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| Will he, won't he? Bilbao will need Llorente to claim the spoils in the Basque derby |
Valencia v Zaragoza (16:00)
Another week, another disappointing result for a Valencia side looking devoid of personality. They can point to an element of misfortune, in that three efforts on target yielded two goals for Mallorca, but we’ve had 6 games across the competitions to assess Pellegrino’s work and they clearly need to start picking up more points. They sit 15th at present with just a single win.
I (just about) tipped Zaragoza to get the win last week against Osasuna. in fact, they produced by far their best performance of the season to date in that 3-1 win at the Romareda. Predictably, Postiga was amongst the goals, the across the team they looked more cohesive. The midfield dominated, and the defence (aside from dozing off for Armenteros’ equaliser) held fairly solid.
Valencia go into this game with the usual long term absentees (see post below), and those are concentrated in the midfield and mediapunta zones. Fernando Gago is back from injury having missed the last game.
No new absentees for the visitors. This one looks like home win to me, anything less and serious questions will be asked about Pellegrino (and the Valencia board’s decision to replace Unai Emery).
Málaga v Real Betis (18:00)
Málaga didn’t quite hit the heights in game at San Mamés that might have been there for the taking, but both sides looked fatigued following their European exertions on the day. That injury list has whittled away, and the only non long-termer missing is Toulalan. There had been some talk of the French midfielder being involved here, but he’s not been selected in the squad.
Betis had a mixed week. Paulao’s header gave them the points against Espanyol on Saturday, and they took the lead against Atlético in midweek. The Falcao machine saw that it didn’t last long, but even having regained it, they fell away to lose 3-2, having both Perquis (who gave away a penalty) and the rather silly Joel Campbell sent off. Manager Pepe Mel was fortunate not to follow the pair.
There’s been a lot to admire about Málaga’s season to date, and I expect them to pick up three points here.
Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao (20:00)
Basque derbies are always a tasty affair (the equivalent in this ground finished 2-1 to Athletic last year) and both teams need to gain some momentum from this game.
Once again, Sociedad looked all over the place against Levante (Griezmann as a false 9, anyone?), and having been held scoreless at San Mamés in the Europa League, Bilbao again drew a blank against Málaga.
In other words, it’s time to cut the crap. Montanier’s tinkering has been getting the hosts nowhere. For the visitors, Fernando Llorente is clearly no longer an injury concern. Having scored off the bench in week 4, Marcelo Bielsa needs to start him here. Aduriz scored twice that week, so there’s an argument towards a partnership. It’s hardly Bielsa style to go with two number 9s, mind.
None of the absentees are new for either side. When they’ve turned up (nowhere near often enough, in truth) Bilbao have shown they’re still better stocked quality-wise than their Gupiozkoa rivals. Maybe this is the challenge to focus the minds. Away win.
Sevilla v Barcelona (22:00)
Took a while, but both teams wound up 2-0 winners in the end on matchday 5. But there was a marked contrast in the degree to which they convinced. Sevilla inflicted Deportivo’s first home defeat of the season on Monday night, with Negredo getting the breakthrough goal, provided by the excellent Jésus Navas.
Míchel’s managed to mould this underachieving aside in his own image. They still lack a little bit of spark in the midfield, but their direct (or even, at times, incoherent) philosophy has been eschewed for a more patient possession based approach. Their defence has also tightened.
Once again, Barcelona have a long injury list to contend with. Xavi was rested against Granada, but proved the game changer coming off the bench. With Iniesta still out, Tito Vilanova will start with him here. Alexis Sánchez started, and during the week rated his performances as a whole in his spell in Catalonia as a “5 out of 10”. Pedro should get the nod here.
The bulk of Barcelona’s absentees are still in defence, and Adriano can now be added to that list. Jordi Alba will be restored. The positional play of the full backs has been as issue when he and Dani Alves have started, and against the likes of Navas that’s something to be rectified.
Batra was widely tipped to start last week, but instead Alex Song was favoured alongside Mascherano. Vilanova spoke afterwards about game time being the key for the ex-Arsenal man to adapt to the position, but with neither Puyol nor Piqué fit to call on, going with a specialist would be a smarter move here.
Both form and performances point to a draw here, but I expect a much better showing from the visitors and think Barça might just shade it.
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