FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.10.2009 13:19

Spanish League Preview – week 6

A win against Almeria on Saturday night would leave Barca top of La Liga ahead of Sunday's clash between Seville and Real Madrid – the first big test for Pellegrini's team this season.

Ronaldo doubtful for Madrid

Seville are on a great run and their midweek demolition of Rangers in the Champions League was their second four goal haul within a week, proof if needed that Manolo Jimenez's outfit are a thrilling attacking team, with Kanoute, Jesus Navas, Luis Fabiano, Renato or Negredo all capable of turning a game. Madrid have talismanic top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo doubtful for the game, and Gago is also out with a muscle strain, whilst Arbeloa, Metzelder and Lass are all back from injury.

Deportivo chance to make top four

Deportivo could find themselves back in the top four if they can overcome Tenerife on Saturday. The Islanders have won both their home games so far this season, but will be without four first team players for the game, whilst Deportivo will be missing key midfielder Juca. A win for Deportivo would take them above Mallorca, who play on Sunday at Sporting, whose boss Manolo Preciado reckons Malllorca striker Aduritz “is one of the five or six best strikers in the league”. Bilbao, level on 9 points with Deportivo, and Valencia, one point further back, could also leapfrog into Champions League positions if they can win their games at Valladolid and Racing respectively. Bilbao are in something of a free fall, having lost their last three games, whilst Valencia will want to forget last weekend's last minute strike from Maxi that earned Atletico Madrid a point in Mestalla.

Pressure mounts on Atletico and Villarreal

Atletico Madrid themselves will be looking to finally win their first game of the season, after again going down in midweek 2-0 to Porto, though the stats don't much favour their chances as they have only won once in their last seven games at home to Zaragoza, who visit Madrid on the back of a morale boosting 3-0 win over Getafe last week. Villarreal also lost in Europe and with just two points from five league games are desperately in need of a result at home on Sunday to Espanyol, who will again be without Tamudo and De la Peña. In other games, Osasuna visit Getafe, whilst Jerez will look for their first league goal of the campaign at home to Malaga.