No time to relax as Spain's goes straight into match-day 6

English>>Sports

Editor's Pick

No time to relax as Spain's goes straight into match-day 6

(Xinhua) 19:39, September 23, 2013

Email|Print|Comments

twitter

facebook

Sina Microblog

Although there remains one game still to be played in matchday 5 on Monday evening, Tuesday sees the start of matchday 6 in the Spanish BBVA Primera Liga in a marathon of football which then carries over into matchday 7 this coming weekend.

The constrains of the Spanish fixture calendar and the demands of the TV rights-holders, who want to see as much football as possible broadcast at prime time, means there is little time to take in the results of the weekend before looking ahead to the next round of matches with four games to be played on Tuesday and three each on Wednesday and Thursday.

The most attractive match on Wednesday sees FC Barcelona look to maintain their leadership and 100 percent record at home to Real Sociedad, who appear to be suffering the consequences of their return to the Champions League this season.

Real Sociedad's squad looks light to play in two major competitions and that problem is compounded by the loss of midfielder, Esteban Granero, to a serious knee injury.

Meanwhile the debate at Barca is whether or not coach Tato Martino has changed the club's style of play to a more long ball strategy. That doubt was strengthened by the fact they actually enjoyed less possession that Rayo Vallecano in Saturday's match in the Vallecas Stadium. Those pointing out that fact, should also take note of the final score: Barca won 4-0 with Messi and Neymar in fine form once again.

Martino will make changes for Tuesday and expect to see Alexis Sanchez, Dani Alves, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets back in the starting 11.

Tuesday also sees an increasingly solid Levante at home to Valladolid, who need to start collecting points, while Atletico Madrid are clear favorites to maintain their 100 percent start to the campaign and keep pace with Barca when they entertain Osasuna.

There is also a derby in the south and Malaga will look to consolidate their improvement at home to an Almeria side which has scored 10 goals in five games, but conceded 13 and as a result are still looking for their first win.

The big game on Wednesday sees Real Madrid travel to newly promoted Elche. Madrid will be without the injured Gareth Bale, but should still have more than enough to beat a side struggling to adjust to the new category.

Wednesday's other matches see drama in Sevilla where the home side is bottom of the table after five weeks for the first time in over 50 years. Failure to beat Rayo, who have conceded five goals in each of their away games this season could see coach Unai Emery under pressure.

Valencia's Miroslav Djukic was rumored to have been in line for the sack had his side failed to beat Sevilla on Sunday and Djukic will be optimistic of taking something from the visit to Granada, whose coach, Lucas Alcaraz has not seen his team win since the opening day of the campaign.

The round of matches finishes on Thursday as the new San Mames hosts its second game with Athletic Club Bilbao taking on Betis. A talented and unbeaten Villarreal are at home to a tough Espanyol, while Getafe need points when they entertain a lively Celta Vigo, who will look to play on the counter-attack.

Friday then sees the start of matchday 7 as Valladolid play at home to Malaga.