Spanish first division matches, September 20-21
The spotlight may be firmly focused on Real Madrid and their exhilarating brand of attacking football but the team that have made the best start to the Spanish season are the consistent Deportivo Coruna.
The spotlight may be firmly focused on Real Madrid and their exhilarating brand of attacking football but the team that have made the best start to the Spanish season are the consistent Deportivo Coruna.
Javier Irureta's side, who play bottom club Albacete at the Riazor on Sunday, are the only team in the first division with a 100 percent record after the first three games of the season.
Despite selling prolific striker Roy Makaay to Bayern Munich, they still enjoy an embarrassment of riches up front and have one of the most talented midfields in the business.
Uruguayan centre-forward Walter Pandiani, who had returned in confident mood after an impressive loan spell at Mallorca, has already scored three goals this season while fellow striker Albert Luque is also in fine form.
With Juan Carlos Valeron orchestrating affairs from midfield and a miserly back four, Deportivo are one of the few sides who may be able to give Real Madrid a run for their money this season.
Other Matches being played in the Spanish first division this weekend.
Saturday:
ATLETICO MADRID vs. VALENCIA
Despite a host of close season reinforcements Atletico have had a disappointing start to the season and will need to produce a much improved performance if they are to challenge Rafa Benitez's well drilled outfit.
Valencia remain unbeaten, but still have a problem getting the ball in the net and will be hoping that new signing Ricardo Oliveira can open his account at last. Argentine fullback Roberto Ayala is doubtful because of a thigh strain.
BARCELONA vs. OSASUNA
Barca have the look of a much more complete team this season although they have yet to fire on all cylinders. Ronaldinho has produced some exquisite individual skills in all three league matches, but the team are still waiting for strikers Javier Saviola and Patrick Kluivert to hit the target.
Osasuna have begun the season well and took a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win over Atletico last week, although they will have to make do without Australian striker John Aloisi this time out.
Sunday:
MALAGA vs. REAL MADRID
Real have been showered with compliments following their 7-2 thrashing of Valladolid and their eye-catching 4-2 win over Olympique Marseille in the Champions League in midweek. On they should have little problem overcoming a toothless Malaga who have yet to score this term.
Defender Ivan Helguera looks to have recovered from his knee injury but is unlikely to start, while the in-form Raul should be available despite not training with the rest of the team on Thursday.
MURCIA vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO
Athletic notched their first win of the season with a comprehensive 4-0 victory at home to Mallorca last week and with centre forward Ismael Urzaiz and winger Joseba Etxeberria looking to have found their form they should prove too strong for Joaquin Peiro's Murcia.
REAL BETIS vs. RACING SANTANDER
Betis enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win over an out-of-sorts Celta last week but will face a tougher task against a lively Racing who have started the season in promisingly and were unlucky to lose to Real Sociedad last week.
Brazilian international Denilson may find himself on the bench for Betis after a disappointing start to the season but fellow winger Joaquin will be back after serving a one-match suspension.
REAL MALLORCA vs. SEVILLA
Sevilla have already proved that they have retained the competitive edge that served them so well last season and, after two tough matches against Barcelona and Deportivo they will be favourites to claim victory against a below-par Mallorca.
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. REAL ZARAGOZA
Last season's runners-up Sociedad received a double boost this week with a 1-0 win in their Champions League opener against Olympiakos and the return to action of live-wire Turkish forward Nihat Kahveci.
The Basque side have not lost at home since March 2002, but promoted Zaragoza will provide a tough test of that record after a confident 3-0 win over Murcia last week.
VALLADOLID vs. ESPANYOL
Valladolid will be anxious to bounce back after their embarrassing 7-2 humiliation at the Bernabeu last week but will find themselves up against an Espanyol side determined to record their first win of the season.
VILLARREAL vs. CELTA VIGO
Celta look set for a difficult season as they try to juggle the demands of domestic competition and a first participation in the Champions League.
The Galicians have yet to win this term and find themselves pitted against one of the most solid looking outfits in the first division in Benito Floro's Villarreal.