Real Madrid go into this match knowing what to expect. Murcia is the kind of opponent that Madrid never likes playing against, and the one – one draw earlier on in the season between these two sides is testament to that. Having said that, coach Javier Clemente’s Murcia will need to pull something special out of the hat if they are to get anything at all from this game.
Hosts Real Madrid are currently seven points in front at the top of La Liga, but mustn’t take their eye off second placed Villarreal or Barcelona in third. Both these two sides are on the same points and Barcelona have the better goal average, but as Villarreal have beaten Barcelona twice this season they go second. Madrid will have to take into consideration that Both Villarreal and Barcelona have quite easy games this weekend, and the gap could be reduced to just four points if Madrid mess things up.
Murcia coach Javier Clemente is only too aware of this and this week he has been up to his usual tricks, using the media to stir up trouble. If Madrid are seven points clear at the top, Murcia are seven points from salvation. Currently second from the bottom, they have improved slightly of late, winning two of their last three games, including a four goal to nil hammering at home to Espanyol and a shock victory over Valencia last weekend, again at home. The problem for Murcia though, is their away form. They have only won away once this season and that was in September. Since then they have picked up four points from four draws and lost a whopping nine games. No wonder Javier Clemente wants to stir up trouble with the Madrid fans, since that takes pressure off his players.
Van Nistelrooy is still out after his ankle operation, but is get in light training again. Also out is Sergio Ramos, who picked up yet another red card against Mallorca last week and now has to sit out a one match ban and the same goes for Murcia’s Uruguayan striker Ivan Alonso.
I have to go for a home win here. Real Madrid are only too aware that these kinds of games have to be won if they are to retain the title, and Murcia are nowhere near good enough at the moment to take any points from this match. I’m going for a convincing home win then, but I doubt if we will see a lot of goals.
Prediction: Home win (2-0)