Betis to face Barça in Huelva
Although it is officially billed as a home game, a two-match stadium closure means that Real Betis have been forced to make the short hop to Huelva to play Barcelona on Saturday (kickoff 21:30cet). On the same day, Alaves face Deportivo La Coruna.
Although it is officially billed as a home game, a two-match stadium closure means that Real Betis have been forced to make the short hop to Huelva to play Barcelona on Saturday (kickoff 21:30cet). On the same day, Alaves face Deportivo La Coruna.
Betis were handed the punishment as a result of crowd trouble in last season's derby against city rivals Seville, but will still be assured of plenty of support as close to 20,000 fans have decided to join their team in their exile.
Coach Victor Fernandez, who became renowned for his fluent attacking football during his four-year reign at Celta, has helped spark the renewed enthusiasm for the Andalucians who have played some of the most attractive football of the new season.
With former Roma midfielder Marcos Assuncao dominating the midfield, the fleet-footed Denilson and Joaquin on the wings and former Barcelona striker Alfonso spearheading the attack, goals are sure to be in plentiful supply this season.
Opponents Barca, who have recovered well from an early season hiccup that saw them make a rapid exit from the Cup, are now on a four-match winning run and have a harder edge to them under Dutch coach Louis van Gaal.
But Luis Enrique, who has scored in four games in a row and has struck up a good understanding with fellow forwards Patrick Kluivert and Javier Saviola, is keen that the team do not get carried away with the recent success.
"We got over the Cup defeat very quickly and are playing well, but we need to keep our feet on the ground," he said earlier this week. "We need time to judge our true form."
ALAVES vs. DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Injury to influential playmaker Juan Carlos Valeron has brought about a rapid change in fortunes for the Galician club, who looked a mere shadow of the side that beat Bayern Munich as they crashed to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
To add to their problems speedy winger Victor has now joined the club's rapidly growing injury list, but they will still be favourites to notch up their third league win in a row against Alaves who are without injured midfielder Jordi Cruyff.
VALLADOLID vs. REAL MADRID
Real have made an ominous start to the season. Even without Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane they managed to smash half a dozen goals past Genk in the Champions League on Wednesday to bring their total to 26 in six official matches so far this season.
Valladolid have made a good start to the campaign and beat Real at home last season, but given the array of talent at Real's disposal a repetition of that feat looks unlikely. Ronaldo's debut is still on hold and centre-back Ivan Helguera is a doubtful starter, but Zidane and Claude Makelele will play after shaking off minor knee injuries.
ATHLETIC BILBAO vs. REAL MALLORCA
A worrying start to the season for both sides is sure to make for an edgy encounter at San Mames. Athletic earned their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at Sevilla last week, but opponents Mallorca are rooted to the bottom of the table after they crashed to their third defeat in a row with a 4-0 thrashing at home to Atletico Madrid.
ATLETICO MADRID vs. RECREATIVO HUELVA
Unbeaten Atletico seem to have adjusted well on their return to the top flight and will be firm favourites to notch their third win in a row as they entertain the modest Andalucian side. Recreativo have shipped nine goals in their first three games and will have their hands full with the elusive young Atletico striker Fernando Torres in fine form.
CELTA VIGO vs. MALAGA
Like last season Celta top the table with three wins from three games, but they face their first real test against a determined Malaga side who came within a few seconds of beating reigning champions Valencia last week. With Russian midfielder Alexander Mostovoi running the show for Celta and his Dutch counterpart Kizito Musampa doing the same for Malaga a fascinating duel is in prospect.
ESPANYOL vs. SEVILLA
Espanyol changed their traditional policy of reliance on youth players and brought in a host of new recruits in the close season, but it seems to have backfired as they have failed to notch a point so far this season. Sevilla have battled their way to two draws and are sure to provide tough opposition. Midfielder Ivan de la Pena is out injured for Espanyol, while Vinny Samways is likely to make his debut for Sevilla in place of the suspended Marcos Vales.
OSASUNA vs. REAL SOCIEDAD
After three seasons dicing with relegation new coach Raynald Denoueix looks to have got the best out of Real Sociedad, who claimed a thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Betis last week. With Yugoslav striker Darko Kovacevic joint top of the scoring charts with five goals, the Basque side will be hopeful of claiming a win against Osasuna who lost 4-1 to Real Madrid last time out.
RACING SANTANDER vs. VILLARREAL
New Villarreal coach Benito Floro watched his side slip to a 1-0 defeat at home to Alaves in his first match in charge last week, but will be hoping that they can produce an improved performance against recently-promoted Racing. The Cantabrians will be without Belgian keeper Erwin Lemmens who was sent off during last week's 3-1 defeat away to Rayo.
VALENCIA vs. RAYO VALLECANO
Defending champions Valencia remain unbeaten after they scraped a 2-2 draw at Malaga last week thanks to an injury-time goal from Miguel Angel Angulo. The midfielder also starred in the impressive 3-0 win away to Spartak Moscow in the Champions League in midweek and should keep his place against Rayo, while striker Juan Sanchez may get the nod over John Carew up front.