La Liga Weekend Preview: Round 16

Sat 20 Dec 2008 (all times local)
20:00 Real Madrid - Valencia
22:00 Espanyol - Atletico Madrid
Sun 21 Dec
17:00 Mallorca - Sevilla
17:00 Osasuna - Getafe
17:00 Deportivo - Recreativo
17:00 Numancia - Valladolid
17:00 Racing - Malaga
17:00 Sporting - Almeria
19:00 Villarreal - Barcelona
21:00 Betis - Athletic

Real Madrid - Valencia

Real Madrid's clash with Valencia can already be termed must-win, despite the fact that we're yet not even at the season's halfway point.

The blancos, being twelve points off the summit, aren't even in the Champions League spots at present: it's time for the transfer rumours to take a back seat to Liga action.

Valencia, having fielded a second string in their difficult 2-2 draw at St. Etienne midweek in the UEFA Cup, sit pretty in second place prior to this encounter; however, they're still eight points off Barcelona.

Espanyol - Atletico Madrid

Mané's spell in charge of Espanyol hasn't exactly got off to the best of starts. Having presided over one draw and one defeat, his side sit on the brink of the relegation zone.

It's fair to say, though, that he's not under pressure yet - but a heavy defeat at home to Atletico could see that change.

The rojiblancos are currently in fifth place, which they will deem as wholly insufficient, and as such they'll seek all three points.

Given that they are the second highest scorers in the Liga so far, that may not be too difficult against an Espanyol side that just can't stop conceding. What's more, they have both Roman Martinez and Francisco Rufete suspended.

RCD Mallorca - Sevilla FC

Next up high-flying Sevilla travel to meet a Mallorca side who have sunk like a stone of late.

After last week's thrashing at Getafe the Barralets are 18th and in severe danger of relegation.

Sevilla, meanwhile, are comfortably third and will treat this trip across the sea as, if not quite a formality, certainly a game that's winnable.

CA Osasuna - Getafe

Of course Mallorca's problems pale in comparison to those of Pamplona/Iruña.

Osasuna, with just one win to their name all season, sit bottom of the table with a mere nine points. (For reference, Levante had just two points fewer this time last season.)

The Azulones, meanwhile, are sitting top-half with 21 points after an unbeaten run of four games: they're looking to get survival wrapped up early this year.

Deportivo La Coruña - Recreativo de Huelva

Depor are carrying on where they left off last season. The Galicians have 24 points and could potentially even overtake Real Madrid this weekend.

They're hot favourites to crush a Recre side who have managed just 0.66 goals per game all season.

However, the Andalucians actually managed to win 2-0 at the Riazor last season...

CD Numancia - Real Valladolid

Modest Numancia might have won the Segunda last season, but of all the newly-promoted sides they are finding the adaptation to the higher division to be the most difficult.

With just one point separating them from the drop-zone, times are tough for the Soria men.

Valladolid, meanwhile, are just three points off a European place, and although they save their best form for their home games they can't rule out a surprise here.

Real Racing Club - Malaga

Of the newly promoted sides Malaga are top dogs, holding 21 points so far.

This is no mean feat given their poor start to the season, and it's one that brings them succour as they travel to Santander to face Racing.

The Cantabrians may be somewhat tired after their Thursday night UEFA Cup encounter with Manchester City, but nonetheless they will believe that success is possible, given their home form.

Sporting Gijon - UD Almeria

If ever there was a match that may promise goals, this would be it.

The Asturians have shipped well over two goals per game on average, while Almeria have conceded 24 in their fifteen games so far: fireworks may result.

These two outfits have never met in the top flight before, their past clashes coming in the Segunda, but nonetheless excitement may result.

Villarreal - FC Barcelona

A real treat for the purists follows at the Madrigal as Villarreal meet Barcelona.

This could potentially see the blaugrana's lead at the top of the table stretch to eleven points - or shrink to five - before the turn of the New Year.

Barça's confidence could scarcely be higher, and while Villarreal still look like credible challengers they have been leaking goals of late. Again, there could be fireworks.

Real Betis Balompié - Athletic Club Bilbao

Finally Real Betis welcome Athletic to Seville for the last game of 2008.

The Beticos have done well of late to claw their way up from the drop-zone, and with 18 points they're looking markedly more secure.

Athletic, meanwhile, have 16, but the on-form nature of Fernando Llorente and his attacking partners means that they will go all out to leapfrog the Andalucians.