Málaga – Atlético Madrid
The first game of 2014 is an intriguing encounter. As we approach the half way point of the 2013/14 campaign, Atlético Madrid have been the most impressive team. They are currently joint top of the league, with Barcelona, on 46 points, having dropped just four points. If there is anything to give Málaga fans a glimmer of hope, it is that all four points have been dropped away from home; losing to Espanyol and drawing at Villarreal. Málaga’s home form isn’t quite in the formidable category, having won four and lost four it can be safely put down as inconsistent. Both teams come into the game on the back of good form. Atlético have won the last five in all competitions and Málaga are unbeaten in their last five, although three of those have been draws. Atlético will want to start this year where they left off as after Málaga they come face to face with Barcelona.
Málaga’s problem this season has been goals. They have managed just 19, whereas Atlético have pummelled in 46. Weighing in with 18 of those has been new Spanish citizen, Diego Costa. In comparison, Málaga’s top goalscorer is Roque Santa Cruz with four. Costa will start for Atlético alongside David Villa in a largely unchanged side. Atlético will be without Raúl García and Gabi Fernández through the accumulation of five yellow cards each, so Diego Simeone is likely to give Spanish starlet Oliver Torres a run-out on the left side of midfield, which will mean that Tiago and Koke will hold fort in the centre of midfield and Arda Turan start on the right side. The only player missing for Málaga is El Hamdaoui who has an injured right knee.
Atlético have already strengthened during the January transfer window, loaning Argentinian attacking midfielder José Sosa until the end of the season from Metalist Kharkiv. Incidently, Málaga were very close to capturing Sosa, only to be out-done by the lure of playing under former Argentinian Diego Simeone.
The last two encounters between these two teams at La Rosaleda have both ended 0-0. I can almost guarantee that this game will have a few goals in there.
Valladolid – Real Betis
The good news for Betis fans is that Rubén Castro has not picked up any injuries during the festive break. He has been missing for almost the whole of the campaign so far and Betis have fully felt the loss of the top striker. After the sacking of Pepe Mel just a few weeks ago, new boss Juan Carlos Garrido must be feeling the enormity of the task before him. Garrido has been in-charge of two league games; a 5-1 thrashing to Real Sociedad and a gut-wrenching 1-0 loss at home to fellow strugglers Almería. As a result, Betis are currently five points adrift of safety. Valladolid are not fairing must better. They have only won three out of 17 this season (Betis have won just two), and they find themselves in the precarious 17th position.
Valladolid are not in great form but do tend to be better at home, beating Celta Vigo 3-0 during their last home game. Both sides want to kick off 2014 in the best possible way and both sides will also fancy their chances which is what makes this game a fascinating one. Javi Guerra has been Valladolid’s goal man this season, bagging 11 already. However, Valladolid have yet to secure his services long term and with his contract coming to an end he is costless to speak to other clubs. He has recently stated though that he has not spoken to any other clubs and that his only thought he helping Valladolid to stay in La Liga. Valladolid have got some negotiating to do however, Guerra is one of nine players whose contracts ends in June 2014.
Betis could have Antonio Amaya back in action after spending a few weeks on the sidelines with a broken jaw. However, there is still a whole host of potential starters out for Betis, including Nigerian midfielder Nosa, who has recently returned to training but will not be considered for this weekend.
With two excellent Spanish forwards on show and a couple of leaky defences we can look forward to a few goals with one side taking this game by the odd goal.
Valencia – Levante
The first city derby of 2014 takes place in the fine city of Valencia. Footballing giants Valencia are currently in a patch of mediocrity. The are sitting 11th in the table with 20 points, the same amount as Levante, who are in 13th. Valencia have only won six out of 17 La Liga matches this season (Levante have won five) and as a result of this less than impressive form, 2014 sees the club start with a new manager: Juan Antonio Pizzi. Pizzi is the former manager of Argentinian outfit, San Lorenzo de Almagro, helping them to secure the leagues Torneo Inicial at the end of 2013. Without taking anything away from Pizzi’s managerial ability, San Lorenzo may have been helped to this title by a little divine intervention as it has been revealed that they are supported by no less than Pope Francis himself. Pizzi does have history with Valencia, having spent the 1993/94 season there as a player. He takes over the reigns from Miroslav Dukic and in doing so he becomes Valencia’s fifth manager in less than two years.
The New Year also starts with a few problems for Levante. They have lost Sergio da Silva for approximately three to four weeks with a thigh tear and David Navarro for three weeks with a strained calf. They also have three players who are out of contract at the end of the season – Pape Diop, Keylor Navas and Rubén García.
The last five encounters between the sides has seen one win each and three draws. There really isn’t much separating the teams, maybe this Saturday we will see one of the teams take the proverbial bull by the horns.
Barcelona – Elche
This game does have the foreboding feeling of a formality written all over it. Barcelona have won all eight home games this season, conceding just six in the process. Elche’s last win in all competitions came back in November and they are currently on a three game losing streak. Not surprisingly,
Elche are not going into this game hoping of too much. Elche defender and former Barca B player, David Lombán, said this week that they will have to play the perfect game to get any points at the Camp Nou. He also said although it is ‘not impossible’; it is ‘very difficult’.
Barcelona are likely to start with Fabregas, Neymar and Pedro up top. Leo Messi is still injured, although he is on the fix and he will probably asking Tata Martino for a starting place. Víctor Valdés looks to have recovered from his injury and he is likely to recapture his number one spot. Whilst speaking to the media, Andrés Iniesta insisted that Barcelona have not got a sneaky eye on the future just on what is immediately in front of them – that is the Barcelona way and Martino will have his men focussed.
Elche have been short of goals, mainly due to injury to front man Manu del Moral. He is on the mend too and is likely to start on the bench. There have been upsets before, so keep an eye on this one.
Game of the Week: Real Sociedad – Athletic Bilbao
Without doubt, the game of the week. This game sees the two Basque giants lock horns in what should be a brilliant battle. Despite Real Sociedad’s early exit from the Champions League they have been going well in the league and are current occupiers of fifth place. Just four points in front of them are the team they face on Sunday – Athletic Bilbao. After a pretty shoddy last season with Marcelo Bielsa, Los Leones are motoring under Ernesto Valverde. Athletic have won 10 out of 17, including an unbeaten run of nine at San Mamés, winning seven of those. However, their away form has not been as impressive, as is usually the case, and they have lost four out of eight and scored just nine goals. Real Sociedad share a similar story, but it is they who have the home advantage this time. They have been miserly at the Anoeta, conceding just seven times – a record only bettered by the two current leaders of La Liga.
We all know when there is a big derby game form tends to go out of the window. Previous encounters lend weight behind La Real who have won the past two, however the three before that all went to Athletic Bilbao. La Real are hoping and praying that Antoine Griezmann will be fit. The Frenchman has set la liga alight this season and has 14 goals in all competitions. He trained with the group on Wednesday but it is unclear whether he will be ready in time. His partnership with Carlos Vela has given La Real a brilliant platform so far this season and they will be hoping that continues into 2014.
Athletic Bilbao on the other hand haven’t had a player they can rely on to get goals. Their current top goalscorer is Mikel San José – who plies his trade as a centre-back. Not exactly what they want. Athletic will be hoping the likes of Iker Muniain, Ander Herrera and Markel Susaeta can find their scoring boots sooner rather than later. The advantage for Athletic is that they come into the game almost completely injury costless; just Kike Sola remains out although he is close to a return.
This Basque derby is set to be an absorbing encounter. Both sides in good form and intent on three points, although the fans are probably favouring a win for local pride. If there is one game you look this weekend, make it this one.
Real Madrid – Celta Vigo
Real Madrid cut their winter short by a couple of days in order to play a money-making friendly in Doha against Paris Saint Germain on Thursday evening. Carlo Ancelotti’s men ran out 1-0 winners thanks to canterano Jese Rodríguez’s 18th minute goal. The 20-year-old Canary Islander has a very bright future ahead of him. He has represented Spain at every level from under-16s to the under-21s; it wont be long until he gets a call-up for the main squad. However, he is unlikely to start on Sunday when Real Madrid take on Celta Vigo at the Estadio Bernabeu. It is no shame for him that he will be making way for a formidable front four of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Isco. Apart from the absences of Fabio Coentrao and Sami Khedira, Los Blancos are at full strength.
Madrid have been impressive at home this season. They have been scoring goals for fun, including five against Real Sociedad, four against Valladolid and seven against Sevilla! Their only slip up came against Atlético Madrid, where they lost 1-0. Celta Vigo, under the guidance of Luis Enrique, have faired much better on the road this season than they have at the Estadio Balaídos. They have won just once in nine tries at home, compared to three in eight away. They might not be fancying their chances at the Bernabeu but they will go their without any fear. Celta’s most impressive victory this season came on the south coast when they hammered five past Málaga. They have also beaten Sevilla away and ran Real Sociedad very close, losing in the end 4-3 no thanks to four goals from Carlos Vela. Celta’s front men, Nolito, Alex López, Rafinha and Charles have all weighed in with goals this season, bagging 16 so far in the league between them.
Despite some good form, Luis Enrique’s team are only one point above the drop zone, whilst Madrid are five points off the front runners. This game has the making to be an exciting encounter, but it is Real Madrid who have the far superior firepower.
Other games taking place on the weekend 4/5 January:
Almería – Granada. Both Andalucian sides have failed to establish themselves in La Liga this season. Almería’s home advantage doesn’t count much for them, whereas Granada have been impressive on the road this season losing just twice in eight. Good chance for Granada to get three more points.
Sevilla – Getafe. 7th plays 8th in this finely poised encounter. Sevilla have been inconsistent but find themselves just off the European pace, whereas Getafe tend to be all or nothing; they have won seven, lost eight and drawn just twice. Sevilla to edge this one for me.
Osasuna – Espanyol. Osasuna have not made a great start to this campaign and find themselves in the relegation zone. Espanyol have been going steady and are unbeaten in the last five in all competitions. Both sides have marksmen who have registered seven goals this season, Oriol Riera for Osasuna and Sergio García for Espanyol. This one will be a close game.
Rayo Vallecano – Villarreal. These two sides have seen their fortunes turn around in recent times. After spending the 2012/13 season in La Segunda, Villarreal have bounced back with vengeance, strung a few good results together and find themselves in sixth place. Rayo on the other hand are slipping and they know it. A solid eighth place finish last season seems like a distant memory and they are now in 19th place. This is another finely poised game with three precious points at stake, I think it will be the likes of Uche and Giovani that will win it for Villarreal.