La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Zaragoza

Posted on | December 31, 2007 | No Comments

La Liga is back after the Christmas holidays, and there are some great games to look forward to as the New Year begins. Real Madrid takes on Zaragoza at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium hoping to make it nine straight home wins from nine games. Indeed, the last time Madrid lost points in the league at home was against Getafe in March. Since then they have made the Bernabeu stadium an impenetrable fortress, where they are almost invincible. I can’t see Zaragoza doing much to change this, as they are having a very bad season and I had thought they would have done much more. At the start of the season a lot of people were betting on Zaragoza being in with a shout for a European spot, but they have been disappointing to say the least. They now find themselves in ninth position in the league, and amazingly just three points from the relegation zone, and they desperately need their seven game run without a win to end as soon as possible. Real Madrid meanwhile are probably one of the hottest teams in European football at the moment. Their one nil away win to arch rivals Barcelona gave them an incredible boost just before Christmas, and they now find themselves seven points clear at the top of the league. Earlier on in the season coach Bernd Schuster was criticized for his team’s boring performances, but now Madrid is playing well and winning.
I can’t see Zaragoza making a serious attempt to win this game. Their defense has been suspect all season, and they travel to the Bernabeu without quite a few important players, most notably ex Madrid goalkeeper Cesar, who went without holidays to try and get fit for this game. Also doubtful are Cuartero, Aimar and Generelo, while Argentinean D’Alessandro is likely to complete his transfer to River Plate.
Real Madrid don’t have any injuries to speak of, but it will be interesting to see if Schuster opts for Baptista in midfield or Guti. You really have to back Madrid in this game. Unbeaten at home for a year, they are playing some really great football and I could see them putting three or more goals past this weak Zaragoza side.
Prediction: Home win (3-0)

Related posts:

1. La Liga: Zaragoza vs. Real Madrid
2. La Liga: Zaragoza vs. Atlético Madrid
3. La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Mallorca
4. La Liga: Athletico Madrid vs. Zaragoza
5. La Liga: Levante vs. Real Madrid

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