18/09/2004
Preview: Barcelona to Madrid, Madrid to Barcelona

MADRID Sep 17 (SW) – In La Liga this weekend Real Madrid will be in Barcelona as Barcelona visit Madrid. The Spanish Giants play in each other’s city this weekend against the local rivals. Espanyol will host Real while Barça takes on the other Madrid, Athletico.

Athletico Madrid vs FC Barcelona

Barcelona arrive in the nation’s capital in sparkling form and full of confidence. Ronaldinho, returning for his first game of the season alongside Deco, Guily and Eto’o put on an impressive first half display in the 3-1 Champions League win at Celtic on Wednesday. Barça have done pretty well in the league even without the Brazilian winning both opening games including a 2-0 win over Seville last week.

Athletico have started well also, a 2-0 away win, last week against Albecete kept their 100% record intact and gives them a share of first place in the table with Barcelona. Fernando Torres, a target of Chelsea and Man U amongst others, is in good form, the 20 year-old striker has scored in both games while at the other end Leo Franca can boast of two clean sheets.

Espanyol vs Real Madrid

Questions are already being asked about coach Camacho three games in to the season. The 3-0 defeat to a rampant Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday followed a couple of less than convincing 1-0 victories in the league, the second of which was against newly promoted Numancia. There are suggestions that Raul may be dropped in favour of Michael Owen as the captain has scored a mere eight goals since the start of the year, this is unlikely as Real will be missing Zidane, Figo and Woodgate who are all injured. Solari, Guti and Pavon will deputise.

Espanyol have started well and lie 4th in the league with four points thanks to a 4-1 away win at Betis last week. They have the chance to top the league briefly with a win in this fixture though they have a poor record against Real and lost this fixture 2-4 last year. They will be keen keep to keep their good start going and accumulate as many points as early as possible to avoid being dragged in to the relegation dogfight they were involved in last year.

Valencia vs Real Sociadad

A 2-2 draw against Bilbao last week was followed by a far more impressive 2-0 win over Anderlecht in the Champions League. Valencia with a solid start to the season, sit in eighth place on goal difference with 4pts from the opening two games.

Former Rangers midfielder, Mikel Arteta has been complaining about his experience of Spanish football: “I did not really participate in the game,” he said, adding that he felt he is not playing in the correct position. His team Real Sociadad had picked up a 0-0 draw at Villareal, their second draw of the season.

Athletico Bilbao vs Deportivo La Coruna

Following a 1-3 home defeat to Osasuna last weekend Deportivo are languishing in 15th place with a solitary point with Mauro silva, Duscher and victor Valdez injured, things are not looking good for the trip to fellow strugglers, Bilbao. Depor have been linked with a move for Wolfsburg’s Argentine midfielder D’Allesandro in recent days.

Two games and two draws for Bilbao, after a tough 3-2 defeat by Trabzonspor in Turkey on Wednesday, they fought back from 3-0 down, they will want to get their season kick started with a win against Deportivo

Seville vs Levante

Sitting pretty on 4pts courtesy of a 3-1 win over Racing Santander last week La Liga’s new boys are beginning to draw some attention, they currently place behind the two Madrid and two Barcelona clubs.

Seville may have begun a bit of a recovery, the loss to Barça 2-0 in the league was successfully put behind them as they beat Nacional 2-0 in the UEFA cup on Thursday and they will want to continue that form into this game.

This weekend's La Liga fixtures
All times are Sunday 17:30 CET unless noted

Osasuna vs Real Betis, Saturday 18:00 CET
Espanyol vs Real Madrid, Saturday 20:00 CET
Valencia vs Real Sociedad, Saturday 22:00 CET
Mallorca vs Malaga
Numancia vs Getafe
Racing Santander vs Villarreal
Sevilla vs Levante
Zaragoza vs Albacete
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona, Sunday 19:30 CET
Athletic Bilbao vs Deportivo La Coruna, Sunday 21:30 CET

18.09.2004 21:59 +0400
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