La Liga: Valencia's first real test
League leaders Valencia will undergo the first serious test of their title defence when they host second-placed Celta Vigo on Sunday.
League leaders Valencia will undergo the first serious test of their title defence when they host second-placed Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Valencia, unbeaten in the league since January, have suffered just one minor hiccup this season when tbey had to come back from two goals down to snatch a draw at Malaga.
Otherwise they have been in imperious form, with wins over Real Mallorca, Recreativo Huelva and Rayo Vallecano taking them top ahead of Celta and Real Sociedad on goal difference. They warmed up for the visit of Celta with a 6-2 stroll past Basel to make it three wins out of three in the Champions League and all but secure a place in the second phase.
Rafa Benitez's side will enjoy nothing like that sort of attacking freedom against a cautious Celta Vigo side on Sunday.
Under new coach Miguel Angel Lotina the Galicians have won three and drawn one of their games this season, conceding just three goals along the way.
"There are our strongest rivals at the moment," Valencia centre-back Roberto Ayala said. "They're powerful up front and we're going to have to look to expose any gaps they might leave behind."
Celta's problem could be tiredness. They were given a tough time in a 1-0 defeat by OB Odense in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, a result that saw them squeeze through 2-1 on aggregate. Lotina did take the precaution of leaving Jesuli, Gustavo Lopez and Catanha out of his starting line-up in that game and all three are expected to return on Sunday.
Saturday:
RECREATIVO HUELVA vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO
Athletic Bilbao's German coach Jupp Heynckes is under pressure after a dreadful start to the season and the Basque side badly need a first win against bottom-placed Recreativo, who like Athletic have managed just one point so far.
Sunday:
BARCELONA vs. OSASUNA
Barcelona will have Juan Roman Riquelme and possibly Michael Reiziger back from injury but coach Louis van Gaal is likely to stick with the team that beat Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League in midweek. Osasuna won 1-0 at the Nou Camp last season but they have already conceded 11 goals in the league this term and another victory looks a long shot.
DEPORTIVO CORUNA vs. RACING SANTANDER
Depor coach Javier Irureta should stick with Roy Makaay and Diego Tristan in attack after the partnership made so much trouble for Lens in the Champions League. Victor has recovered from a leg muscle strain and could be back in midfield.
MALAGA vs. ATLETICO MADRID
Malaga made it safely past Zeljeznicar Sarajevo in the UEFA Cup on Thursday but they were a long way from their best and coach Joaquin Peiro is likely to make changes. Cosmin Contra could regain his place in the Atletico defence as Jorge Otero is suspended.
RAYO VALLECANO vs. VILLARREAL
Rayo have a goalkeeping problem, with Sergio Segura ruled out injured and Imanol Etxeberria trying to overcome an ankle problem. Villarreal have won this fixture in each of the last two seasons and a similar result here would help kickstart their campaign after a less than impressive start.
REAL MADRID vs. ALAVES
Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque will be grateful for the return of Fernando Hierro after the side conceded three goals to AEK Athens in the Champions League. Michel Salgado is suspended, though, meaning Oscar Minambres will probably start. There are still doubts over whether Ronaldo will make his debut in this game, with the Brazilian warning he is still a long way from being fully fit.
REAL MALLORCA vs. ESPANYOL
Espanyol haven't won away from home for more than 12 months, while Mallorca have lost both their home games this season, leaving this game difficult to call. The home side have striker Albert Riera doubtful after he suffered an injury in training this week.
REAL SOCIEADAD vs. VALLADOLID
Real Sociedad have been in great attacking form so far, outscoring everyone in the Spanish first division. Valladolid have one of the tightest defences around, though, and after holding Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw they will feel confident for this visit to the Basque country.
SEVILLA vs. REAL BETIS
Betis will be overwhelming favourites going into this city derby after crushing Barcelona 3-0 last week. Coach Victor Fernandez left most of his first team on the sidelines for a comfortable UEFA Cup win over Zimbru Chisinau on Thursday and they should be raring to go.