Friday, May 18th, 2012
Osasuna v Mallorca
Mallorca have had a crazy week off the field with Michael Laudrup resigning as manager on Tuesday after a long-term dispute with Director of Football Lorenzo Serra Ferrer.
Miguel Angel Nadal will take temporary charge for the trip to Osasuna but will be without left-back Pablo Caceres for two to three months. Victor and Gonzalo Castro scored Mallorca’s first goals since the opening weekend against Real Sociedad last weekend and will be rewarded with a place from the start behind lone striker Tomar Hemed.
Osasuna have problems in central defence thanks to the continued absence of Sergio and Roversio so Miguel Flano and ex-Mallorca player Ruben Gonzalez will be partnered at the heart of the defence.
STAT: Mallorca have not kept a clean sheet on the road in the league since March 2010 (vs Racing).
Racing Santander v Rayo Vallecano
Racing were dealt another blow in their search for goals with the news that Lautaro Acosta will be out for at least two months with a meniscus injury.
In the absence of the Argentine Cristian Stuani will lead the line, supported by Ariel Nahuelpan and Pedro Munitis. Gonzalo Costa also remains on the sidelines.
Rayo have surprised many with their attacking intent so far and Jose Maria Sandoval will maintain that approach with Piti, Michu and Botelho supporting Raul Tamudo in attack.
Raul Bravo remains Rayo’s only injury absentee but he did return to light training this week and could make his debut after the international break.
STAT: Racing have not put together a run of five league games without a goal since March 2010 (four currently).
Villarreal v Real Zaragoza
Villarreal’s poor start to the season continued with a 2-0 defeat to Napoli in midweek but Juan Carlos Garrido’s men will be confident of kick starting their campaign at home to Zaragoza this weekend.
Javier Aguirre’s side have had a mixed bag of performances in their five games so far but have generally been one of La Liga’s poorest teams and thankful to goalkeeper Roberto for the five points they have to date.
Villarreal will welcome back Borja Valero from his European suspension but Marco Ruben remains out with a a toe injury and Nilmar is also unavailable with a recurrence of the knee injury that kept him out for six weeks at the start of the year.
Zaragoza have begun to get a more settled side together after a hectic end to the transfer window but Angel Lafita and Ruben Micael should be re-instated in midfield whilst Maurizio Lanzaro will replace the injured Mateos.
STAT: Real Zaragoza have taken just two points from their last eight league visits to the Madrigal.
Valencia v Granada
Valencia were grateful to Diego Alves for saving them point against Chelsea in midweek and Unai Emery has to make the decision whether to
stick with the Brazilian or start with Vicente Guaita, who has started all five league games so far.
Jordi Alba serves the second of his two-match ban after being sent-off against Barcelona and Artiz Aduriz is also suspended following his red card against Sevilla last weekend. Jonas, Pablo Piatti and Pablo Hernandez are expected to the be the trio selected to support Roberto Soldado in attack.
Granada have a host of injury concerns ahead of the trip to the Mestalla. Star man Dani Benitez had to play on despite being injured in last weekend’s draw with Osasuna as Fabri Gonzalez had already made his three substitutions as is unlikely to start. Part of the reason Fabri had made all three subs so early was due to injuries to Carlos Martins and Guillherme Siqueira and both are also not expected to recover in time to take part.
Alexandre Geijo should be handed his first start of the season as the lone striker.
STAT: Granada have never won on 17 visits to Valencia in the top flight (15 defeats, two draws).
Malaga v Getafe
Malaga haven’t conceded in their last four games and Manuel Pellegrini will stick with the side that he has favoured so far this season despite last week’s poor 0-0 draw at Zaragoza.
Sergio Sanchez could start again at right-back as Jesus Gamez remains an injury doubt. None of Pellegrini’s strikers have scored yet this season but the Chilean will retain his faith in the partnership of Julio Baptista and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
Getafe got their first win of the season earlier in the week against Real Betis and the decision for Luis Garcia is whether to go for both Dani Guiza and Miku up front or maintain the 4-2-3-1 that succeeded against Betis with Pedro Leon, Diego Castro and Abdel Barrada behind the Venezuelan.
STAT: Ruud van Nistelrooy is on a run of five LigaBBVA matches without scoring, his poorest-ever streak.
Tags: Getafe, Granada, Malaga, Mallorca, Osasuna, Racing Santander, Rayo Vallecano, Real Zaragoza, Valencia, Villarreal
