LA LIGA SUNDAY: Preview 29.11.09

REAL VALLADOLID v TENERIFE (Jose Zorrilla) Sun 5pm

Tenerife really need to end this run of theirs which has seen them lose every single one of their away matches this season. Real Zaragoza suffered a similar run of away results in 2007/2008 and they went down as a result. Both sides havn't won in their last three and are hovering just above the relegation zone, so its squeeky bum time.

Both sides play with a 4-5-1 formation in an attempt to squeeze the life out of the midfield, so todays match is unlikely to be pretty. Real Valladolid will see this match as an ideal opportunity to snatch three points off a direct rival, and as they have more options going forward, so I'll go for a home win.

KEY MAN: Diego Costa (VALL)
LLL Prediction: 2-0


GETAFE v XEREZ (Coliseum) Sun 5pm

You never know which Getafe is going to turn up these days, they just can't get a run of results together and follow a fantastic result with a drab loss. 0-2 win away at Espanyol followed by a 0-2 defeat at home to Deportivo. Michel will want nothing less than three points against La Ligas bottom side. Casquero is back in the fold and the home fans will be hoping Soldado has his shooting boots on.

My dear Xerez! How they stuggle to put the ball in the net. Last week they were immense and so unlucky not to beat Sporting. Sidi Keita (my new hero) put in a spectacular shift in the middle and was unlucky not to stick in a contender for goal of the season with a stunning overhead kick; the Mali man is pure box-office. But I fear the best they can hope for is another goalless draw, because for all their effort you need to put the chances away. And they don't.

KEY MAN: Roberto Soldado (GET)
LLL Prediction: 0-0


RACING SANTANDER v DEPORTIVO LA CORUÑA (El Sardinero) Sun 5pm

Racing fans havn't had much to cheer about recently. They've lost their manager, are on a dreadful run of results in the league and havn't won at home for almost 200 days! But the team they probably didn't want to face in an attempt to end that run was Deportivo who are yet to lose there since 1996. Already sucked into the bottom three they really need to pull all the stops out and give their new coach his first win since his return to the club.

Deportivo have gone about their business this year with an efficiency typified by coach Lotina. Without any superstars in the side they are tucked nicely inside the top five and a Champions League place is clearly up for grabs. They'll be hoping their silky full back Guardado is fit for the occasion, but apart from that they have no injury worries. A win will see them sidle up beside Sevilla and Valencia, and I reckon they'll get it.

KEY MAN: Riki (DEP)
LLL Prediction: 0-1


ALMERÍA v ATHLETIC BILBAO (Estadio Mediterráneo) Sun 5pm

Two sides that are going quietly about their business. Hugo Sanchez is working wonders at Almería with a limited but willing set of players under his control. Young Piatti is an exciting player who I can see moving to a big side in the future, whilst Uche is the player they rely upon to get the goals.

Caparros can't have expected his team to have started the season so well, with the draw against Barcelona confirming their continued improvement from last year. Llorente is always a danger upfront and Fran Yeste works his socks off in the middle, adding grit to his undoubted class on the ball. One player I would like to see play today is little Iker Muniain. Games like this are perfect for his development. Let him loose!

KEY MAN: Fernando Llorente (BIL)
LLL Prediction: 1-1


ZARAGOZA v OSASUNA (La Romareda) Sun 5pm

I was at this match two seasons ago and whilst they're not that close geographically, both sets of fans see this game as a local derby. Expect a scrappy match, with both teams seeing it as a chance to plant three points on the board, so they can sleep easier over xmas. Zaragoza are falling into the same pattern of results as two years ago and we all know what happened to them that season.

Both teams are experiencing an injury crisis which has left both frontlines depleted. Jermaine Pennant had got his Zaragoza career off to a good start but injury has robbed him of a chance to get a good run of games in. Big shame. Ewerthon is looking like he'll miss out for Zaragoza, whereas Pandiani is definitely out through suspension for Osasuna, so expect the odd goal to settle it.

KEY MAN: Angel Lafita (ZAR)
LLL Prediction: 1-0


BARCELONA v REAL MADRID (Camp Nou) Sun 7pm

It's all been said in the press, we've got the lights and cameras and now it's time for the action. Half the planet will sit down tonight in anticipation of the footballing feast on offer at the Camp Nou as Spain's two greatest of rivals lock horns in the first Clasico of 2009/2010. We'll all have our predictions; we all think we know what to expect, but the truth is games like this can throw up any result, as last seasons 2-6 proved.

Both Messi and Ronaldo are expected to start, and Ronaldo will be keen to level the score after Messi outplayed his rival for the Balon D'Or in last seasons Champions League final. It also seems Pelligrini has come to his senses and will start Higuaín alongside Benzema. Ibrahimovic appears to have recovered in time to lead the line for Barca.

KEY MAN: There are too many to name just one
LLL Prediction: 2-1


ATLETICO MADRID v ESPANYOL (Vicente Calderon) Sun 9pm

Out of the Champions League and second from bottom, Atlético can't aim for anything less than three points against an Espanyol team in the middle of a crisis of results themselves. As always, much will rest on Agüero and Forlán and whether or not the backline has learned how to defend in the last week. A loss could see them hit the bottom and the panic bells would really start to ring.

For Espanyol their week has been ruined with the news that talented midfielder Ivan De La Peña might have to retire because of his ongoing thigh problem. A huge shame for the classy ex-Barca player. Tamudo and Luis Garcia will be reunited in attack. The match has draw written all over it.

KEY MAN: The whole Atlético backline.
LLL Prediction: 1-1