18.09.2009 19:11
Spanish League Preview -Week 3
Nick Bedson
As well as Barca, there are three other La Liga teams with two wins out of two so far this season: Real Madrid, Valencia and Athletico Bilbao and all three play at home on Sunday, the day after Barca face Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp.
Madrid missing Xabi Alonso
Madrid face what looks to be the easiest task entertaining the winless Jerez at the
Bernabeu, but they will be without the injured Xabi Alonso who picked up a knock in midweek. Jerez
boss Cuco Ziganda is talking big though, claiming: “our only aim at the Bernabeu is to come
away with a win”. Boosted by a good result midweek in the Europa League, Bilbao welcome back
local hero Ernesto Valverde who brings his stuttering Villarreal team to the San Mames, whilst
Valencia are at home to Sporting Gijon.
Islanders clash in Palma
Mallorca are also unbeaten, with a win and a draw so far this season and on Saturday night
they are at home to fellow islanders Tenerife, who've made a decent start to life back in the top
flight, with one win and one defeat so far. Meanwhile, Getafe will be hoping to put last weekend's
defeat to Barca behind them when they visit Almeria, who've taken just one point from their two
games.
Espanyol after first points
Barca's city neighbours Espanyol have made a disappointing start to the season and will be
looking to take their first points from their visit to La Coruña on Saturday, though they travel
without the injured Tamudo, De la Peña and Nakamura. Deportivo beat Malaga at home in their last
game after losing narrowly at the Bernabeu in their opening match. At Malaga meanwhile, coach Jaun
Ramon Muñiz faces the team he managed last season, Racing Santander, who have just one point so far
and entertain Barca in their next league game on Tuesday night.
Discipline record under scrutiny in Pamplona
Osasuna have already picked up seven yellow and two red cards in just 180 minutes of
football, but they will really need all 11 players on the pitch on Saturday when they take on
Seville, who come into the game on the back of wins against Zaragoza and Unirea in the Champions
League. The Andalusia team have in fact not won in Pamplona for 16 years and they travel to the
game without star striker Luis Fabiano who is injured. In the weekend's other game, Zaragoza are at
home to Valladolid.