Real Madrid ready to silence their critics
Only a month ago Real Madrid's many critics were chuckling over their predicament and their proximity to the Spanish first division relegation zone, after one of their worst ever starts to a season.
Only a month ago Real Madrid's many critics were chuckling over their predicament and their proximity to the Spanish first division relegation zone, after one of their worst ever starts to a season.
However, after going undefeated in their last five games they have gradually crept up the table and nobody is suggesting anymore that they will be unable to defend their Spanish league title.
Real currently lie seventh with 16 points from 11 games, seven points behind league leaders Deportivo La Coruna, but a win at Real Zaragoza on Sunday could see them in the top four and ready to challenge for the top spot by the two-week break over the Christmas and New Year holiday.
"It's too soon to start discounting any team from getting the title," said Real Madrid coach Vicente Del Bosque on Thursday.
"Deportivo are playing well and very cleverly but the league is long and I have always said that there will be difficult matches and plenty of potholes for every team to fall down," added Del Bosque.
However, Del Bosque is well aware that the motorway to Zaragoza has been an unusually smooth ride for many visitors.
Zaragoza have the worst home record in the Spanish first division this season, having only picked up four points in five games in front of their home fans and Del Bosque can feel reasonably optimistic that his men will extend their unbeaten streak despite losing two key players and doubts over the availability of Steve McManaman and Roberto Carlos.
French internationals Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele are on international duty for Sunday's controversial international in Australia while McManaman has hamstring problems and has asked England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to be excused from Saturday's friendly against Sweden.
Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos is in South America, ostensibly to play in his country's last World Cup matches, against Bolivia and Venezuela, but knee tendon problems may preclude him playing for club or country in the next few weeks.
Zaragoza coach Txetxu Rojo will also have to fill gaps in their regular line-up as they will be without their Paraguayan midfielder Toro Acuna and Croatian striker Mate Bilic.
Deportivo, by contrast, have luck on their side and will lose only their Dutch striker Roy Makaay, who will be playing in his country's international against Denmark, for the match at Tenerife on Sunday.
Makaay's absence could see Uruguayan super-sub Walter Pandiani come off the bench and start a rare game.
Deportivo are on a roll after their 5-1 thrashing of Osasuna on Sunday and their emphatic 4-1 victory over third division Marino in the second round of the Spanish Cup on Wednesday.
"It's been a good week. We're first, we've got more goals than anyone else," said satisfied Deportivo coach Javier Irureta.
The same could not be said for Barcelona coach Charly Rexach despite the club lying third, four points behind Deportivo.
Rexach is aiming for a good performance at home against Valladolid after losing 2-0 in the bitter derby match at Real Madrid last Sunday.
The Catalan football giants crashed out of the Spanish Cup on Wednesday, losing 1-0 to Figueres with the third division outfit getting their shock winner a minute into injury time.
Barcelona have been the hardest hit team with regard to international absentees and six players, including their Brazilian striker and former World Player of the Year Rivaldo, are unavailable.
Rexach is expected to name former Spanish international Alfonso Perez as Rivaldo's replacement and call up several players from the reserve team for a rare outing in the top flight.
In Andalusia, Sevilla play host to Real Betis on Saturday in the local derby which is often more brutal than even Real Madrid-Barcelona encounters.
The potential for bloodshed extends far beyond the football field with the Spanish police having designated the game a high-risk affair.
Dressing room discontent still remains rife at Betis in the aftermath of the now notorious - and riotous - Halloween night party held at midfielder Benjamin Zarandona's house, attended by some of the squad but broken up at 2.00 a.m. by club president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera and coach Juande Ramos.
Saturday:
Sevilla vs. Real Betis
Sunday:
Alaves vs. Espanyol
Celta Vigo vs. Athletic Bilbao
Osasuna vs. Valencia
Rayo Vallecano vs. Malaga
Real Sociedad vs. Real Mallorca
Villarreal vs. Las Palmas
Real Zaragoza vs. Real Madrid
Tenerife vs. Deportivo La Coruna
Barcelona vs. Valladolid