Friday, May 18th, 2012
Sporting Gijón vs. Athletic Bilbao
The Asturian side return to El Molinón in the midst of back-to-back wins, the most recent being an impressive win against Real Mallorca on theIsland. A spirited second half display showed all the intensity and desire that many a Sporting performance was entwined with last season. Manuel Preciado has galvanized his troops once more it seems, and the fans responded to it with a superb showing in Mallorca were they made a huge amount of noise. Preciado fielded the same team for the 4th game in a row, and there is a feeling he could do the same though fatigue could become an issue.
Athletic Bilbao are also a side in good form, which makes this encounter ever the more intriguing. In the last five games, Athletic have won three and lost none while in their recent game AtléticoMadridkept a previously elusive clean sheet. The performance against the Madrid-based side left the mouth watering, with some high tempo, fluid football and show. It also allowed Fernando Llorente to get back on form, and get Gaizka Toquero a goal despite spending most of the season on the bench. Llorente admitted after the game the whole team were fatigued, and in an intense Preciado side could push them over the limit.
Midfielder Javi Martínez is suspended, while Llorente remains a doubt as does centre-back Fernando Amorebieta. Mikel San José is likely to come in for the latter. The big loss has been Carlos Gurpegui through a season ending injury though, and the versatile captain will be sorely missed.
Osasuna vs. Levante
Osasuna are always strong at home and they will face a stern test here against leaders Levante. A convincing victory over Real Zaragoza, and a draw with Getafe, has seen José Luis Mendilibar’s side find a degree of form and they’ll be confident coming into the game despite the opponent’s form. Despite this form theGetaferesult will be frowned upon after they dominated for most of the game, and as has been the case this season Osasuna will continue to look dangerous on set-pieces and in the channels.
Roversio is out for a month, while Álvaro Cejudo is a fresh doubt after picking up a knock against Getafe. Roland Lamah looks set to return though, and could be the major change to the XI.
Levante are more than any other team in the spotlight right now, and deservedly so. Top of the league after an unbeaten start to the season and seven straight wins has seen widespread media pick up on this sensational story of the ‚other team’ in Valencia. Juan Ignacio Martinez’s side have surprised everyone, and despite it looking like the run would come to an end midweek against Real Sociedad a late Rubén Suárez made sure this glorious story continued.
Juanfran misses out through suspension.
Racing Santander vs. Real Betis
Racing Santander looked to be heading for their first victory of the season on Tuesday against Sevilla, but a late Manu strike dashed the Cantabrians hopes. Héctor Cúper will have been enthused by the performance from his side though, and especially so so at the performance of various youngsters including goal scorer Jairo. Given Racing’s financial plight those players coming through the cantera will be heavily relied upon.
After it all started so well for Real Betis things have turned sour with a run of five straight defeats. Pepe’s Mel’s efforts to get back that form saw him scrap 4-3-3 and go back to 4-4-2 which helped them on occasions in the Segunda División last season as an alternative shape. However, Mel’s side looked fatigued once more but even more worryingly they looked unimaginative and full of indecision in attack.
Javi Chica, Roque Santa Cruz, Álvaro Vadillo and Mario are all out through injury. A lack of form and the injuries, could present a chance to a few players from the impressive ‘B’ team.
Atlético Madrid vs. Real Zaragoza
Crisis might be slightly excessive, but whatever it is there are serious problems at Atlético Madrid. There is a lack of continuity in defence, the midfield looks too easily overpowered and in attack they are blunt. In Friday’s training session Gregorio Manzano called an emergency meeting to discuss with the players what happened in the 3-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao, and the coach may find himself in a meeting of his own soon – only with the club hierarchy. There looks set to be several changes ahead of the game in all areas of the field, with few impressing enough lately to solidify their place in the team.
Real Zaragoza however could represent the perfect game for Atleti, with the side from Aragon looking awful in recent games. A failure to get a single shot on target in the loss toValencia, plus some dismal play in midfield gives little to be confident about coming into the game. The stats are all mounting against them too; Javier Aguirre’s side has one of the worst pass success rates in the league, as well as the worst defensive record tied with two other teams.
Málaga vs. Espanyol
Málaga are experiencing a huge drop in form as the loss to Rayo Vallecano in Vallecas saw them suffer a third straight loss – simply not good enough for a side who have invested so much into their development at a financial level. Promoted Rayo completely dominated the game from the off and never looked like giving up an inch, and although Málaga lost a man early on Rayo’s desire to win seemed much more significant. There have been two main points of criticism for Manuel Pellegrini’s side; There is too little movement and link-up with the midfield from the attack, and more worrying is the state of a defence looking insipid against any opposition. They will hope that in front a strong home support they can get over the line here – a clean sheet wouldn’t go a miss neither.
Eliseu is out through suspension and in will come Nacho Monreal at left-back, while Julio Baptista still isn’t ready.
Espanyol staged a smash and grab victory over Real Betis on Thursday evening, in a tight game that looked like a draw from the beginning. Mauricio Pochettino’s young side had suffered for much of the game in front of goal, and it would take the 36 year old Walter Pandiani to come off the bench and teach everyone a lesson in finishing with a superb header. Pochettino will want a more ruthless touch in front of goal from the likes of Álvaro.
Worringly for the side from Barcelona, an injury was sustained by key central midfielders Javi Márquez and he remains a doubt. Defender Javi López will be suspended for the game.
Tags: Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Bielsa, Diego, Falcao, La Liga, Levante, Malaga, Muniain, Pellegrini
