This week will bring us one stop closer to a real look of what will be. Saturday will face the most popular teams and might bring some changes to the top. January seems to be a month that will give bring much changes to la Liga.
Saturday, January 16
Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid 2:00 PM EST
The athletic has been having problems the last few matches, suffering its inconsistence but still in top ten. Not even a loss will take them below the middle of the table, but such a result would bury their dreams for the title, stepping more then 16 points below Barcelona. Athletic's Goalkeeper, Iraizoz, said the main weapon of his team for this match will be the counter-attack, so It'll probably be a game with a lot of offensives as it seems.
As last week results made no changes at the top of the position table, the Merengues will have to prove they can fight for the title even without Gonzalo Higuain, who has provided the team with the last victories, converting 11 goals in the last 10 matches. After a remarkable match against the Mallorca (converting a goal and making the assistance to secure the game) the Argentinean scorer was diagnosed with a left foot injury, which will be keeping him out of the fields for at least a month. It will be good news for Karim Benzema, but will he take advantage of this opportunity to recover its place in the team and take the Madrid to the top? The athletic knows every point matters, and particularly facing one of the giants. It's time to show if the lions have the fierce hunger it takes to fight for the top. Watch Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid Live
Barcelona v Sevilla 4:00 PM EST
The last game of the Saturday will set a mark for the future of the league. The champion comes to this match after a feast in the Canary Islands. With Messi as the new Pichichi of the league, and Xavi having been named Player of the Year by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics, it will be another chance for the Barcelona to show their fans what they are capable of. The Blaugrana has always obtained points during the last months, and they know the Sevilla will be desperate for a triumph, so it's likely to see Pep Guardiola's team take advantage of that. The recent elimination from the Copa del Rey will probably turn this match into a personal matter for Barcelona's players.
The Sevilla is going through a tough moment, having lost the last 3 games by the same result, 2 to 1. It'll be a tough match at the Camp Nou for Manolo Jimenez team, as they still haven't found a replacement for Luis Fabiano, and it will be highly unlikely that situation may change against the team that has less goals conceded in the tournament. The Barcelona will play knowing whether a victory will be mandatory or not, but if they show the same football level they've been showing, the sevillistas will have to stand against the strikes of a giant playing home. Watch Barcelona vs Sevilla Live
Osasuna v Espanyol 12:00 PM EST
This week will begin with a match between two teams on the quest to stay in the first division. The Osasuna has been unable to win since last november, and the bottom position is staring to become a possibility for the little red ones, another loss and they'll be in the relegation zone. For this match they'll count with the absence of Nekounam, who received a red card on minute 65 against Deportivo.
The Espanyol has obtained a very important victory against the Zaragoza, but they know they can't spare any points if they want to escape from the bottom. Fernando Marquez will play his second match in two months, and he has proven he has what the Espanyol need to keep on adding up. Pochetino said his team has found "a path to follow" so let's hope they not get disorientated while playing away. Watch Osasuna vs Espanyol Live
Sunday, January 17
Málaga v Getafe 11:00 AM EST
Having suffered a loss in Bilbao that broke Getafe's winning streak, El Geta has a chance to jump back in the fight for the title this week. They'll need the sheer efectiveness of Roberto Soldado, who was a shadow in the last match, and thus has let his team unable to score. Getafe has lost the last three matches away, so the Azulones know they'll have to put their best in this match.
The Malaga is going through an awkward stage. Despite they haven't lost a single match in eight rounds, they're still on the relegation zone, having obtained only two victories in the whole tournament. It'll be a must-win match for the Malaga, as their fans are becoming a little tired of the drawings and claim for something different. Watch Malaga vs Getafe Live
Racing Santander v Valladolid 11:00 AM EST
The Racing comes to this match with two consecutive wins on their back. Of the last 15 possible points they have obtained 12, which have allowed them to escape from the bottom of the table. However, they know they must obtain every point possible if they don't want to be involved again in the relegation nightmare. Last week they surprised everyone leaving Andalucia with 3 points, letting Canales taste the glory by scoring the 2 goals. Portugal seems to know what he's doing with his team, and apparently the Verdiblancos know which language he speaks on.
Last week has been terrifying for José Mendilibar's team. Their shameful presentation home against the Atlético raised as much doubts as worries in Valladolid. If they don't make it against the racing, they'll be facing Relegation. Unlike its rival, Valladolid is coming to this match with two consecutive losses, and they've been unable to get 3 points away since last November, so it'll be a priority for the Pucela to break the spell they've been under and start climbing out of the reach of Relegation. Watch Racing Santander vs Valladolid Live
Almería v Tenerife 11:00 AM EST
Last week Tenerife suffered a slaughter back home. The first half hour it seemed the Chicharreros had the match under their control, but suddenly it got out of their hands. Tenerife has only obtained one point of the last 12, and that is the reason why they're only one point away from the relegation zone. A victory against Almeria will allow the Insulares to Leapfrog them on the position's table, taking some fresh air out of the basement.
As much as the Tenerife needs to win this match to escape from the bottom, Juan Manuel Lillo still has to prove he can take the reins of his team. Having obtained four points in the two matches they've played, the new manager has been a relief for the Almeria, providing such needed points that placed them 3 points over the relegation line. However such advantage could disappear if they conceded anything to such a direct rival, so we'll be hoping for a match where both teams will hold a knife between their teeth. www.livesoccertv.com/match/84723/almeria-vs-cd-tenerife/
Zaragoza vs Xerez 11:00 AM EST
This basement fight that will take place in Zaragoza will probably decide the future of the bottom of the league. Zaragoza had to see their hopes shattered last week at Catalunya. They had dreamed on wings of change with Carrizo's return, providing some safety to their area. However, the Argentinean goalkeeper had responsibility on the two goals he received. They have conceded 14 goals in the last 5 matches, scoring only 3 and only been able to obtain a draw A victory against the Xerez will pose the opportunity to recover their path. Only a victory will take the Maños out of the relegation zone (provided Tenerife won't obtain 3 points in Almeria) and they know it. It's one of the last chances for them to show they belong to the Liga.
Antonio Poyatos will be taking the lead on the Xerez, after their manager, José Ángel Ziganda was given the sack, being held responsible for the bad results its team been obtaining. Seven points is all the Xerecistas could take during the tournament, and six points are taking them below Zaragoza. Conceding 3 points to the blanquillos will almost ensure relegation. Whatever happens in this match will surely set the grounds for every team involved in Relegation. Watch Zaragoza vs Xerez Live
Mallorca vs Deportivo La Coruña 11:00 AM EST
Another important match will take place this Sunday. Both teams are chasing Barcelona's tail, and a draw will only sink them still far away from the Blaugranas. The Mallorca, under the guidance of Manzano (Which will this week become the manager who spent most matches in front of the Mallorca) have obtained good results on their last matches home. Last week pose a difficult test for the Barralets, as the Real Madrid showed no mercy and took them 3 points further from the top. Asecond loss against its rival will bury any hope for the title. As long as Aduriz keeps on scoring, its possible the Ensaimada Mecánica will turn into a Headache for the Deportivo.
The Deportivo had begun the year on a difficult path, but they seem to have find a new route last week against the Osasuna, feeding their dreams for the Champions. After three draws in a row, the blanquiazules were able to cry victory at least. A victory will take them only 1 point below Sevilla. To scrap top-three might be just what the Herculeans are in need of to raise as a titan. Watch Mallorca vs Deportivo Live
Atletico Madrid v Sporting Gijón 1:00 PM EST
Hope if flourishing in Madrid. Before the last result against Valladolid, The atletico has recovered its offensive under the wing of Aguero, and so the Colchoneros still wish to move on to the next stage on the Copa del Rey, despite being defeated by the Recreativo Huelva for 3-0. But that's not all that shines in the Atlético's future. They have just acquired Eduardo Salvio, a 19 year-old argentinean striker who has proven to be a key-player for Club Atletico Lanus. Maybe this will fill the empty Maxi Rodriguez will leave when going to Liverpool in a few weeks, coupled with the recent reinforcement of Tiago, from the Juventus. So there'll be renewing winds on Madrid while waiting for the Sporting, on a season that begun hard as stone for them, but now are only a victory away from top ten.
The sporting has seen victory last week after a long time, and so they want to begin their own winning streak, maybe nourishing from stopping Getafe's fifth win in a row. Last week most valuable player for the Rojiblancos has been its goalkeeper, Juan Pablo, so it'll be key Sporting's man between the posts proves its nature once again this week. Watch Atletico Madrid vs Sporting Gijon Live
Valencia v Villarreal 3:00 PM EST
Last week victory made the Valencia glow, despite Villa's inability to score (thus having to share the top-scoring possition with Lio Messi). Such a triumph allowed them to obtain the third position in the tournament, in spite of suffering a dramatic defeat against the Depor for the Copa del Rey. After two wins in a row the Murcielagos still have to prove they are the alternative for the giants in La Liga. If this week is successful for the Valencia then some surprises may abound the Mestalla.
It's been a harsh beginning of a year for the Submarino Amarillo, as their last streak of three victories in a row has been shadowed by two consecutive draws. Nilmar has been the key offensive player for the Villareal, though one player can never be enough to raise a team. If their luck cannot change, then relegation will start o become a reality, as a loss will leave them five points away from the bottom. For the Villlreal it'll be noticieable the absence of Javi Venta, who's suffering of a problem on its right foot. Both teams can't leave Valencia with anything but a victory, so it'll be a match anything but boring to end this week. Watch Valencia vs Villarreal Live
