FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.03.2010 19:02

Spanish League Preview: Matchday 28

The league returns to midweek action with matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Real Madrid face Getafe in a Madrid derby on Thursday so a positive result for Barca on Wednesday will put them, at least temporarily, back on top of the table.

Getafe hold the key

Apart from Wednesday evening’s game against Osasuna, the important match as far as Barca fans is concerned is most definitely the Madrid derby between the mighty Real Madrid and lowly cross-town neighbours Getafe, managed by former Real legend Michel. Getafe currently occupy a very respectable eighth place in the league table and have lost only three of their 13 home league matches this season. They inflicted a severe 3-0 corrective on high-flying Mallorca in their last home match and could well produce an upset against their rich neighbours.

Third placed Valencia take on a much improved Malaga side in the Mestalla. Valencia manager Unai Emery is still missing a number of first team regulars but his team is unbeaten at home since they lost to Deportivo in the Cup at the beginning of the year.

Sevilla misery continues

An injury time goal gave bottom club Jerez a 1-1 draw away to Sevilla on Tuesday evening and prompted the sacking of Sevilla manager Manolo Jimenez. Sevilla remain in fifth place on 45 points.

Mallorca will hang on to fourth place whatever the outcome of their trip to Santander to face Racing. The fact is that neither side can be very confident of a good result with Racing having the worst home record in the division while Mallorca have collected a meagre 10 points from a possible 42 on their travels this season.

Meanwhile, Athletic Club Bilbao have a great chance to consolidate sixth place when they face Atletico Madrid at 10 pm on Thursday. With Deportivo (7th, 42 points) losing 2-1 away to Sporting on Tuesday, Bilbao will be looking to take advantage of Atletico’s indifferent home record, having secured goalless draws in their last two outings.

Hope for Valladolid and Tenerife

At the bottom of the table, Valladolid and Tenerife both have the chance to pull themselves out of the relegation zone (or at least catch Zaragoza on points) if they win their home games against Espanyol and Villarreal respectively. Zaragoza, who are just three points above them, have a difficult trip to Almeria.