Last week's match day 19 brought the end of the first half of La Liga, and the perspective at this point looks rather monistic. With an undefeated Barcelona experiencing the solitude of the top, Valencia has become the solid third alternative for the title. But they'll be facing a direct rival to retain their position on a match against a newly recovered Luis Fabiano hungry for glory.
Saturday January 30th, 2010 - La Liga Match Previews
Sporting Gijón vs Barcelona - 2:00 PM EST
Last week triumph brought much to Blaugrana's fans. They've finally left the Real Madrid eight points below them, holding the top for at least three weeks more, but Messi also obtained the rank of Pichichi of the league, having scored his thirteenth goal to sentence the 3-0 against Valladolid. Not only that, Its been 19 matches for the Barcelona without tasting the bitterness of a defeat, consolidating the best streak in their history. With Dani Alves going through its best moment in the league (he made a goal and an assistance to get the 2-0 last week) the offensive capabilities of Pep Guardiola's team are something to fear. Last two matches away their returned home with five and three goals, respectively, and their own goal undefeated, and it's hard to imagine such a streak might change its course.
Sporting Gijon will have a test of fire against the Barcelona. They've lost their two last matches, and another week without points might take them to the lower half of the positions table. Last week they showed they could achieve victory, but their inconsistence rendered them hopeless. Team's coach Manuel Preciado, confessed its team lacked both luck and decision to obtain a victory, and such indetermination will be even stronger against the Barcelona, so he'll have to show its players a way to succeed if things are going to change this week. Watch Sporting vs Barcelona Live
Espanyol vs Bilbao - 12:00 PM EST
This week will begin with a match against two teams struggling against their own fate. Espanyol has obtained good results on their last weeks home, and so the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat has become a mecca for the Periquitos. Such results took them off the bottom, and they count such a luck will stick with them if they managed to retain the same level. With new blood running through the team (with Jordi Amat's last week debut) it seems they have another shot to climb higher on the tournament.
After last week disastrous match against Deportivo, Atletic Bilbao had to see how the top got three points further, being now standing at the eight position. Last week referee decisions made Leones' fans angry, as they claimed they had the match on their hands. But their doom was not Turienzo's judgement but their lack of effectiveness to score. A victory might take them to the top five at least for a few hours, and they have to take advantage of such an opportunity. Watch Espanyol vs Bilbao Live
Deportivo vs Real Madrid - 4:00 PM EST
The Merengues are under the wing of a two-faced Cristiano Ronaldo. He scored the only two goals on the match that provided its team with a victory, but also showed the worst of him, fighting for a ball he broke Mitiliga's nose, being automatically red-carded by referee Pérez Lasa. The galactics had been unable to return to their home with a victory at the Riazor in more than ten years, and this time they'll be without their two main offensive weapons, Higuan and Ronaldo. Benzema hasn't been able to become who he once was, and most of Pellegrino's hopes seem to be around him. Of their two last matches home, Real Madrid has only obtained one point.
Deportivo obtained a very important victory against the Athletic last week which took them to the fifth position. They've had good luck against the Real home, and if they succeed on fighting the galactics then the podium will get closer for the Herculeans. For the first time an absence will be something to celebrate for the Depor, as last game first goal of Filipe Luis came with a situation on which the player could have lose its leg due to the risk of one of his arteries being compromised on his injury. He won't return to the fields in the whole tournament, however. So Miguel Angel Lotina will have only a few days to find the way to pose a threat to their rivals at the Riazor. Watch Deportivo vs Real Madrid Live
Sunday January 31st, 2010 La Liga Match Previews
Xerez vs Mallorca - 11:00 AM EST
Things have been difficult for the Xerez along the tournament, but now the situation is critical. They're only 9 points away from a direct ticket to relegation, and with only half of the matches played, it means it's time for the Xerecistas to start showing things can change. Team's new coach, Pipo Gorosito, seems unable to find a turn around, so it'll be now time to break the spell home and obtained a much needed victory for the Xerez.
Being unable to return home with a victory in many weeks comes the Mallorca, who will recover for this week most of their offensive. They know they have the odds on their favor against such a decaying Xerez, but they haven't shown the best of their football either. A victory can feed the team with the hope of fighting for the title, and so they'll travel to Andalucia thirsty of glory. Watch Xerez vs Mallorca Live
Valladolid vs Almeria - 11:00 AM EST
Valladolid suffered last week Barcelona's anger being unable to pose any real challenge to the Blaugrana. They are only escaping from the relegation zone by goal difference, but they'll need to hurt the Almeria if they don't want to be fighting at the bottom. Having scored only one goal in the last four matches, Mendilibar's team will need to make some changes on its offensive if the category means anything for them.
On a similar position is the Almeria, just one point above their rivals and under the reach of the cold hand of relegation. It's been the first time Juanma Lillo had to taste defeat in front of the Almeria, so it's to hope that such an experience will strengthen UD Almeria's performance on the field. They've had their worst time while playing away, so probably some defensive modifications will be in order for such an important match. Watch Valladolid vs Almeria Live
Getafe vs Racing Santander - 11:00 AM EST
As FC Barcelona, Getafe has also ended the first half of the tournament with their best performance ever. Last week they returned home after two weeks playing away, and so they returned to victory. The atletico was unable to pose any danger to Codina and Manu took the opportunity to provide its team three very important points to keep fighting for the top. Team's coach publicly declared their boys have made themselves man after last week match, so let's see if they can keep on their growth on another match home.
With 10 of the last 12 possible points comes the Racing, who has managed to escape from relegation, now six points away. Thanks to Coltorti they managed to keep their goal undefeated, and so their warm offensive was enough to obtain a victory. With Canales as the team most shinning start, let's see if they can dazzle their rivals. Watch Getafe vs Racing Santander Live
Villarreal vs Osasuna - 11:00 AM EST
It seems the Almeria got the opportunity last week to vent their anger away, as the four cries of happiness against the Zaragoza pose a chance to breath an air less rarified after the elimination from the Copa del Rey. They had an easy time against the team who received most goals in the tournament, but they knew how to take advantage of such situation. They have reached the upper half of the table, and despite being unable to climb more on this week, a victory will secure such a position for the following weeks.
With two victories on their back and knowing that a new one might take them to the ninth position, the Rojillos know that have to take advantage of the energy they have unleashed last weeks. Despite suffering till the last seven minutes, they managed to return home with a much needed victory, having shown their fans they have something to dream for. Under the wing of Juanfran they have proven their offensive can be a lethal weapon, so the Villareal might become a slaughterhouse if El Sumbarino Amarillo can't watch after himself. Watch Villarreal vs Osasuna Live
Tenerife vs Zaragoza - 11:00 AM EST
A relegation battle will take place this week at Tenerife, where two wounded teams will need to feed on each other's misery if one of them is to be saved. Having obtained only two of the last fifteen points, the Zaragoza seems helpless on this tournament, their offensive is lacking as much as their defense, and last week's defeats became a blow hard to recover from. They'll face this week a direct rival on the battle for the category, and a victory will take them just one point away from the relegation zone.
For the Tenerife the situation is similar. A defeat will surely put them on the relegation battle for a few weeks more, as much as a victory can provide them with a gaze of what it is not to be trapped at the basement. They have the opportunity to strike a Zaragoza yet unable to stand up. It's been more than five matches since the Insulares last won a match, and they have their best shot this week. It is up to them not to let such an opportunity to slip away. Watch Tenerife vs Zaragoza Live
Atletico Madrid vs Málaga - 1:00 PM EST
Last week the Colchonero's momentum of unstoppable victory finally reached an end. Despite having recovered their two best strikers, Aguero and Forlan, the Atletico was unable to take the ball under their control and feed the two latins with real dangerous opportunities. Their key player not to return home with a worst result was their goalkeeper, and they have much to improve on their midfield playing, as they were unable to recover the ball last week and having to recur to faults to stop Getafe's momentum.
They will face Galatasaray AŞ for the Europa League, so it is yet to see if they will be able to face both matches with their best players, or if the league will be relegated to the hunger of a title.
At the gates of relegation stands Malaga Cf, being forced to win this match if they don't want to be sank to the bottom fight. Last week they lost their streak of four undefeated, and so now they'll have to travel to Madrid with their wounds still open. If they manage to return home with a victory, then the upper half of the table might not stand so further for the Boquerones. Watch Atletico Madrid vs Malaga Live
Sevilla vs Valencia - 3:00 PM EST
This week will end with a match that will decide the future of the league, as both teams are still on the fight for the title and had gone the last weeks battling with each other to obtain the title of "alternative" to the giants on the league. Such honor is now being held by the Che, despite last week draw against the Tenerife and the bitter taste of what could have been. Villa seems to be either confused or lost, and has now lost the top striker position. Things could have been worse if it weren't for Valencia's goalkeeper, César, who has been a key player for the Murcielagos along the tournament. Unai Emery will have to think this game through, as they'll be facing a direct rival at the top.
Just six points below Valencia CF are the Palanganas, who has finally broken the spell of four consecutive defeats and is now determined to keep on advancing on the tournament. Team's coach, Manolo Jimenez has had a rough beginning of a year, but he needs to take advantage of the renewing winds that are now blowing in Andalusia. A victory will take them just three points from the third position. With Luis Fabiano back on the fields, the striker might bring its team the firepower they've been lacking. Watch Sevilla vs Valencia Live
