RSSReal Madrid vs Villarreal – La Liga Match Preview
But with La Liga resuming this weekend, the Spanish giants will prefer to forget about the things that happened in Europe and rather focus on their domestic clash against Villarreal.
Real Madrid – Profit or pretend
Being only two points off Barcelona at a moment where the Catalans are injury-hit, Real Madrid have two options: to profit of the situation, or to become title pretenders.
Profit
Keeping the momentum by extending their outstanding home run record is certainly the key for Los Blancos to keep up the pressure against Barcelona at the top of La Liga standings.
Real Madrid could either clinch the first place or be joint leaders with the Blaugrana if they beat Villarreal on Sunday and if Barca slip at home to Racing Santander a day earlier.
La Liga Preview Match Day 23, February 20-22
Real Madrid emerged from last weekend with a boost to their morale. After all, they scored 3 goals to take 3 points from Xerez that they were expected to get, and Barcelona lost to Atlético and showed that they are not immune to the ravishes of injuries. But Real insists on being immersed in internal conflict and endangered their chances in the Champions by losing 1-0 in an uninspired game; this week they host spoiler Villarreal and Barcelona will reorganize versus a thinly stretched Racing. Atlético, on the other hand, are demanding their share of protagonism in this campaign. They played serious and ambitious matches versus Barcelona and Anderlecht and former Spanish international and Arsenal and Benfica player Reyes has been earning his stripes. This match day is very significant for all teams: the pressure is on for the top clubs to perform in La Liga and Europe, injuries are adding up, and with 16 matches remaining and no secured positions teams are beginning to approach every weekend with the calculator in hand.
Sunday February 21st - Match of the Day!
Real Madrid vs Villarreal – 3:00 PM ET (Santiago Bernabéu)
Watch Real Madrid vs Villarreal Live - Feb 21 @ 15:00 EST
Despite last week’s gain on Barcelona and an improved second half display where Madrid scored 3 goals versus bottom-dweller Xerez, the Merengues are reeling back after a poor display versus Lyon in France in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. Real lost 1-0 on an early second half blast which curved away from a helpless Casillas. Real did not look sharp in midfield, with Kaká, Granero, and Xabi Alonso losing precious balls and failing to connect with forwards Ronaldo, Higuaín, and, later, Benzema. Los blancos relied too heavily on the individual creativity of Ronaldo, who unleashed a couple of long-range shots on goal that were too forced. Most surprisingly was Real’s inability to adjust to Lyon’s press. The French were all over the Madrid midfielders and Real lacked width and change of pace. Against Villarreal, Real will have to demonstrate that the game against Lyon was merely one bad showing. Pellegrini faces his former club and will want to prove that he outgrew the yellow submarine. This is the point of the season where Madrid have had trouble in the last few seasons, as they feel the squeeze from two competitions. Doing well in the league only relieves pressure, but two consecutive duds and Real’s astronomical project could fall back to earth. Two injured stars, Benzema and Guti, will not be present versus Villarreal, but Real have many resources and will not use their absence as an excuse.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool Match Preview
Manchester City’s Patrick Viera is banned for three games following his clash with Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan on Tuesday. Challenged by Whelan from behind, Viera went to ground then appeared to deliberately kick Whelan in the groin. A statement from the club reported that Viera “reluctantly decided not to contest the charge of violent conduct.” Whether Viera’s action was deliberate or not may be questionable. Nevertheless, it was an ugly incident, and Viera deserves the ban.
The Citizens hold the fourth place spot at the moment, having taken over that position as a result of their 1-1 draw with Stoke this week. The Stoke match was one of City’s two games in hand, and although it was a mere share of the points, it comes on the heels of last week’s 2-0 victory over Bolton.
Liverpool meanwhile lost to Arsenal at the weekend, thus positioning themselves for the drop into fifth.
Campeonato Paulista Preview for February 20 and 21
Campeonato Paulista Preview Sunday Matches - February 21, 2010
Palmeiras vs São Paulo FC - 15:00 EST
In a very difficult moment after a 3-0 lose against São Caetano in the last game, score that cost successful Muricy Ramalho the position as a head coach of the team, Palmeiras will have to deal with an environment of uncertainness until its next match against another big opponent like São Paulo FC. In other to overcome this situation under pressure due to some internal problems within Palmeiras´ board of directors, Antonio Carlos who was former player in the club was hired as a new coach, who said in his first public appearance that he would put back to play all the athletes in their right positions in order to improve their performance in the field and to move up from the 8th place in the tournament by virtue of 3 wins, 4 draws and 2 loses. Diego Souza, current striker of the team with five goals in the competition said that what happened before must be left behind and look up ahead to play a consistent game against their traditional opponent.
Sao Paulo´s head coach said that although they will have to play another international game on Wednesday for Copa Libertadores against Once Caldas from Colombia, he will line up his best players for Sunday´s match, he also mentioned that the preparation phase is over and nobody will have a rest. Richarlyson and Dagoberto will be the only ones that will not be able to play as the first one is suspended for one game for a third yellow and the second is injured. Right defender Cicinho consider as a lucky chain against Palmeiras will play again like in old times after his return from AC Roma. He played 5 times in all tournaments against Palmeiras and has in his record 4 wins and only 1 loss. Watch Palmeiras vs Sao Paulo FC Live
English Premier League Preview for February 20 and 21
English Premier League Preview - Saturday’s games
Everton vs. Manchester United
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Everton’s top five pretentions took a serious blow with the loss of Marouane Fellaini for the remainder of the season. The lanky Belgian injured his ankle last week in a challenge with Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Liverpool’s big Greek center-back. Everton is a team with a number of very good midfielders. But manager David Moyes must be concerned over their availability at the moment. Steven Pienaar was sent off in the match against Liverpool and so he will be suspended. Tim Cahill limped off injured in the 2-1 win against Sporting Lisbon midweek, and may be questionable for the match against United. Mikel Arteta, has recently returned to action following a long term injury but he doesn’t appear to be fully match fit yet. Leon Osman should be available, however, as should Landon Donovan. The American is fit and has been in good form, but he is clearly more a play maker than a winner of the ball. Everton will need ball winners against Manchester United. Watch Everton vs Manchester United live
Italy Serie A - Matchday 25 Preview
Much has changed during the last few weeks in the Serie A. Rome, Milan and Internazionale are fiercelessly fighting for the leadership, which will belong to Jose Mourinho's team at least till the end of the month. But only seven points away lurks Francesco Totti and his team, eager to stop Inter from acquiring their fourth consecutive Scudetto. Milan appears to be on a slide downwards, though last week they managed to recover thanks to Ronaldinho's magic. The fight at the bottom has become restless, and seven teams are trapped in the battle for the category. With the major teams competing for Copa Italia and Champions, will they be able to stay focus on the fight for the title?
Barcelona vs Racing Santander - La Liga Match Preview
Barcelona – Recovery and preparation
Barcelona suffered their first league defeat at the Estadio Vicente Calderon last weekend; thus, their 5-point lead at the top ahead of rivals Real Madrid was reduced to only 2 points. A win at home against Racing Santander might not restore or widen the gap between them and Los Blancos, but at least, it will prevent Real from getting any closer to them.
This game will be of high importance for the Barca players – who will be travelling to Stuttgart in mid-week to face the German giants in the UEFA Champions League. The outcome of this league encounter against Santander will definitely have an impact on the Blaugrana next Tuesday, as the Catalans look to avoid any injuries, or suspensions.
Everton vs. Manchester United Match Preview
Everton’s top five pretentions have taken a serious blow with the loss of Marouane Fellaini for the remainder of the season. The lanky Belgian injured his ankle last week in a challenge with Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Liverpool’s big Greek center-back.
Kyrgiakos was red carded for the incident, the referee judging that the Liverpool man had gone into the challenge two-footed. Yet, although replays show the challenge was an awkward one, it didn’t look malicious. Fellaini’s response, on the other hand, looked decidedly mean-spirited. He appeared to stamp on the Greek defender and in so doing injured his ankle. The red card could have gone Fellaini’s way. And perhaps should have! Whatever his intent, the Belgian is now out for the season.
Argentina's Clausura Preview - Matchday 5
After this week the first quarter of the tournament will be over, and the positions table is showing the fight for the top will be fierceless. Friday will face Velez, Independiente and Colon in important matches, leaving one of them experiencing the top if only for a few days. With the Libertadores going on, many teams will give their top players a chance to rest, but such decision might backfire, as with fifteen points in play, every single one is of utmost importance. Boca Juniors and River Plate remain hidden another time, but shall their coaches' strategies work right, they might jump into the top fight at any moment.
Friday 19th, February 2010
Chacarita vs Colón 2:00 PM EST
This week will begin with a clash between two solid candidates for the top, and the winner will experience the solitude of the first place if only for a few hours. In spite of being compromised in the fight for the category the Sabaleros now have a chance to climb for the top facing a direct rival. Facundo Parra, Mariano Echeverría y Lisandro López each converted two goals for the Tricolores, and thanks to such a solid offensive it seems bottom days are over for Fernando Gamboa and his players.
Battle for fourth as Man City host Liverpool Sunday.
TORONTO (February 18, 2010) – Always dangerous Everton hosts second place Manchester United Saturday, February 20 at 7:45 a.m. ET/ 4:45 a.m. PT in the first of five live Barclays Premier League matches this weekend on Setanta Sports.
Another top team is featured in match 2 Saturday, February 20 at 9:45 a.m. ET/ 6:45 a.m. PT when third place Arsenal takes on Sunderland at Emirates Stadium in London.
The third and final live match Saturday on Setanta features relegation threatened Portsmouth at their home ground Fratton Park taking on Stoke City at 12:30 p.m. ET/ 9:30 a.m. PT.
Live Premier League action on Setanta resumes Sunday, February 21 at 7 a.m. ET/ 4 a.m. PT when Bolton, another club in the race to avoid relegation, visits Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers.
The live English weekend football feast on Setanta concludes Sunday, February 21 at 10 a.m. ET/ 7 a.m. PT with a compelling clash between Manchester City and Liverpool at The City of Manchester Stadium.
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