La Liga: Racing de Santander vs. Athletic Bilbao

Posted on | January 5, 2008 | No Comments

Racing de Santander goes into this match showing clear signs of fatigue. They have lost three of their last four games, and although they still occupy a UEFA cup spot, I wonder how much longer they can resist. We can see exactly where the problem lies, too. In the last four games they have conceded ten goals. In the THIRTEEN games before that only nine. They now have Valencia and Sevilla breathing down their necks and they need a win here to keep up their European dreams. Luckily, Athletic Bilbao is also going through something of a crisis of results, and has only managed six points and a possible eighteen. They are having a very irregular season so far, which reflects in their position in the league. They are currently fourteenth and just one point above the relegation zone.
Athletic coach Joaquín Caparrós has a nightmare injury list to contend with at the moment, including Aitor Ocio, Joseba Etxeberria and Javi Martínez, who broke his nose in the first day of training in the New Year. Ex-Chelsea defender Asier Del Horno is also doubtful after picking up a knock in the Christmas friendly match between the Basque country and Catalunia. The good news is that goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz should be back between the posts after recovering from as injury back in early November.
I’m backing Racing de Santander for this one. I can see them taking all three points simply because they seem to have more hunger this season. Usually it is normal for Racing to be fighting relegation come January, but now they have a real chance of getting into Europe I don’t believe they will waste it, and even though goalkeeper Toño is still out, Athletic’s injury worries are far more important than Racing’s.
Prediction: Home win (2-1)

Related posts:

1. La Liga: Athletic Bilbao vs. Valladolid
2. La Liga: Athletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao
3. La Liga: Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona
4. La Liga: Valencia vs. Racing de Santander
5. La Liga: Levante vs. Racing de Santander

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