Soccer Weekend..previews

Shooter

Senior Member
#1
This weekend I'll be concentrating on Italy and Spain as there are some pretty interesting matches going to take place. Now for you non-soccer types Real Madrid are the Yankees of European Soccer...they throw the cash out there for all of the stars and lately they've been crappy...hence their coach was tossed about 4 weeks ago. Their nickname is the Galaticos and here's the official definition...Galáctico (or superstar) is a term used to describe a world-famous soccer player who plays for the Spanish club Real Madrid...pretty funny that's the official definition from the Spanish dictionary.

Quick snapshot in Spain:
Real Madrid heads (5) to Villarreal (4)
(5-2-1 away at 4-2-2 home)

Sorry-looking Real Madrid (5th) have fallen eleven points behind Barcelona, and travel to the Valencian suburb aware that a loss could effectively end their Championship challenge. Ronaldo is ruled out, but Cassano (Just sign from AS Roma) and Cicinho (yet another Brazilian) are available after completing their moves. Also encouraging, was the form shown by Robinho and Beckham on Tuesday. The hard-fought Copa Del Rey win over Athletic Bilbao to start the new year has raised their spirits, and a couple of wins could yet kick-start their season.

Villarreal (4th) are meanwhile having another solid season, and can smell a Champions League quarter-final berth, as well as a spot in next season's Champions League. The depth of the squad, however, has become a concern for Pellegrini now that his team enter the second half still involved in all three competitions. That, and the enormity of this encounter, shrewdly saw Pellegrini rest his key players, including Riquelme, for the financially less beneficial Cup. The subsequent loss to Valencia was taken almost with relief, knowing they wouldn't have been able to handle three competitions, and all eyes are now focused on making a statement against the Galaticos.

With both sides separated by just a point in the standings, both needing to win this one for confidence and momentum as much as anything else, and the world watching, the makings are there for a titanic tussle.

Stat of interest:
home
1.37 Average goals scored at home for Villa
1.87 Average goals scored on the road for Real
---yet the money is on the under 2 1/2 right now...hmmmm
 

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