The Real deal: Madrid faces Betis
In the lone Saturday match in La Liga play, Real Madrid will face-off against Real Betis in a contest where the Whites enter with seven points and the home team just three.
In the lone Saturday match in La Liga play, Real Madrid will face-off against Real Betis in a contest where the Whites enter with seven points and the home team just three.
Betis returns home following a 3-2 loss to Sevilla, who remains tied for first with Barcelona.
Madrid comes off a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad and striker Ruud van Nistelrooy leads his squad with three goals on the season, which is tied for second in the league.
A win could catapult Madrid up in the standings, pending Sunday's results.
"We are up against a well-coached team," manager Fabio Capello told the club's website. "The coach is very knowledgeable and he has good, fast players."
"We have to continue improving with each game we play."
Roberto Carlos, Raul and Salgado practiced Friday in hopes of seeing the field this weekend for Madrid, as all three have been dealing with injuries as of late.
However, the return of Ronaldo has not yet been determined.
"He is working well and we are very happy with his progress," Capello said. "His knee isn't giving him any problems, but he has to lose a little more weight."
In other La Liga play: On Sunday, Mallorca strives for its first win of the season when Espanyol visits; Zaragoza looks to improve on its mark with a win over Villarreal; Deportivo hope to keep its unbeaten streak alive when it tra to Levante; Real Sociedad hosts Reacreativo with hopes of postings its first wi of the season; Sevilla claimed its tenth goal of the year last weekend and travels to Atletico in search of more; Getafe welcomes in Athletic after suffering its first loss of season, 2-0 to Valencia, last Sunday; Valencia striker David Villa scored three times against Barcelona last season and may start on the bench due to an ankle injury when his squad takes on the defending champion; Racing looks for its first points against Tarragona; Osasuna and Celta have the same amount of points going into their meeting, and the two are only separated by goal differential.
LA LIGA WEEKEND FIXTURES
SATURDAY:
Betis - Real Madrid
SUNDAY:
Mallorca - Espanyol
Villarreal - Zaragoza
Levante - Deportivo
Real Sociedad - Recreativo
Atletico - Sevilla
Getafe - Athletic
Barcelona - Valencia
Tarragona - Racing
Celta - Osasuna