Spain Football

In principle, we have a relatively predictable weekend's football ahead of us this weekend and, although these might be famous last words, the top of the table is likely to look very similar on Monday morning; Valencia should beat Recre, Barcelona should have no problems with Almeria, and ditto Sevilla against Málaga. After a disappointing performance mid-week against Juventus, I'd expect Real Madrid to be out for blood and dispatch a limited Athletic Club with summarary efficiency. I daren't think what Schuster will have said to his players at this morning's session!

The only result I have doubts about is Villarreal - Atlético. I think it could go either way. Villarreal impress me and, to be perfectly honest, the fact that they still smack of underdog means that part of me would like them to beat one of the theoretical 'grandes'. However, Aguirre's back's against the wall and, as they showed on Wednesday, the Colchoneros have got plenty of fight left in them, so the jury is out on this one.

The other game that I'll probably make an effort to see is Mallorca-Espanyol. It's a Catalan grudge match, which Espanyol have only managed to win twice in the last fifty years. Already the insults have started to fly with one of the Mallorca players saying that Tamudo and Luis García are well-known to referees not only because they're good players but also because they're excellent actors. Sounds like fun.

More on Monday, if not before.

Simon