Matchday 5- Saturday previews

(All kick off times CET)

Zaragoza will need Hélder Postiga to be on form to secure the points against Osasuna

Zaragoza v Osasuna (16:00)

That flukey opening day win against a preposterously generous Espanyol is but a distant memory for the Aragonese club. Once again they find themselves in deep trouble following their third straight defeat in San Sebastian to Sociedad. 

Osasuna are in an even worse position, but it could be argued that it’s a false one. Certainly based on their clever performance against Barcelona which merited at least a point. But the rest of the evidence is mixed. They were much better last time taking a point against a decent Mallorca side, but anything was going to be an improvement on their loss at Celta.

Central midfielder Puñal is still suspended for Osasuna, and he’s a big absence. The same is true of forward Joseba Llorente (Kike Sola will step in here). Zaragoza are, frankly, an awful side. But as long as they’ve got Hélder Postiga up front and Roberto between the sticks, they have the capacity to sneak points. Other than Loovens who hasn’t kicked a ball yet, the only notable absentee is Adam Pinter and Apoño will be back in the midfield. Taking all that into account, the balance might just be tipped in their favour here.

Probable XIs:

Zaragoza
Roberto; Sapunaru, Alvaro, Paredes, Abraham; Romaric, José Mari, Apoño; Edu Oriol, Hélder Postiga, Montañés

Osasuna
Andrés Fernánedez; Oier, Arribas, Flaño, Nano; Anthony Annan, Timor; Cejudo, Armenteros, Sisi; Kike Sola

Celta v Getafe (18:00)

Very early in the season to be calling anything a big game, but this really gives us a chance to see just how serious a team Celta are. They finally picked up a win in week 3, having held their own against Málaga here on day one. The problem is, that win came against Zaragoza. As such, it’s futile to divine too much from that.

What we can say is that they’ve been largely game so far. Their attitude has been beyond reproach, where they’ve tended to fall short is in their composure in the final third. The jury is still out on Iago Aspas at this level. Crucially, Krohn-Dehli looks to be settling into the side well.  Quique de Lucas absence means we should see a modified system.

Getafe’s thumping at the Camp Nou was a write off. We could be unkind and say that their win against Real was a one-off, and it’s true that José Mourinho’s ludicrous substitutions sabotaged the champions’ efforts at the Coloseum. But that would overlook the fact that Luís García Plaza won the tactical battle hands down, and his players rose to the occasion. That same ballsy resolve they offered that night was clear again in their comeback against Depor where they were commendably (and unusually) proactive.

All in all, this promises to be a fascinating encounter and looks a tight one to call. As you might gather from the above- and I’m still to be convinced that Paco Herrera’s got his managerial bearings at this level just yet- Getafe are probably good enough to pick up a point here.

Probable XIs

Celta
Javi Varas; Hugo Mallos, Cabral, Tuñez, Roberto Lago; Augusto Fernández, Oubiña, Bustos, Krohn-Dehli; Mario Bermejo, Iago Aspas

Getafe
Moyá; Varela, Lopo, Aléxis, Miguel Torres; Xavi Torres, Michel; Pedro León, Barrada, Diego Castro; Alvaro

Real Betis v Espanyol (20:00)

Espanyol again tossed away a two goal lead against Athletic last weekend, having done the same against 10 man Levante the previous matchday. At least this time they managed to pick up a point; their first of the season. 

Signs from that game were a lot more positive and they’re looking a bit less clueless now in front of goal than they had done previously. But they’re up against a very unpredictable Betis side who nonetheless have made a strong start to the season.

Both of Betis’ wins have come on the road, and if the 5-3 win at Athletic saw their best (ultimately) triumph over their worst, they were most pretty poor in going down at home to Vallecano in week two. That doesn’t look as bad taken against Vallecano’s performances as a whole.

The visitors go into this one with Forlín out due to a virus, Colotto, Baena and Albín are also sidelined along with long term absentee Sergio García. Longo misses out two after being sent off the last day. Betis are in altogether better shape, with Chica the only likely absentee, although he may feature. They’ll fancy their chances in this one, and should be good for three points.

Barcelona v Granada (22:00)

A long list of absentees for the home side, but these are unlikely to cause issues against a poor Granada side who at any rate have absentees of their own. The bulk of those missing for Barcelona are in a defence who the likes of Floro Flores (scorer in the draw v Depor) and El Arabi shouldn’t be troubling. 

At least Dani Alves is fit, with Adriano likely to slot in at left back again. Mascherano presumably drops in at centre-half, probably partnered by Marc Bartra (Alex Song alongside another customary midfielder would be a big call). Iniesta’s absence opens up a slot for the like of Thiago, which means we could see Cesc get a start in the midfield too enabling Xavi to be rested.

Granada were second best against Depor and their only other point this season, at home to Sevilla, was conditioned by the visiting goalkeeper’s sending off and subsequent penalty kick. Even then, they couldn’t hold on to the lead. No new confirmed injuries to add to those listed in the previous post. Goalkeeper Roberto Fernández is back from injury, central defender Borja Gómez returns from suspension, with the French midfielder Yacine Brahimi likely to get his first start.

A fifth straight Barcelona win is the only outcome feasible, and by a big margin.

Probable XIs

Barcelona
Valdés; Daniel Alves, Mascherano, Bartra, Adriano; Thiago, Busquets, Cesc; Pedro. Messi, David Villa

Granada
Toño; Nyom, Iñigo López, Borja Gómez, Siquiera; Orellan, Mikel Rico, Iriney, Brahimi; El-Arabi, Floro Flores

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