04.10.2008 - Primera Divison, Spain

[Ledi17]

1. Villareal - Betis


Last 5 matches for Villareal:
Villarreal - Celtic 1-0
Sporting Gijón - Villarreal 0-1
Villarreal - Racing Santander 2-0
Numancia - Villarreal 1-2
Man Utd - Villarreal 0-0

Team news: Nihat could still be out after limping off with a thigh problem last weekend versus Sporting and missing the match against Celtic in midweek. Matías Fernández too was taken off injured in that match and he may struggle to make it in time. Otherwise the squad is fit, and once again due to their strength in depth, the likes of Pascal Cygan and Jozy Altidore may not even make the match squad.
Probable starting: Diego López; Ángel, Gonzalo, Godín, Capdevila; Cazorla, Senna, Edmilson, Eguren, Pirès; Rossi, Llorente


Last 5 matches for Real Betis:
Real Betis - Real Madrid 1-2
Barcelona - Real Betis 3-2
Real Betis - Sevilla 0-0
Getafe - Real Betis 0-0
Real Betis - Recreativo Huelva 0-1

Team news: Edu has recovered from injury, but he may not be match fit for this encounter, despite the players’ best efforts – he may have to settle for a spot on the bench. Midfielder Emaná suffered a scare in midweek training with a muscle overload but he is expected to be fit come match time. Mehmet Aurélio also missed Thursday's session due to a throat virus but he should be able to shrug it off by the weekend. Forward Sergio García, meanwhile is suspended following his sending off against Madrid last week.
Probable starting: Casto – Nélson, Arzu, Juanito, Monzón; Emana, Aurélio; Damía, Capi, Juande – José Mari


Prediction: Away win (+1 AH) (1.83 @ VCBet)



2. Barcelona - Atletico Madrid


Last 5 matches for Barcelona:
Shakhtar - Barcelona 1-2
Espanyol - Barcelona 1-2
Barcelona - Real Betis 3-2
Sporting de Gijón - Barcelona 1-6
Barcelona - Sporting Clube 3-1


Last 5 matches for Atletico Madrid:
Atletico Madrid - Marseille 2-1
Atletico Madrid - Sevilla 0-1
Getafe - Atletico Madrid 1-2
Atletico Madrid - Recreativo 4-0
PSV - Atletico Madrid 0-3

*Barcelona are based too much on Messi and thankfully Iniesta and Xavi have been enjoying an excellent season till now. The Argentinian came from the bench to score twice in the late minutes against Shakhtar and give Barcelona the victory by 1-2. The sad thing here is the Blaugrana celebrations that took place after the second goal a move revealing that Barca suffers in mentality. Yosep Guardiola is losing the battle at the time being and should work harder to find the winning formula. He will keep on his rotation system.

*In the first hard test of the campaign Atletico lost at home to a hard working defensively Sevilla side. Los rojiblancos were without Diego Forlan, John Heitinga and Maniche, while Kun Aguero was not 100% ready. The Madrid outfit recovered confidence past Wednesday with their victory over Olympic Marseille by 2-1. Against Barca los Colchoneros are the underdog and should be able to launce their favourite counter attacks and take advantage of Barcelona’s fragile defense.



Prediction: Away win (+1 AH) (1.85 @ Bet365)




Good Luck!!!