RSS
ATOM
advertisement
La Liga Preview: Racing Santander - Xerez
Los Racinguistas will expect three points against los Xerecistas, who are rooted to the bottom of the league and going nowhere fast...
| Bet: | Returns: | Racing £36.00 | Draw £34.00 | Atl. Madrid £20.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Racing £36.00 | Draw £32.50 | Atl. Madrid £21.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Racing £36.00 | Draw £33.00 | Atl. Madrid £20.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Racing £37.50 | Draw £34.00 | Atl. Madrid £20.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Racing £34.50 | Draw £32.00 | Atl. Madrid £20.10 |
|
Dec 11, 2009 2:15:10 PM
Kick-Off: Sunday, December 13, 2009. 17:00 CET
El Sardinero, Santander
El Sardinero, Santander
Pick Off The Minnows
Although Racing Santander have not been revolutionised by the decision to part company with coach Juan Carlos Mandia, there have been slow signs of improvement under Miguel Angel Portugal, who started with something of a baptism of fire against former club Real Madrid.
Unsurprisingly his debut ended in defeat, though los Verdiblancos would only go down 1-0 at the Bernabeu, a similar result to the one they achieved at home against Deportivo La Coruna the following week.
Such losses could be considered acceptable given the stature of the opposition, so Portugal’s first real test came last weekend against Espanyol. Racing responded wonderfully, cruising to an easy 4-0 victory, although it has to be said that their success could be at least partly attributed to the sheer ineptitude of their opponents.
Nevertheless, los Racinguistas' first win since week three of the season – only their second of the league campaign – was wholly welcomed and will have gone some way to boosting confidence within the ranks. A follow up success against Xerez, one of only two sides below the Cantabrian side in the rankings, may well help the hosts to spend Christmas outside the drop zone.
Must-Win
Life amongst the big boys was always likely to prove difficult for the Segunda Division champions, but they would have hoped to be enjoying a better league position by this semi-advanced stage of the campaign. At the very least they would have wanted to be off bottom spot.
But Xerez are rooted to the foot of La Primera, having picked up just one solitary win in their 14 matches to date. The statistics get even worse when it is considered that they have only scored four times all season, conceding 25 in the process – the worst goals for record in the league and the second worst goals against tally.
If los Xerecistas are to boast any hopes of remaining in the top flight for more than one season then success against the teams around them in the table is absolutely imperative. A great deal is already riding on Sunday’s encounter, but their recent form is bleak.
Only one goal has been scored in their last seven matches, during which time the Andalusian side have mustered just a pair of scoreless draws from which to take solace.
Meanwhile, talk of a takeover involving former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster looms. He has promised to invest €3 million in the side over the winter and sack coach Jose Angel Ziganda should he successfully take charge.
FORM GUIDE
Racing
WON 4-1 (a) Espanyol (La Liga, December 6)
LOSS 1-0 (h) Deportivo La Coruna (La Liga, November 29)
LOSS 1-0 (a) Real Madrid (La Liga, November 21)
WON 4-1 (h) Salamanca (Copa del Rey, November 11)
LOSS 2-0 (h) Athletic Bilbao (La Liga, November 8)
Xerez
LOSS 2-0 (h) Atletico Madrid (La Liga, December 5)
LOSS 2-0 (h) Barcelona (La Liga, December 2)
LOSS 5-1 (a) Getafe (La Liga, November 29)
DREW 0-0 (h) Sporting Gijon (La Liga, November 22)
LOSS 1-0 (a) Osasuna (Copa del Rey, November 10)
TEAM NEWS
Racing
Ze Antonio terminated his contract with Racing earlier this week after filing a lawsuit with the club.
Tono is poised to miss a couple of fixtures due to an injury to his right leg. Meanwhile Oscar Serrano is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
Probable Starting XI: Coltorti; Morris, Henrique, Torrejon, Christian; Munitis, Colsa, Lacen, Canales; Tchite, Geijo
Xerez
It’s been all quiet on the injury front for the basement club this week, though David Prieto will return to the squad after serving a suspension following his dismissal in the recent defeat by Getafe.
Midfielder Sidi Keita is banned and will sit just this game out.
Probable Starting XI: Renan; Francis Perez, Gioda, Prieto, Mendoza; Calvo, Viqueira, Bergantinos, Armenteros; Maldonado, Mario Bermejo
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Racing
After scoring a brace of goals last weekend, Sergio Canales’ confidence should be exceptionally high. He will likely be deployed out on the left-wing, but Portugal will want his charge to get forward and support the attack in the manner he managed last weekend against Espanyol. His double against los Periquitos was his first appearance on the scoresheet this season.
Xerez
With no offensive firepower to speak of, it’s often a grim chore of hanging on for the Andalusians, whose defence is far from water-tight. As a result, on loan goalkeeper Renan is getting the opportunity to showcase his ability all too frequently. Even against another struggling team, it is likely that he will have to be the star man if the basement outfit are to pick up even a point.
PREDICTION
After their big win last weekend, Racing will be feeling good. Xerez will doubtless again earn the tag of plucky losers, but that will earn them no points, instead leaving them even further adrift at the foot of the table. Lacking any kind of firepower, the Segunda champions face a long winter.
Racing Santander 2-0 Xerez
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Fabio Capello & FA differ on public perception
The governing body played the populist game and lost a manager who still had English football's best interests at heart but would not accept responsibility without command
-
The top 20 clubs in football's money league
Deloitte's annual publication of the richest sides in football sees a familiar Spanish duo stretch their advantage over England's finest in 2010-11
-
How Capello's exit will affect England's players
As the national team enters a new era, we take a look at the players who are now destined for big things and those potentially heading for the scrapheap under a new boss
-
Cartoon: Redknapp sentenced to England service
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...
-
The list of clubs that could try to sign Capello
Now that the Italian is no longer the England head coach, it is likely that a number of high-profile clubs from across Europe and elsewhere will make an attempt to lure him
Advertisement
Advertisement
