuti
Gomez, Maxi Lopez, Catellani
TEAM NEWS
  • Giandomenico Mesto, Alexander Merkel and Ze Eduardo are still a week away from returning to the fold, and Cesare Bovo is doubtful.
  • In the last four Serie A meetings between these two sides, Genoa have always won.
  • The Grifoni are unbeaten in five home league matches.
 
  • Nicola Legrottaglie, Cristian Llama, Mariano Izco and Sergio Almiron are all out of contention with injury.
  • Catania have lost just one of their last seven Serie A games.
  • Away from home, the Sicilians won just once last season: a 2-1 victory over Brescia in May.
FiorentinavsParma

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


Boruc
Cassani, Gamberini, Natali, Pasqual
Behrami, Kharja, Vargas
Cerci, Santiago Silva, Jovetic



Mirante
Zaccardo, Paletta, Lucarelli, Rubin
Valiani, Morrone, Galloppa, Modesto
Floccari, Pelle
TEAM NEWS
  • Striker Alberto Gilardino faces up to six weeks out with a knee injury, whilst Per Kroldrup still has a further month before his comeback. Andrea Lazzari is also a doubt.
  • Fiorentina have lost just one of their past six league meetings with Parma
  • However, they have won only once in eight games without Alberto Gilardino in attack, since his arrival in 2008.
 
  • Goncalo Brandao is out of contention, while Sebastian Giovinco is suspended after picking up a red card last week.
  • Parma have lost only once in their last eight Serie A fixtures.
  • Hernan Crespo has scored eight goals against Fiorentina; his fourth highest tally in Italy.
 
ChievovsNapoli

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Sorrentino
Sardo, Andreolli, Cesar, Jokic
Bradley, L.Rigoni, Hetemaj
Cruzado
Paloschi, Moscardelli
 
  

De Sanctis
Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica
Zuniga, Inler, Gargano, Dossena
Hamsik, Pandev
Cavani
TEAM NEWS
  • Sergio Pellissier and Luciano are both confirmed absentees, as Francesco Acerbi is a doubt.
  • Chievo have won only one of their past five league games
  • They have also won two of their past three meetings at the Bentegodi.
 
  • Miguel Britos remains sidelined for five more months, while Marco Donadel is ruled out for the encounter.
  • The last time Napoli won their two opening games of a Serie A campaign they won the Scudetto in 1990.
  • Walter Mazzarri is unbeaten in seven matches againbst Domenico Di Carlo, with six wins.
 
CesenavsLazio

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


Ravaglia
Ceccarelli, Von Bergen, Rossi, Lauro
Parolo, Colucci, Candreva
Eder, Mutu, Martinez
 
 

Marchetti
Konko, Diakite, Dias, Lulic
Matuzalem, Brocchi
Sculli, Hernanes, Cisse
Klose

TEAM NEWS
  • Vincenzo Rennella and Francesco Antonioli are long-term absentees with injury.
  • Cesena are on a run of three consecutive defeats in Serie A
  • Marco Giampaolo has won just one of his seven meetings with Lazio.
 
  • Stefano Mauri and Giuseppe Biava are ruled out of contention, while Stefan Radu faces a longer stay on the sidelines.
  • Lazio have conceded two goals in each of their last five Serie A fixtures (two wins, two defeats and a draw).
  • Edy Reja's side were unbeaten in 16 meetings with Cesena before last season.

     
    RomavsSiena

    PROBABLE LINE-UPS

    Lobont
    Rosi, Kjaer, Burdisso, Jose Angel
    Gago, De Rossi, Pjanic
    Borriello, Totti, Bojan

    		 
      

    Brkic
    Vitiello, Rossettini, Terzi, Del Grosso
    Mannini, Bolzoni, D'Agostino, Brienza
    Calaio, Larrondo
    TEAM NEWS
    • Cicinho and Juan both remain injured for the forseeable future, but the length of Maarten Stekelenburg's lay-off is still uncertain, but Jose Angel returns from suspension.
    • Roma have won their last four home meetings with Siena in Serie A, conceding just a solitary goal.
    • However, they have experienced victory just once in their last five league matches.
    		 
    • Reginaldo is still a week away from making a comeback, while Gabrielle Angella has another two months on the sidelines.
    • Siena, along with Bologna, are the only sides yet to score in Serie A this season, but have conceded just once so far, against Juventus last weekend.
    • The Tuscans have won just four of their past 14 meetings in Serie A.
     
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    La Liga Round 4 - Preview


    Tuesday SEPTEMBER 20KOWednesday SEPTEMBER 21KO
     Osasuna - Sevilla2000 Atletico Madrid - Sporting Gijon2000
     Real Sociedad - Granada2000 Malaga - Athletic Bilbao2000
     Villarreal - Mallorca2200Racing Santander - Real Madrid2000
     Rayo Vallecano - Levante2000
    Valencia - Barcelona2200

    		Thursday SEPTEMBER 22 KO

    		Espanyol - Getafe2000
     all kick-offs in CETBetis - Zaragoza2200

    OsasunavsSevilla

    PROBABLE LINE-UPS

      
    FernandezRaitala, Roversio, Flano, Bertran
    Lama, Punal, Raul Garcia
    Cejudo, Sola, Nino


      
    Varas
    Caceres, Escude, Alexis, Navarro
    Trochowski, Medel
    Navas, Rakitic, Perotti
    Negredo

    KEY FACTS
    • Osasuna's 8-0 defeat to Barcelona on Saturday was their worst ever result against the Catalan club
    • Coach Jose Luis Mendilibar claimed after the game that his side were already looking ahead to this match by half-time, when they were 5-0 down at Camp Nou
    • Iranian midfielder Javad Nekounam could return from injury
    • Sevilla are currently fourth in the table, having picked up two wins and a draw in their first three games
    • Frederic Kanoute, who scored the winner against Real Sociedad at the weekend, also celebrated his 100th Primera Division win
    • Sevilla failed to land Giovani dos Santos in the summer, but could return for the Mexican in January

    Real SociedadvsGranada

    DID YOU KNOW?
     
    Bravo
    C. Martinez, I. Martinez, Demidov, Bella
    Illarramendi, Mariga
    Prieto, Zurutuza, Vela
    Agirretxe

       
    Roberto
    Nyom, Diakhate, Mainz, Siqueira
    Abel, Yebda
    Jara, Carlos Martins, Dani Benitez
    Uche

    KEY FACTS
    • Strikers Joseba Llorente and Carlos Vela return for Real Sociedad, but Xabi Prieto and David Zurutuza miss out through injury
    • This is Real Sociedad's second season back in the top flight
    • Young striker Imanol Agirretxe, who barely featured last term, has scored three of his side's four goals this season
    • Founded in 1931, Granada had spent 16 seasons in Spain's top flight prior to this one, including an eight-year stay between 1968 and 1976
    • Granada were promoted via the new play-off system last season, having finished in fifth place
    • Granada beat Villarreal at the weekend with a goal from Uche, who is on loan from the Yellow Submarine

    VillarrealvsMallorca

    PROBABLE LINE-UPS
      
    Cesar
    Zapata, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Joan Oriol
    Marchena, Bruno
    Camunas, Borja Valero, Cani
    Rossi

      
    Aouate
    Zuiverloon, Chico, Ramis Caceres
    Victor, Pina
    Alfaro, Tejera, Nsue
    Tomer Hemed
    KEY FACTS
    • Villarreal have finished in the top seven in each of the last seven seasons
    • The Yellow Submarine have just one point from three games so far this term, however.
    • Goalkeeper Diego Lopez said: "We have the ability to turn things around in the the next few games."
    • Mallorca began the season by beating Espanyol, but have since lost to Betis and Malaga
    • All of those three league games have been decided by a single goal, with Mallorca scoring only once this term
    • Coach Michael Laudrup is reported to be under threat, particularly if his side lose this match

    Atletico MadridvsSporting Gijon

    KEY FACTS

      
    Courtois
    Silvio, Miranda, Dominguez, Luis
    Gabi, Tiago
    Reyes, Diego, Turan
    Falcao

      
    Fernandez
    Lora, Botis, Soto, Canella
    Eguren, Alvarez
    Trojo, Castro, De Las Cuevas
    Barral
    TEAM NEWS
    • Colombian striker Radamel Falcao was the league's most expensive summer signing, arriving from Porto at a cost of €40 million
    • Falcao opened his Atletico account with a goal in the Europa League against Celtic and added a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Racing Santander
    • In total, the club brought in 10 new players over the summer
    • Sporting are the only team in La Liga not to have picked up a single point so far this season
    • Forward Nacho Novo picked up a knock in the weekend defeat at home to Valencia and is doubtful
    • Sporting are in their fourth season back in the top flight in Spain, having spent the previous 10 campaigns in the Segunda Division

    MalagavsAthletic Bilbao

    PROBABLE LINE-UPS

      
    Willy
    Gamez, Demichelis, Mathijsen, Eliseu
    Toulalan, Duda
    Cazorla, Joaquin
    Van Nistelrooy, Baptista


      
    Iraizoz
    Iraola, Amorebieta, Ekiza, Marcos
    Gurpegi, Iturraspe
    Muniain, Martinez, Susaeta
    Llorente
    KEY FACTS
    • Malaga have won two out of three of their opening games and move into the top six after the weekend win at Mallorca
    • Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is still looking for his first goal after returning to Spain in the summer
    • Malaga's first and only home game so far this term was a resounding 4-0 victory over Granada
    • Athletic Bilbao have picked up just one point from their three games, despite the arrival of respected coach Marcelo Bielsa in the summer
    • Striker Fernando Llorente will play his 250th competitive game for Athletic against Malaga
    • Llorente, a World Cup winner with Spain last summer, has scored 85 goals for the Basque outfit

    Racing SantandervsReal Madrid
                                                                     
    Jose Mourinho's side will look to return to winning ways in this match after Sunday's disappointing 1-0 defeat at Levante, in which midfielder Sami Khedira was sent off.

    A full preview of this fixture can be found here

    Rayo VallecanovsLevante

    PROBABLE LINE-UPS

      
    Gimenez
    Tito, Arribas, Figueras, Casado
    Fuego, Movilla,
    Trashorras, Michu, Botelho
    Piti


      
    Munua
    Javi Venta, Ballesteros, Nano, Juanfran
    X. Torres, Iborra
    Valdo, Barkero, Juanlu
    Kone
    KEY FACTS
    • Rayo Vallecano have scored just twice so far this season in their return to the top flight, but have let in just one and are unbeaten with five points from their three games
    • Rayo's promotion means there are four Madrid-based sides in Spain's top flight for the first time ever. Atletico, Real and Getafe are the others
    • Summer signing Koke is fit again and could return for this match
    • Levante have also picked up a win and two draws, having shocked Real Madrid with a 1-0 success at the Ciutat de Valencia on Sunday
    • Those five points have seen the Valencia-based side climb to seventh, which represents the club's best-ever start to a season in the top flight
    • Summer signing Carlos Aranda made an impressive cameo appearance in that match and could feature more prominently in this match


    ValenciavsBarcelona
                                                                     
    Pep Guardiola's Barcelona returned to form with a stunning 8-0 win at home to Osasuna on Saturday night, but face a tough test against the league leaders at Mestalla.

    A full preview of this fixture can be found here


    EspanyolvsGetafe

    PROBABLE LINE-UP

     
    Alvarez
    Galan, Moreno, Forlin, Didac
    Romaric, Marquez, Baena, Thievy
    Alvaro, Sergio Garcia 


      
    Moya
    Torres, Lopo, Diaz, Masilela
    Pedro Leon, J. Rodriguez, Lacen, Sarabia
    Guiza, Miku

    TEAM NEWS
    • Espanyol won their first home game, 2-1 over Athletic Bilbao, but have lost their other two matches
    • Midfielder Joan Verdu misses out through injury, while full-back Javi Lopez is suspended
    • Espanyol's 2-1 defeat at Zaragoza at the weekend was made even more painful by the fact that both goals were scored by the Catalans' former player Luis Garcia
    • Getafe have picked up just one point from their first three matches this season and disappointly lost 1-0 at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday
    • Coach Luis Garcia is unconcerned by his side's poor start. "He who laughs last, laughs louder," he said.
    • Striker Adrian Colunga is unlikely to feature after storming off the bench and upsetting his coach in the loss to Rayo at the weekend

    BetisvsZaragoza

    PROBABLE LINE-UP
      
    Castro
    Chica, Amaya, Dorado, Perez
    Etxebarria, Iriney
    Vadillo, Sevilla, Montero
    Santa Cruz

      
    Roberto
    Silva, Lanzaro, Meira
    Juarez, Pinter, Ponzio, Abraham
    Barrera, Lafita
    Postiga

    TEAM NEWS
    • Betis have won their opening three matches and sit joint top of the Primera Division alongside Valencia
    • Striker Ruben Castro, who scored the winners in his side's opening two games, could return after missing the win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday through injury
    • With Betis second and Sevilla fourth, there are two teams from Seville in the top four at the moment
    • Zaragoza's 2-1 success at home to Espanyol at the weekend came thanks to a 91st-minute winner from Lui Garcia, who had missed a penatly moments earlier
    • The Aragonese outfit has won just six of 42 games away to Betis
    • Summer signing Helder Postiga has been unable to train ahead of this match, but looks set to feature in Andalucia
    Read More
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