La Liga: Real Zaragoza versus Atletico Madrid - Preview
As both Zaragoza and Atletico prepare to take on each other on Saturday 19
February, 2011 at Estadio de la Romareda, let’s take a look how Sanchez Flores’s Atletico and Javier Aguirre’s Zaragoza, might line-up for their matchup on the upcoming weekend.
Real Zaragoza
Perilously close to the drop zone, Real Zaragoza, have got their work cut out in the Spanish Primera Division. Currently at the 17th place spot in La Liga’s standings, Zaragoza are just one point off the relegation zone, which includes the likes
of Osasuna, Almeria and Malaga. Out of their last five competitive fixtures, Zaragoza have won three, drawn one and lost one.
With merely 23 points from a total of 23 games, it has been Real Zaragoza’s away form, which has let them down time and time again. On their travels, Javier’s team have only won once whilst drawing and losing five times.
Their home record isn’t that impressive as well because they have only won four times at the Romareda stadium in the 2010-2011 La Liga season.
Atletico Madrid
Presently 11th in the Spanish Primera Division, Atletico have flattered to deceive thus far in the La Liga season. Sanchez Flores’s team started the season off with a bang but since then, Los http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Indios-c39565 have disintegrated as a unit.
At first, Atletico were seen as sure shot contenders for the fourth place spot in the Spanish league rankings. However, their latest defeat to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 in their latest Spanish league encounter means that they are out of the race for a spot in the UEFA Champions
League final.
Atletico’s dire form has meant that they have failed to gain a result in any of their last five competitive fixtures. Out of their last five fixtures in the 2010-2011 club football season, Atletico Madrid, have failed to gather any points as they failed
to win or draw any of these matches in question.
Los Colchoneros have only won three matches on their travels in the present Spanish league season thus Zaragoza will be looking forward to competing against Quique Sanchez Flores’s outfit.
Team news
Zaragoza’s fans will take pride in the fact that Said Boutahar is fit for the Spanish club side after impressing in their team’s one goal loss to Hercules in their last Spanish league matchup.
Real Zaragoza have a fully fit squad for this matchup except for the injured Victor Laguardia, thus all expectations weigh heavily on their coach, Javier Aguirre.
Expected Real Zaragoza line-up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Braulio-c8019
Atletico Madrid will breathe a sigh of relief as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-de-Gea-c10463 has fully recovered from his elbow injury, which he picked up with the Spanish U-21 national team side.
Diego Forlan, Reyes, and, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-c33030 Aguero, are all fit for the tie against Zaragoza so one can expect a feast of goals from the away side.
However, Diego Godin, will miss out on the weekends encounter due to his sending off against Valencia in Atletico’s last match in the Spanish Primera Division.
Expected Atletico Madrid line-up: De Gea, Lopez, Perea, Dominguez, Valera, Reyes, Tiago, Garcia, Merida, Forlan, Aguero
Key Players
Said Boutahar will be the main player for Zaragoza. The midfielder has experienced a rich vein of form thus far in the Spanish league season but question marks still remain over his ability to sustain the efforts he has been putting into his performances.
Atletico Madrid will centre their play on Diego Forlan. The former Manchester United striker was abysmal in Atletico’s last league match against Valencia, so some repair work is in order for the veteran goal scorer.
Prediction
Despite Atletico’s woeful away form in the 2010-2011 La Liga season, one can expect them to overpower http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Real-Zaragoza-c40344 due to their skilful strike force. Prediction: 1-2 to Atletico Madrid.
The views expressed by the writers are his own and do not reflect the editorial policy of
www.bettor.com
Tags: