Two sides riding high in the standings clash at La Rosaleda. Málaga have been a model of consistency so far this season, both in terms of performances and results. The 1-0 reverse they suffered at Atlético- courtesy of a late Weligton own goal- was their first defeat in any competition to date.
Valladolid have been harder to call, posting some excellent performances- none more so than week 6’s staggering 6-1 humbling of Rayo Vallecano. But their tight squad has been hit by a couple of absences this week. Lluís Sastre isn’t a regular starter, but Álvaro Rubio is a usual starter in the middle of the park- and when he doesn’t Sastre is usually the man deputise.
Málaga are also missing some familiar faces. Jeremy Toulalan sits this one out, but at any rate Ignacio Camacho has been a revelation in the the defensive midfield zone. Nacho Monreal will be missed at left back where Eliseu, who is much more comfortable in the attacking third, will deputise.
Málaga have won three of their four home games to date- Valladolid have an opening day win at Zaragoza and defeats in Bilbao and at Atlético Madrid- the latter of which was, much like Málaga’s on the same ground, somewhat unlucky.
Valladolid are certainly capable of making this a tricky a game, but I fancy the hosts to take all three ahead of their Champions League clash with Milan.
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (18:00 CET)
A wretched FIFA break for the Champions who go into this one depleted in the full back zones. Marcelo injured himself against Iraq and will be out until the new year, while Fábio Coentrão is also out. Álvaro Arbeloa then limped off in Spain’s draw against France.
Nacho is expected to step up from the B team with Sergio Ramos slotting in at right back. This means that Pepe will be partnered by Raúl Albiol, a man who wasn’t considered for selection for a Spain side missing many recognised centre-backs; and whose lapse against Getafe in his last outing led to a goal.
Khedira is likely to sit this out, and while both Higuaín and Benzema picked up knocks, the former looks likelier to start up front. Modric or Essien will partner Xabi Alonso; both Kaká and Mesut Ozil excelled in the international games, leaving Mourinho with a more pleasant dilemma here.
Celta’s form has been good, and improving- they’ve picked up three wins in the last five, including one over Sevilla last time round. Sergio Álvarez is expected to continue in goal, where Javi Varas is still a doubt. Tuñez should be fit to play in defence, and the question mark is whether Paco Herrera opts for Park Chu Young or Quique de Lucas.
None of this should make any decisive impact on the outcome. Celta’s danger man in recent weeks, Michael Krohn Dehli will be up against a tough opponent in Ramos. On the other flank, the visitors’ hope will be that Fernández can test Nacho, but the youngster is a competent performer and this should be a routine win for the hosts.
No comments:
Post a Comment