21.09. (Tue) 22:00 Real - Espanyol

Solid But Unspectacular
Real Madrid are quickly discovering that simply appointing Jose Mourinho as head coach is not a formula to magically nullify all their problems, yet los Blancos have still made a commendable start to their Primera Division campaign and sit third as they approach their midweek encounter against Espanyol.

After an opening day stalemate in Mallorca, los Merengues have since defeated Osasuna and Real Sociedad, though neither has been dispatched in any great style. Saturday’s performance in San Sebastian may not have been all-conquering, but it was enough to get all three points as Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo both scored fine goals en route to a 2-1 victory.

“I’m very pleased, not only for the goal but for the win,” proclaimed the Argentine goal scorer to the media after the game. “We wanted to win, and we must continue to win. Real Sociedad are a great team, we had a difficult time but we finally beat them.”

Rumours that Mourinho could take charge of Portugal on a temporary basis, suggestions that had the potential to cause a rift at the club, appear to have been cleared, with the coach claiming that he holds no grudges against los Blancos, who would not let him discuss the position.

These suggestions come at a rather fortuitous time as the club have no time to brood on the issue but are rather thrust into a period when they are playing game after game, allowing them to concentrate on their on-field issues as opposed to niggling off-field problems.

Scrappers
Rarely last season did Espanyol look like a particularly free-flowing offensive unit, but by the same token they were rarely easy opponents to break. Those same characteristics have been on display over the course of the first month of the Primera Division season, during which time los Periquitos have earned six points.

Saturday’s encounter against Almeria at the Cornella-El Prat was an archetypical performance from the Barcelona club. They kept things tight at the back but struggled to create a great deal going forward, hindered by the loss of top marksman Pablo Daniel Osvaldo due to injury. Maurizio Pochettino eventually saw his side make the breakthrough, scoring through Jose Callejon just after the interval.

“The players have shown strength, courage, hope, discipline and order,” Pochettino explained after the fixture to the media. “It has been a fair victory and I think we have perhaps not scored as many times as we should have. It is three important points, even at this stage of the season.”

The Argentine was somewhat reluctant to express any great hope of taking points from the midweek encounter against Real Madrid, explaining simply: “Hopefully we can play with the regularity and strength that we have shown at home.”

If Espanyol can make the game scrappy and disjointed, they will be pleased with their efforts as a battle would suit them far more than their hosts.

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Sergio Canales is set to miss out for around two to three weeks after innocuously spraining his ankle during training, but Raul Albiol returned to work with the squad on Sunday for the first time after suffering a similar issue during pre-season.

Kaka, Ezequiel Garay and Fernando Gago remain longer term issues for Jose Mourinho to consider.

Los Blancos have been training behind closed doors, keeping their cards close to their chest.

Probable Starting XI: Casillas; Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo; Khedira, Alonso; Ronaldo, Oezil, De Maria; Higuain

Espanyol
Ankle problems seem to be very much in vogue at present as Espanyol’s Ivan Alonso has also picked up an issue with the joint and will be missing for around a month, joining Pablo Daniel Osvaldo on the sidelines. Felipe Mattioni won’t be back in action until 2011 due to a serious knee injury.

The club were without Ivan de la Pena at the weekend due to a slight muscular problem, and the midfielder is again doubtful for this encounter.

Chica returns following a one game ban.

Probable Starting XI: Kameni; Chica, V. Ruiz, Forlin, Garcia; Duscher, Verdu, Marquez; Datolo, Luis Garcia, Callejon

Prediction

Espanyol won’t travel to the capital with the intention of going down easily. The Catalan side have already shown themselves to be obstinate opponents of late, but Madrid still command one of the fiercest offensive lines in the world and must always be backed to score on at least one occasion. Jose Mourinho’s men will pick a hard-earned three points in this match.

Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol  

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21.09. (Tue) 20:00 Athletic Bilbao - Mallorca

Good Weekend Point
Athletic Bilbao haven’t had an especially easy start to their Primera Division campaign and will be aiming to gain some real momentum by defeating Mallorca at San Mames on Tuesday evening.

Los Leones recorded an opening day victory over newly promoted Hercules by a 1-0 margin but would then succumb in the Basques Lands to in-form Atletico Madrid. It seemed on Saturday that they were heading for successive defeats as they went 2-0 down against Sporting de Gijon, but they came back into that match thanks to efforts from Carlos Gurpegui and Fernando Llorente, who saved them a point.

“We must be much stronger in defence, but there is much merit in the draw because in Spanish football to come back from 2-0 down is very complicated,” coach Joaquin Caparros told the media. “We have lacked a bit of luck, but I am left with a positive viewpoint because we have scored a point that had become very difficult.”

Despite losing to los Colchoneros in their opening Liga match in the Basque Country this term, Athletic boast a reputation for being inhospitable hosts, with the fans in their tightly packed venue loud and almost on top of the pitch. Against a Mallorca side who continue to toil on the road, they will expect to extract maximum points from this fixture.

Perfection Does Not Exist

The split persona of Mallorca continued to develop at the weekend as they picked up three points from their home encounter against Osasuna. Gonzalo Castro put the Islanders ahead from the spot midway through the first half before Jonathan De Guzman’s effort late in stoppage time at the end of the match simply served to tie the points up.

“This was a very important win, but it is important for us to have more control of matches. However, perfection does not exist, and certainly not in football,” coach Michael Laudrup considered after the match.

“As we reach a better level of performance, the key thing is to score points. I can say the same as [Real Madrid coach Jose] Mourinho in that my teams play better in the second year. Everything will come, but first we must get points.”

The Dane’s biggest problem is his side’s road form. On the opening day of the season Mallorca showed their pedigree by holding Real Madrid to a scoreless home draw, yet that was followed up with a disappointing 2-0 defeat by Sporting de Gijon. This was a pattern displayed over the course of last season and will be a major crutch to the Balearic side’s efforts unless they can somehow overcome their mental block when playing on their travels.

Prediction

Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Mallorca

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21.09. (Tue) 20:00 1899 Hoffenheim - Bayern Munchen

Hoffenheim Hoping To Rebound

The early season has been a good one for Hoffenheim, who had a perfect three wins in as many matches before last weekend’s slip up against Kaiserslautern. After Luis Gustavo put the village team ahead, Erwin Hoffer netted a second half brace, and it seemed that Hoffenheim might have been on their way to a first defeat of the season.

Enter Gylfi Sigurdsson, the Icelandic midfielder who was discovered by coach Ralf Rangnick’s son while he was on holiday in England. The former Reading man delivered a fine free kick to level the terms, and Hoffenheim managed to earn a draw.

“After the equaliser shortly following the break, it was clear that we weren’t at our best,” Rangnick told reporters. “We have to be satisfied the point, because we did not play very well.”

It may have been encouraging to have come back to earn a draw, but Hoffenheim’s failure to win on the weekend left them two points adrift of league leaders Mainz. Having lost their position atop the league table, Hoffenheim will be keen to rebound, even if it is against a dangerous Bayern side.


Bayern Desperate For Momentum

They may have won their Champions League opener against Roma, but Bayern have gone 270 minutes in the Bundesliga without scoring. In terms of ball control, the reigning German champions have completely dominated nearly every match in which they have played, but ultimately have had little to show for their efforts.

Most recently, against Koeln, Bayern won more than 77% of possession and completed nearly 90% of their passes. Their visitors were almost completely starved of chances to score. Yet, for all their ball control, Bayern barely made any scoring opportunities of their own.

“We didn’t take our chances again, and this time, the final pass wasn’t always accurate enough,” coach Louis van Gaal told reporters. “We did everything we could to get into dangerous positions in the box, but that’s not enough. We’ve also got to score.”

Bayern now have just five points from four matches, and are winless since their opener against Wolfsburg. They will face a Hoffenheim side that is far more technically proficient than recent opponents Koeln and Kaiserslautern, and that will be far more eager to attack.

Hoffenheim’s presumed willingness to attack at home may open up more opportunities for Bayern to use their pace and skill in open space, but this reality should not be taken for granted as a positive.

TEAM NEWS
 
Hoffenheim

Matthias Jaissle and Chinedu Obasi remain a bit short of health for Ralf Rangnick’s side, and the Hoffenheim coach is sweating over the fitness of Vedad Ibisevic and Sejad Salihovic, who took knocks last weekend. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Prince Tagoe are potential deputees for the Bosnian pair, should they fail to reach full fitness before kick-off.

Probable Starting XI: Starke - Beck, Simunic, Vorsah, Compper - Weis, Luis Gustavo, Sigurdsson - Mlapa, Ba, Tagoe

Bayern Munich

It’s been three matches since Bayern last scored domestically, and Louis van Gaal could make a tactical change, but the coach is more likely to stick with his standard 4-2-3-1 formation. Arjen Robben remains unavailable with a torn hamstring, and Breno is again unlikely to start due to fitness concerns, but Van Gaal should have the same squad available that has featured throughout the early season.

Probable Starting XI: Butt - Lahm, Van Buyten, Badstuber, Contento - Van Bommel, Schweinsteiger - Mueller, Kroos, Ribery - Klose

Prediction

For reasons tactical and quality-based, Hoffenheim will get overrun in midfield, and Bayern should expect to win possession at least by a 2:1 ratio. However, there is really little reason to expect the Bavarians to do much with the ball. THough it is entirely possible that Hoffenheim will score on the counterattack, or that any of a number of Bayern players may have a spark of brilliance, but a scoreless draw seems most likely.

TSG Hoffenheim 2-2 Bayern Munich

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21.22. 09. 2010. Carling Cup Preview

Birmingham City v MK Dons

• Birmingham have won their last six Carling Cup games against sides from a lower tier.
• The two Carling Cup games to date involving MK Dons and a Premier League side have produced 12 goals in total.
• MK Dons have never reached the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
• Birmingham City defeated Wimbledon 1-0 in the 2003/04 FA Cup, but haven't yet met them since the Dons moved to Milton Keynes.

Brentford v Everton

• Brentford have not kept a clean sheet in the Carling Cup since August 2001.
• The last time Brentford reached the third round of the Carling Cup they also faced a top-flight side, losing 4-1 at Norwich in 1991/92.
• Everton have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven third round matches in the Carling Cup.
• These teams have met 16 times, with both claiming seven victories.
• Five of the last six encounters between these outfits have been won by the home side.

Burnley v Bolton Wanderers

• Burnley have won their last three matches at home to Premier League opposition in the Carling Cup.
• The Trotters have kept only two clean sheets in their last 11 League Cup games on the road.
• Bolton are unbeaten in nine against Burnley, winning five of these matches.
• Should Bolton win this game they will draw level with Burnley in their head to head record with 43 wins.

Millwall v Ipswich Town

• Only once since 1995/96 have Millwall made it past the third round of the Carling Cup.
• Town have won five of their last six matches in the third round of the competition.
• The Lions have won just one of their last four home games against Ipswich.
• These sides met in the 2000/01 edition of the League Cup, the Tractor Boys progressed 5-2 (AET in the second leg), after losing the away leg 2-0.

Peterborough Untied v Swansea City

• The Posh have scored at least twice in their last six Carling Cup games.
• This is only ther second time Swansea have reached the third round of the League Cup since their relegation from the top-flight in 1983.
• Swansea's win over Peterborough in February ended a five game winless run against the Posh.
• However at Peterborough, the Swans have won three of the last five and lost just once in this run.

Portsmouth v Leicester City

• Pompey have won only two of their last six Carling Cup matches at home.
• Leicester have scored in their last 18 games in the League Cup.
• The Foxes are unbeaten in four games against Pompey, wining three of these games.
• The last two games at Fratton Park between these teams have seen Leicester win 2-0.

Stoke City v Fulham

• Fulham have not made it past the third round of this competition since the 2004/05 season.
• Stoke won both league encounters last season against Fulham
• The teams met in the 1994/95 edition of the competition, with both sides' winning their home tie.
• The last time the sides met in a knockout competition Fulham won 3-0 in the fourth round of the 2006/07 FA Cup.

Sunderland v West Ham United

• The Black Cats have kept a clean sheet in their last three Carling Cup games at home.
• The Hammers have lost their last six League Cup matches against Premier League teams.
• West Ham are unbeaten in four games against Sunderland, including three victories which saw them keep three clean sheets.
• Sunderland have won just one of their last five home games against the Hammers.

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

• Both Spurs and Arsenal have won their last six games in the third round of the Carling Cup.
• Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 17 matches at home in the League Cup.
• Arsenal have lost their last three matches away from home in the competition, conceding a total of 10 goals.
• None of the last seven games between these sides has seen an away victory.
• These sides met in the semi-final of the 2007/08 League Cup, Spurs won 5-1 at home in the second leg after a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Notts County

• Wolves have not made it to the fourth round of the League Cup since 2003.
• Wolves are without a win in their last three Carling Cup games against sides from the third tier.
• The Magpies have scored at least twice in their last eight matches in the third round of the competition.
• Wolves have won four of their last five games against Notts County with the other game ending level.
• The sides met in the 1992/93 League Cup when Notts County progressed 4-2 on aggregate, winning 1-0 at Molineux.

Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers

• Last season, this match (6-4) was the highest-scoring League Cup game since Villa beat Wycombe 8-3 in the competition in 2005.
• The last Carling Cup match at Villa Park saw 10 goals (the 6-4 vs Blackburn): the previous four had produced just four in total.
• Blackburn have won their last three third round matches, keeping a clean sheet each time.
• These sides met five times last season, including in both cup competitions, Rovers won both league encounters but lost all three cup games.

Chelsea v Newcastle United

• Chelsea have made it to the fourth round in eight of the last nine seasons.
• The Blues have scored in 20 consecutive League Cup games.
• The Magpies have conceded at least twice in each of their last six Carling Cup matches.
• Newcastle have been eliminated at this stage in each of the last three seasons.
• Newcastle have scored just one goal in their last seven games against Chelsea.
• Chelsea have not lost at home to Newcastle since November 1986, a run of 21 games.

Scunthorpe United v Manchester United

• The Iron have won their last four Carling Cup matches at Glanford Park.
• Last season was the first time in Scunthorpe's history that they had made it to the fourth round of the League Cup.
• Manchester United have lost three of their last six Carling Cup games against opponents from a lower division.
• These two sides have never played each other before.

Wigan Athletic v Preston North End

• Each of the Latics‘ last five League Cup games has seen a team win by at least a three-goal margin (three wins, two defeats).
• Wigan have conceded only one goal in total in their last seven Carling Cup games at home.
• Preston have conceded an average of 3.4 goals per game in their last 10 trips to top-flight opponents in the League Cup, losing nine of these matches.
• Wigan have won just one of their last 10 home games against Preston, losing five of these.
• Wigan have never beaten Preston in six League Cup meetings, losing four and drawing two.

Liverpool v Northampton Town

• Only one lower-league side has ever won at Anfield in 51 attempts in the League Cup (Grimsby 2-1 in 2001).
• The Cobblers have kept just one clean sheet in their last 24 League Cup games away from home.
• These teams have met three times previously, Northampton are yet to record a win.
• At Anfield, Liverpool won both games against Northampton, scoring eight goals and conceding just one.

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City

• The Baggies have not made it to the fourth round of the Carling Cup since 2005.
• City have scored in nine consecutive League Cup games away from home.
• West Brom have won their last three home games against the Citizens, scoring two goals in each match.
• None of their last nine meetings at the Hawthorns between these sides have ended level.

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20.09. (Mon) 21:00 Dep. La Coruna - Getafe

Get A Goal

It’s been a moderate start to the season for Deportivo La Coruna, who approach Monday’s game against Getafe without a goal to their name, yet they have already picked up two points in the early stages of this campaign.

Low scoring encounters were the speciality of the Galician side last term and having maintained their defensive resilience over the summer, the Riazor side have failed to add to their offensive firepower, leaving themselves in a very similar position to which they found themselves last term.

Sevilla were impressive stifled at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last weekend after an opening day home stalemate against Zaragoza. Miguel Angel Lotina was content with the performance last weekend, considering after the game to AS: “In the first half we were pretty good, moving the ball, without creating any clear chances, but competing fairly evenly. Sevilla tightened a lot after the break and the game was tougher then.

“We drew against a great team that shows a big physical intensity and is in more of a rhythm in official matches.”

Striker Adrian missed Depor’s best chance to win last weekend’s encounter, but he remains unconcerned about the club’s lack of goals thus far. “It is said that we don’t score goals and for me it isn’t weird,” he noted. “Just as we could win 3-0 against Getafe and people will no longer talk of it, these stories are like this. Honestly, I am not worried.

“if we don’t score the goals, then it’s normal to hear people talking. We are the main responsible for it and sincerely we are the first ones who want to fix it.”

A third scoreless draw in succession would be a frustrating manner in which to start the campaign, but that would much preferred to a high scoring loss.

Leave A Good Taste In The Mouth

Getafe have begun the season in a very different fashion to their frugal hosts. Michel’s men have seen goals galore in each of their last three competitive fixtures, which have produced a total of 12 strikes. The majority of these have been in favour of the Madrid men, who will look to keep the momentum of a two match winning streak going as they enter a frantic period of the season.

A 3-1 defeat at the hands of Espanyol on La Liga’s opening weekend was a disappointing way to start the campaign, but this was quickly followed up by a cathartic success over a Levante side who have started the term in a frightfully sluggish manner. Proving this was no fluke, los Azulones then wrestled their way to a 2-1 success over OB in midweek in Europa League play.

Michel was rather angry after the midweek success, lambasting the first half performance of his men. “At half time we talked and did not talk football or modifying positions on the pitch,” he stated to AS. “We appealed for pride and said we must be satisfied with what we do. It's something personal in each one of us. Everyone has to contribute a part to it. If we don't, the team appears vulgar, tasteless, sad, and that's not Getafe.”

Monday night football has sparked something of a debate in Spain, and Michel is one of the coaches against it. He has appeared in Marca stating that players should be given some time off, criticising the packed schedule of fixtures his team face at present.

The reality is that Geta will simply have to make do for the moment as they try to re-establish themselves as a top half club.

TEAM NEWS

Deportivo La Coruna

The big worry for the hosts is over Andres Guardado, who has struggled to train fully over the course of the last week. He trained only lightly on Friday due to a thigh problem, though Depor’s medics are yet optimistic over his participation.

Juan Dominguez also has thigh problems and will be missing for a couple more weeks. Dani Aranzubia, on the other hand, will at least make the bench.

Probable Starting XI: Manu; Manuel Pablo, Colotto, Lopo, Morel; Juca, Rodriguez; Urreta, Michel, Guardado; Riki

Getafe

Michel was left frustrated on Thursday by an injury to Jaime Gavilan, which will keep him out for a fortnight, which is a massive blow considering the form the winger showed last weekend.

Otherwise there has been good news on the injury front as both Manu Del Moral and Juan Albin have managed to shake off problems to feature in this encounter.

Probable Starting XI: Ustari; M. Torres, Cata Diaz, Rafa, Mane; Boateng; Manu, Parejo, Mosquera, Miku; Colunga 

Prediction

While Deportivo are generally involved in low scoring games, it’s the opposite for Getafe, which makes Monday’s match a tricky one to call. European fatigue will count against the visitors, who may be forced to rotate their squad fairly heavily after a tough midweek game. That should play into the hands of Depor, though whether they have the firepower to take advantage remains to be seen.

Deportivo 1-0 Getafe

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