Once again, all eyes in Spain are going to be on Real Madrid and Barcelona, who have been drawn against one another in the upcoming Copa del Rey quarterfinals, which begin next week at the Bernabeu.
Before then, however, another round of action in Liga awaits this weekend, and a chance for the Madridlenos to maintain, or, like a week ago, perhaps extend their lead atop the domestic table.
And the first of our two Liga matches to preview this week indeed involves high-flying Real Madrid, which jets out into the Mediterranean Sea this week for a Saturday visit to the cozy San Moix and a battle vs. host Real Mallorca. A check of European wagering outlets finds the underdog Islanders quoted at a pricey 10/1 for a win, with a Real Madrid win priced at a prohibitive 2/7. The draw, priced at 4/1, offers some intrigue.
Kickoff will be at 2:00 p.m. (ET) in the states, with coverage provided by ESPN3.
With the Liga race evolving, as usual, into a two-team affair between Real Madrid and Barcelona, it behooves each side to secure maximum points each outing. With the other side likely winning, draws are almost as bad as a loss. Indeed, Barca found that out last weekend when held level at 1-1 vs. crosstown Espanyol, losing two points to Los Blancos in the table.
Real Madrid now enters this weekend on 43 points, five points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table, and will continue to be in fine shape in the chase for domestic honors as long as it keeps picking up three points in every outing.
It doesn’t figure to be especially to do so vs. Mallorca, languishing in the mid-table logjam and on 19 points. Although only six points from a European spot, the Islanders are also just three points from the drop zone. And salvaging even a point from Real Madrid’s visit would be viewed as a moral victory for Mallorca.
The San Moix side, however, is not constructed to prevail in any shootouts, having scored only 15 goals in 18 matches thus far. To have a chance, veteran Israeli GK Dudo Aouate must be especially sharp, while countryman Tomer Hemed, who has been effective as a super-sub on five goals in just nine appearances, is also probably going to have to get involved in the action.
Trading goals with Real Madrid, however, is not a recommended course of action. Los Blancos boast of three double-digit goal scorers (Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema) in Liga play, and even if Jose Mourinho decides to rest a few regulars in preparation for Cup duties vs. Barca, there is plenty of available firepower on the reserve’s bench. Mallorca gets in further trouble if it must chase the game.
The hope for the Island side is that Real Madrid comes out flat, with one eye on the upcoming Barcelona match, which might allow Mallorca to close up shop and simply absorb the pressure. Any other scenario likely invites doom for the hosts.
A more competitive battle looms on Sunday at the colorful Estadio Vicente Calderon, on the banks of the meandering Manzanares, in Madrid where host Atletico looks to get its European push in gear against struggling visitor Villarreal.
Kickoff time at the Calderon will be early at 6:00 a.m. (ET) on Sunday, with coverage in the states provided by ESPN3. A check of European wagering shops finds an Atletico win priced at 4/6, with the take-back on Villarreal at 4/1. The draw looks to offer a tasty alternative at 4/1.
Indeed, there probably hasn’t been a more disappointing entry in Spain, if not all of Europe, than Villarreal, which crashed out of the Champions League group phase in spectacular fashion in becoming the first Spanish side to lose all six of its group matches. Domestic form hasn’t been much better, with a humiliating exit in the Copa del Rey courtesy third-division Mirandes in late December costing manager Juan Garrido his job.
Moreover, Villarreal currently sit in the Liga drop zone on a mere 16 points, putting it 18th in the domestic table entering the Calderon.
The Yellow Submarine is hoping to revive itself behind new manager Jose Molina, who happened to have spent several years at Atleti’s goalkeeper during a briefly glorious run at the Calderon in the mid ‘90s. Villarreal showed some life in Molina’s first match in charge when leveling with third-place Valencia, 2-2.
Still, the Yellow Submarine is winless in nine Liga road matches this terms, with only three draws and three goals to its credit in those matches. The inability of Brazilian striker Nilmar (just two goals) to find the net has been an ongoing concern, although young striker Marco Ruben has five goals and played with some flair. Veteran midfield pilot Marcos Senna is still effective but has lost a step at 35 years of age.
Atleti has its own new manager in former star and Argentinian international Diego Simeone, famously known as the player David Beckham kicked at the 1998 World Cup. Simeone replaced Gregorio Manzano in late December.
Atleti are also in that mid-table logjam, sitting 11th on 20 points, just five points from a European spot next term but also not clear of relegation worries, either, just four points away from the drop zone. Los Rojiblancos have leaked too many goals this term (27, ranking as one the most permissive Liga defenses).
Atleti, however, have displayed more firepower than Villarreal thanks largely to Colombia striker Falcao, sitting on an impressive nine goals this term.