Liga Preview: Valladolid-Real Madrid

Real Madrid didn't get too much change out of Valladolid last season, drawing 2-2 at home and being beaten 2-1 on the road so everything points to another tight encounter.

Valladolid were many people's tips for the drop at the beginning of the season. Afterall they had lost top scorers Fernando and Tote, and not replaced them with anything like the same quality. However, their start has been refreshing. They mugged Racing Santander 1-0 on the opening day before beating Villarreal by the same score. Last week's 2-0 defeat to Deportivo, though, must have brought them down to earth. Still six points out of nine is a solid foundation to build on, especially for a side whose main ambition is simply to avoid the drop.

Real are setting their sights slightly higher. They have two wins out of two in La Lga and are cruising through the opening group stage of the Champions League to such a degree that they could probably play their second eleven for the remaining four games and still qualify with ease.

Vicente Del Bosque's only major concern must be in the heart of defence. Fernando Hierro's lack of pace is being exposed More and more in the league and he is likely to pick up many bookings this season because of it. The lack of cover at the back will also be a worry. Ivan Helguera has been moved back from midfield now, but if either he or Hierro were to get injured for a long while, only Francisco Pavon looks to have the quality to cope with a sustained run in the team. There's always Julio Cesar, although under Del Bosque his appearances have been limited.

Real's 6-0 win over Genk on Wednesday was like taking candy from a baby. The Begiun side actually survived until the 44th minute but after that the flood gates opened. Following an own-goal, Michel Salgado, Luis Figo, Guti, Albert Celades and Raul all got their names on the scoresheet.

LATEST TEAM NEWS

Valladolid: coach Pepe More brings Chema, Olivera and Pachón into the side, while Torres Gómez and Juan Manuel Peña also come in. Gaspar, Jonathan Martín, Oscar González, de Sousa and Aganzo are the men to drop out.

PL (4-4-2): Bizzarri; Torres Gómez, Peña, Mario, Marcos; Chema, Richetti, Colsa, Olivera; Fernando Sales, Pachón.

Real Madrid: Zidane and Makelele have recovered from the knocks they picked up against Roma and will take their place in the side. However, Ivan Helguera was injured when winning the penalty against Genk and won't play. Pavon comes in. Caesar and Ronaldo are both out, while Tote and Flavio have been left in Madrid despite not being injured.

PL (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Michel Salgado, Hierro, Pavón, Roberto Carlos; Makelele, Cambiasso; Figo, Raúl, Zidane, Guti.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Albano Bizzarri (Valladolid)- the Argentine goalkeeper will have his work cut out keeping the Real attack at bay. He was often the laughing stock of the Bernabeu in his time at Real and will be desperate to put on a good show against his old team.

Esteban Cambiasso (Real Madrid)- while perhaps not one of the headline grabbers, the Argentine has done a fine job in replacing Helguera who has dropped into the back four. He gets through a lot of work in the Real engine room, breaking up opponent attacks and starting new ones.