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| Pochettino's last stand? |
All kick-off times
local (CET).
Here's a summary of the
suspensions and injuries affecting those sides in action on Saturday.
Suspended:
Oscar De Marcos, Ander
Herrera (Athletic Bilbao)
Sergio Busquets
(Barcelona)
Christian Stuani
(Espanyol)
Emiliano Armenteros
(Osasuna)
Aly Cissokho (Valencia)
Abraham, Cristian
Sapunaru (Zaragoza)
Injured:
Galarreta, Inigo Pérez
(Athletic Bilbao)
Eric Abidal, Isaac
Cuenca, Marc Muniesa, Thiago, Adriano, Alexis Sánchez (Barcelona)
Sergio Sánchez, Nacho
Monreal (Málaga)
Punal, Masoud, Nino
(Osasuna)
Marcelo, Gonzalo
Higuaín (Real Madrid)
Jeremy Mathieu, Sergio
Canales, Joao Perreira, Fernando Gago, Pablo Piatti (Valencia)
Ivan Obradovic, Glen
Loovens, Maurizio Lanzaro (Zaragoza)
Doubtful:
Fernando Amorebieta
(Athletic Bilbao)
Alex Song (Barcelona)
Osasuna v Málaga
(16:00)
OSASUNA probably even
surprised themselves last weekend, producing a stunning and badly
needed 3-0 win away to fellow bottom feeders Espanyol. It was a
curious game, where in many respects they were second best, but they
produced a level of intensity not seen their home defeat to Barcelona
in week 2. As such, a massive lift after their struggling start to
the season.
They'll go into this
one weakened, however. Armenteros has been their one outstanding
player to date but he won't feature here. There's a big doubt over
another important player, midfielder Punal, and another regular,
Nino.
MALAGA come into this
off the back of their first real dip of the season. They've not won
in their last four in all competitions. In particular, their last two
games, both at home, which saw 2-1 defeats to Rayo & a Real
Sociedad shorn of Antoine Griezmann were desperately disappointing.
Perhaps the shortness of their squad is beginning to catch up. Nacho
Monreal is a big loss at left back.
Summary
The respesctive changes
in form makes this one very difficult to call. As such, there's two
important areas to consider in assessing this one. Firsly, there's
the absentees, which look to hit the hosts a lot harder. Secondly,
there's the question of whether they can match last week's intensity
and whether Málaga's scope to improve will give them the edge.
Valencia v Espanyol
(18:00)
VALENCIA have been
edging up the table in recent weeks, while struggling to match the
consistency they've showed in Europe. Last week's draw against
Valladolid put the breaks back on after their impressive win over
Atlético but the sending off of Aly Cissokho and subsequent penalty-
which angrered their coach Pellegrino- conditioned that draw.
Cissokho is thus
suspended, and with Jeremey Mathieu still injured, Valencia are
missing their two first choices at left back. Joao Perreira isn't
ready on the other flank, which means that Antonio Barragan should
continue there.
Fernando Gago is back
on the injured list, which makes matters trickier still. Fortunately,
Ever Banega's integrated himself back into the team offsetting the
loss of his compatriot. It was puzzling to see Pellegrino opt for
Nelson Valdez from the start last week. Roberto Soldado replaced him,
and will be restored to the starting line-up here.
ESPANYOL were left
shellshocked after going down 3-0 at home to Osasuna last week. Few
would have seen that one coming as with their recent upswing in form
this was a game they were strongly favoured to win. The result was
particularly harsh given that they dominated possession and created
far more chances. But despite hitting the woodwork, they familiar
failings in the final third were all too evident.
Christian Stuani picked
up a yellow to earn himself a suspension, meaning on-loan Samuele
Longo will step in up front. Finally, that ridiculous list of
injuries that's plagued their season has cleared. Wakaso impressed in
the opening weeks, though his form has dropped off since. They'll be
hoping his midweek goal for Ghana helps him rediscover his mojo.
Off the field, the
farce continues. Ahead of next week's elections, talk emerged last
weekend that Mauricio Pochettino was on his way out. Previously,
there'd been talk of him getting the sack, but last weekend in fact
it was a case of him wanting to walk. He's staying for now, but every
passing week sees his position under further scrutiny.
Summary
An important one for
both sides. Valencia's performanes, particulary in Europe has lifted
the pressure on Pellegrino as the heat's been turned up on his
compatriot Pochettino. Valencia's overall incosistency leads me to
hesitate a little on calling this one, even if all else points to a
home win. In Espanyol's favour, the expectation of gaining points
here is low, but regardless there's been a element of rabbit in the
headlights running through their displays all season.
Barcelona v Zaragoza
(20:00)
Leaky at the back, but
still flying, BARCELONA put their defeat at Celtic Park behind them
against Mallorca to extend their best ever start to a domestic
season. Not without making things interesting though. Flying into a
three goal lead, two for the hosts left them sweating a little 'til
Messi's 76th goal of the calendar year made the points
safe.
The injury situation's
improving too. Gerard Piqué is already back, and while Carles Puyol
is available for selection he's likely to be eased back into action.
Timely stuff, as with Alex Song almost certain to miss out and with
Sergio Busquets suspended, they'll be able to play a defence
comprised of actual defenders for the first time since the transition
to democracy.
Alexis Sánchez
reported back injured following Chile's defeat in Serbia, but Pedro's
double against Panama cotinued his hot streak for the national team.
David Villa struck his 299th career goal that night, and
will fancy his chances of reching the 300 mark against his former
club should he get the nod.
ZARAGOZA come into this
one in excellent form. Four wins from their last five sees them in
the dizzy heights of 11th, impressive given it was assumed
they'd be hovering around the bottom again. They produced a fine
comeback from two down against Depor last week, albeit aided greatly
by the expulsion of Pizzi. Hélder Postiga's fine form continued with
a brace.
They go into this one
short their first choice full back pairing however, and Zucculini was
hauled off in the first half following a nightmare display last week.
This would be problematic at the best of times, but it's positively
disastrous given the task they'll face here.
Summary
The so-called FIFA
virus has plagued Barcelona in recent seasons, but its symptoms
appear banished under Tito Vilanova. Given that Xavi was left out,
and both Iniesta and Cesc played 45 minutes each, the midfield will
be fresh. Zaragoza have excelled against middling oppostion this
term, but their 4-0 defeat at the Bernabéu a couple of weeks back-
even if it flattered Real to a fair degree- offers a fair indication
of how this one will go. Vilanova may well continue his policy of
shuffling the deck in midfield and attack as they look to clinch
their Champions League group in midweek, but it's unlikely to cause
Barcelona any difficulty.
Real Madrid v
Athletic Bilbao (22:00)
REAL welcome back Karim
Benzema and Sami Khedira for this game. With the defensive injury
crisis eased, we should see something approaching their strongest
first XI here. Cristiano Ronaldo missed Portugal's midweek friendly
following an injury sustained at the elbow of Levante's David Navarro
last week, but is fit to start here.
That was a big win for
Real, especially in the circumstances. It was their first win in four
games at the Ciutat de Valencia, where they lost last term. On a
paddling pool of a pitch, under pressure, and having surrendered the
lead after the break, the victory was a sweet one.
As such, Mourinho will
be more satisfied than he's been of late. He criticised their
performance despite the win to Zaragoza the week before, and indeed
the 4-0 scoreline was flattering.
ATHLETIC's situation is
a little trickier. Curiously, they're on the same points total as
this time last season, but with all the brouhaha that's surrounded
their season the outlook couldn't be any more different. They've lost
15 of their last 16 meetings against the Champions, and lost 4-1 on
this ground last season.
Friday's news is that
Fernando Amorebieta is highly doubtful. It's unlikely that he'll
start here. Suspensions rob them of the inportant duo of Oscar De
Marcos abd Ander Herrera. Marceloa Bielsa intends to try Gurpegi in
midfield, which should mean a central defensive pairing of Mikel San
José and Ekiza.
Markel Susaeta marked
his debut for the national side with a goal against Panama on
Wednesday. The ongoing nonsense means that Fernando Llorente is
unlikely to start. In his place, Aritz Aduriz has scored half of
their 16 league goals to date but he's one booking away from a
suspension, which could leave Bielsa with an interesting dilemma
ahead of next week. Last week's home win over Sevilla was huge,
coming off the back of a lucky 2-1 at Granada.
Summary
Bilbao will do well to
get anything here. Real are unbeaten at home since Barcelona's visit
last December. A smart bet would be for to lead at half-time and
full-time. Both of these sides' games tend to entail goals, so look
for prices on three or more in total.
Casillas; Arbeloa,
Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; Cristiano Ronaldo, Modric,
Ángel di Maria; Benzema
Iraizoz; Iraola, Ekiza,
San José, Aurtenetxe; Gurpegi, Iturraspe; Susaeta, Muniaín, Ibai
Gómez; Aduriz
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