Week 10 - Back from the break
After what feels like the umpteenth international break this season and another disappointing couple of friendlies by the Spanish national team, La Liga resumes with five consecutive matches that will take us to the Christmas break.
The weekend's fixtures look like a decent chance for Barcelona, FIFA virus permitting, to recover some lost ground to leaders Real Madrid, while a couple of managers on the tightrope will fight to save their jobs. While that happens, a few clubs get ready for the upcoming winter transfer window. In summary, plenty of stuff to discuss.
Let's start. Remember, it's '1' for a home win, 'X' for a draw and '2' for an away win.
1. Villarreal (13th) - Betis (12th): 1.
A quick look at the statements from either side during the week should settle the first match of this Quiniela. For instance, Villarreal's Marcos Senna: ''We need to keep our focus and the wins will naturally come''. Or his teammate Mateo Musacchio: ''We need to win this match no matter how''.
While Villarreal sharpen their knives, Betis' awful running streak (six losses and one draw) prompted the Verdiblancos' board advisor, Jose Antonio Bosch, to say that: ''Our trust in (coach) Mel is like a hymen: either you have it or you don't''. On the same day, sports director Vlada Stosic stated that ''Betis won't make any signings in the winter transfer window''. Both quite distasteful jokes. Not sure which one is worse.
2. Barcelona (2nd) - Zaragoza (16th): 1.
Pep Guardiola is rightfully concerned with Lionel Messi's physical condition. After his national team's match in Colombia, the Argentinean declared that ''We are all dead'', and then proceeded to take a not-very-efficient flight combination to arrive in Barcelona almost one whole day later. Couple all that with the jet lag and it's quite likely that Leo won't be at his usual shocking best on Saturday evening, if he plays at all.
Despite the FIFA virus that affects them after international matches, Barcelona enjoy immensely playing at the Nou Camp. Draw against Sevilla aside, the Catalans have won the remaining five home matches by an aggregate 26-0 (yes, you read that right). They'll want to celebrate Messi's eighth year in the top flight, while Zaragoza (four winless matches in a row) hardly look like the type of guest who would spoil the party. Get ready to see a collection of beautiful saves by the visitors' goalie, Roberto.
3. Valencia (3rd) - Real Madrid (1st): 2.
Must-watch match of the weekend. The visitors' usual swagger - some may use a stronger word - reached new heights during the week, as their three-point lead over Barcelona fills the Madridistas with adrenaline. Listen to, for instance, Raul Albiol (''We are currently the best team to watch'') or Cristiano Ronaldo (''If we continue like this, we will win silverware, no doubt'').
It won't be an easy visit to Valencia, though. After a week full of antagonistic public statements, a huge new picture mural with shots of historical moments (and plenty of pictures of Mario Alberto Kempes, of course) in the Mestalla, and even a TV advertisement ('Believe more than ever') from the Valencia camp, anyone can feel their thirst for revenge from last season's 6-3 thrashing.
However, I believe less than ever. Bragging aside, this version of Real Madrid has proven unstoppable playing at the counter in large venues, exactly how the scenery should look like at the Mestalla. Keep an eye on the Karim Benzema/Adil Rami duel, team-mates in the French national team and both in great shape this season.
4. Real Sociedad (20th) - Espanyol (7th): 2.
Things look bleak for Real Sociedad. Bottom of the table, only one point out of the last 27, two starters out (defenders Alberto de la Bella and Inigo Martinez)... Two random predictions: Sergio Garcia will score in Anoeta and Philippe Montanier won't be coaching Real Sociedad on Monday evening.
5. Osasuna (10th) - Rayo Vallecano (8th): X.
Believe it or not, huge entertainment potential at the Reyno de Navarra. Rayo play well away from Vallecas, while Osasuna are undefeated at home. No major absentees from either side - Raul Tamudo should be back with Rayo - points at a non-committal, although very intense 'X'.
6. Sporting de Gijón (17th) - Getafe (14th): 1.
Even if their top scorer David Barral is slightly injured, Sporting look the clear favourites against Getafe, the worst visitors in La Liga (one point in five matches). A home side win would nicely extend their four-match unbeaten run.
7. Sevilla (5th) - Athletic de Bilbao (9th): 1.
Athletic have not won in Sevilla since 1993, and they'll miss two significant absentees at the back, Amorebieta and Ekiza. Even though Sevilla's front line shows some difficulties to score of late, Alvaro Negredo is finally back from injury. Looks like a '1'.
8. Atletico de Madrid (11th) - Levante (4th): X.
The usual assorted bunch of random, borderline surreal news about Atletico. Let's start with this week's self-proclaimed candidate to Gregorio Manzano's position, Diego Simeone, who stated that ''I'm sure that I'll coach Atletico at some point'', right after a half, actually, quarter-hearted, defence of the current manager.
Former Atletico player and 27-year-old Fernando Torres just published his (a tad early) autobiography, claiming: ''I wasn't thinking of writing a book, but the fans asked me for it''. Mallorca's boss Joaquin Caparros declared that he's only seen Atletico's Jose Antonio Reyes do the kind of things that Messi does. While on the Reyes subject, fans chose him over any other player to pair up front with Adrian in a Marca survey, even though boss Manzano has left Reyes out of the squad in the last three matches. This probably tells you that the relationship between coach and supporters could use some love...
But, more importantly, Radamel Falcao is injured, which means Levante's merciless back four should have enough to earn a draw.
9. Granada (19th) - Mallorca (15th): 1.
Scoring issues aside (a huge 'aside', I know), one has to like Granada, vastly improved over the last month and extremely hard to beat at home. The home side will be motivated to dedicate a win to Portuguese midfielder Carlos Martins, whose three-year-old son, in a serious medical condition, desperately needs a bone marrow transplant.
10. Racing de Santander (18th) - Málaga (6th): 2.
If Racing didn't have enough off the pitch issues on their plate, boss Hector Cuper has been called to testify in a match-fixing hearing in Madrid by the Italian justice, exactly when this match will be played on Monday 21.
Despite the surprisingly long recovery of Julio Baptista, Malaga shouldn't waste this chance. Visitors' boss Manuel Pellegrini has a challenge: extract the best out of young talent Isco Roman, always a star performer with Spain's Under-21, and disappointingly subdued with Malaga.
Use this easy 'Copy and Paste' summary to write your own Quiniela and share it with us in the 'Comments' section. If you get 10 correct results, your name will be mentioned in the following Quiniela column!
1. Villarreal (13th) - Betis (12th): 1.
2. Barcelona (2nd) - Zaragoza (16th): 1.
3. Valencia (3rd) - Real Madrid (1st): 2.
4. Real Sociedad (20th) - Espanyol (7th): 2.
5. Osasuna (10th) - Rayo Vallecano (8th): X.
6. Sporting de Gijón (17th) - Getafe (14th): 1.
7. Sevilla (5th) - Athletic de Bilbao (9th): 1.
8. Atletico de Madrid (11th) - Levante (4th): X.
9. Granada (19th) - Mallorca (15th): 1.
10. Racing de Santander (18th) - Málaga (6th): 2.
Last week: 6/10 (60%)
Season: 47/90 (51%)
