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| Friday, December 6, 2002 20:28 EST |
Real Sociedad looks to remain unbeaten against Sevilla
[Reuters]
MADRID -- World Club Cup champions Real
Madrid returns to the realities of domestic competition when the club
takes on high-flying Real Mallorca at Son Moix on Sunday.
Although Real added yet another international trophy to
the club's collection with its 2-0 win over Olimpia of Paraguay in
Japan, the team has yet to convince in the Spanish first division
this season.
Vicente del Bosque's side has been held to goalless draws
in its last two league games and has dropped to seventh place
in the table, eight points behind leaders Real Sociedad but with
a game in hand.
Skipper Fernando Hierro admitted earlier this week that an
improvement in the league was now a priority.
"Our aim is to be up amongst the leaders before the
Christmas break," he said.
But the European champions will have their work cut out
against the Balearic islanders who are the form side in the
league.
Gregorio Manzano's team lost its first three matches of
the season, but a seven-match winning streak and draws against
Deportivo Coruna and Villarreal have catapulted the club into second
place in the table, just three points behind Sociedad.
Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani, who replaced
Deportivo-bound Albert Luque at the start of the season, has
been in prolific form, adding extra bite to a Mallorca attack
that also includes Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o.
Add to that the experience of former Spanish international
defender Miguel Angel Nadal and the skills of elusive Argentine
Ariel Ibagaza on the wing and Mallorca is certain to cause
plenty of problems for Real.
Other matches being played in the Spanish first division
this weekend (league positions in parentheses):
Saturday
SEVILLA (17) v REAL SOCIEDAD (1)
Sociedad has emerged from a tough series of games against
Deportivo, Real and Barcelona with its unbeaten record intact
and a three-point advantage at the top of the table. Young
midfielder Xabi Alonso is suspended, but the presence of the
in-form Valery Karpin and the prolific strike partnership of
Nihat Kahveci and Darko Kovacevic should prove too much for the
Andalucians.
MALAGA (9) v VILLARREAL (12)
After a poor start to the season Villarreal has worked
its way out of the danger zone by taking seven points out of
the last nine. Malaga has lost its edge of late and has now
gone three games without a win. Striker Dario Silva is doubtful
and defensive duo Fernando Sanz and Josemi are definitely out
because of suspensions.
RAYO VALLECANO (19) v BARCELONA (10)
Barca, who was well beaten by league leaders Real Sociedad
last week, is now 10 points off the pace and coach Louis van
Gaal needs a win to stave off further criticism.
Inspirational defender Carles Puyol has recovered from a
head injury, but midfielder Thiago Motta and winger Marc
Overmars are suspended after their dismissals during the 2-1
defeat at Anoeta.
Rayo, who has taken just one point from its last six
matches, dropped into the relegation zone following 3-1 defeat
at Espanyol and will be desperate to repeat last season's
victory over the Catalans.
RECREATIVO HUELVA (20) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (6)
Deportivo marksman Roy Makaay took his tally for the season
to 10 after grabbing both goals in last week's 2-2 draw against
high-flying Mallorca. The Dutch striker may get a chance to
renew his partnership with influential playmaker Juan Carlos
Valeron who is returning to action after injury.
Opponents Recreativo remain rooted to the foot of the table
and it will be a major upset if the club gets its third win of the
season against the Galicians.
VALENCIA (3) v RACING SANTANDER (13)
Injury problems have put the brakes on Valencia's impressive
start to the season. Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar and
midfielder Francisco Rufete are back in training but are likely
to be rested ahead of next week's Champions League clash against
Arsenal. Keeper Santiago Canizares is, however, still out of
action with a knee injury and will miss the tricky clash against
the Cantabrians.
Sunday
ATHLETIC BILBAO (11) v OSASUNA (16)
Athletic slipped to its first defeat in five games as the club
went down 1-0 at Betis last time out and faces an equally tough
match against a combative Osasuna who has beaten both Valencia
and Atletico Madrid in recent weeks.
ATLETICO MADRID (8) v VALLADOLID (14)
After last week's 1-0 defeat at Osasuna, Atletico is hoping
to celebrate Luis Aragones's 700th match as a first division
coach with a victory. Valladolid has lost its last two games,
but a win over Barcelona and a draw against Real Madrid earlier
in the season suggest the club could spring a surprise.
CELTA VIGO (4) v ALAVES (15)
Celta may not be playing its traditional attacking
football this season, but the club is still up with the leading
pack. Striker Catanha was back among the goals in last week's
2-0 win over Valladolid but may find it more difficult against
the Basques who now appear to have resolved their defensive
problems.
ESPANYOL (18) v REAL BETIS (5)
Terrier-like striker Raul Tamudo inspired Espanyol to a 3-1
win over Rayo last time out, but it was not enough to lift the
Catalans out of the relegation zone. A tough task now awaits as
the club faces the attacking power of Victor Fernandez's side who
grabbed a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao thanks to another superb
free kick from Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao.
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