Top Teams Favourites for 3s

Real Madrid vs. Racing Santander

The International break has given Real Madrid backroom staff to concentrate on its injury list and get them back on the field as soon as possible. Cristano Ronaldo and Ruud Van Nistelrooy could be amongst the bench against Santander, if not then the El Clasico is definite a target. Manual Pellegrino’s men have won two games after international fixtures so don’t expect exhaustion from players returning from international fixtures. Currently second in the La Liga, Real Madrid will have to keep up the pace with Barcelona as they are only a point behind them.

Racing Santander, currently 17th in the La Liga with seven points in their account, could be facing a tough battle this season. Just before the International break started, Santander fired their coach, Juan Carlos Mandia, after losing 2-0 in their derby match against Athletic Bilbao. Mandia has only been in charge of Racing Santander for four months and was unable to achieve their last season’s good form. They now travel to the Bernabeu with news in the coming days of a new appointed coach.

Real Madrid are unbeaten in the Bernabeu and they also won in three consecutive years against Racing Santander. The only time Santander found glory at the Bernabeu was back in 2005 where they won 2-1. Real Madrid are heavy favorites against Racing Santander and that is no surprise as this is a top against bottom match in the La Liga.

Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona

Manager Caparros must have been at two minds over the International break. His team has won two consecutive games while missing a few key players. Hopefully for the visit of reigning champion, Barcelona, he will have Fran Yeste, Gaizka Toquero, Aitor Ocio and Markel Susaeta ready and fit to do battle. Caparros will want his star striker Fernando Llorente and Inigo Diaz De Cerlo to come out on top and earn him the three much needed points to closer to the top teams in the La Liga.

Barcelona have been hit with rumors linking them with players like Robinho while Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed that they rejected an offer from Inter Milan for their Argentina star player, Leo Messi. As many Barcelona fans know, Leo Messi extended his contract with Barcelona last September which will keep him with the Catalan giant until 2016 and includes a €250 million buy-out clause. Manager Josep Guardiola has arranged a training match against Bolivar FC for the players not on International duties so most first squad team members will assemble once again by Thursday. Frenchman Eric Abidal will be out for three weeks.

Barcelona have not lost to Bilbao home and away since 2006. That night Bilbao triumphed at home with a 3-1 win however Barcelona has since then beat Bilbao on 8 occasions and drew once. The Catalan giants are favorites against Bilbao and with the likes of Messi, Zlatan, Maxwell, and Iniesta, what can go wrong?

Osasuna vs. Valencia

Osasuna lies 10th in the La Liga with 12 points. They managed to draw 1-1 with reigning champion, Barcelona, a few weeks ago at home and with the upcoming visit of Valencia, Osasuna could produce a surprising result to life them up to the top half of the La Liga. Osasuna have a modest home record of winning just twice, drawn twice and lost once. Their last match was against Almeria away where they lost 2-0 in a lackluster performance. Osasuna striker Walter Pandiani will need to be more cynical upfront against Valencia.

In sunny Spanish port, Valencia CF, have been in a financial crisis and more trouble could be ahead of them. Their €500 million debt is currently being bailed out by the regional government and Spain internationals David Villa and David Silva could be up for sale when the Transfer window opens in January. On the field, Valencia are still one of the top clubs in Spain, they are currently 4th in La Liga and five points away from league leader, Barcelona. They are unbeaten in six matches, drawing two of them, so certainly all the off the field issues are not effecting the player’s performance. Valencia will go to Osasuna in search for the three points.

A stalemate could be the ideal result for this tie. Osasuna would not complain that much if the end result was a draw while Valencia could be left wanting for more. A starting lineup with David Villa and David Silvia will no doubt give any team the confidence to score goals whether you are home or away. Valencia are weak favorites as they are looking for their fourth consecutive win in Osasuna.