Next match, liga, day 6:

Celta - Valencia

Sunday 15th October 2006 at 17:00 hours. Balaídos.

Actualais, Abraxas, actualais

Seriously; actually the game will be on Sunday 15th, at 17h.

Albiol And Villa Doubtful For Celta Vigo Clash

Valencia centre-half Raul Albiol, and forward David Villa, are both doubtful for Sunday's clash against Celta Vigo.

Los Ches face a big test on Sunday, as they take on Celta in Balaídos, and have been dealt some bad news.

Raul Albiol picked up his injury while on international duty with the Spanish under-21 side, during the 2-1 loss to Italy on Tuesday, and is unlikely to travel to Vigo after failing to recover sufficiently.

However, the fact that scans have ruled out a fracture, will come as welcome news to coach Quique Flores.

David Villa also picked up a knee injury against Argentina, and is yet to train after two days of medical care. However, it has been diagnosed as just a bad bruise, and his participation on Sunday has not yet been ruled.

Meanwhile, Ruben Baraja and Francesco Tavano are still some distance from full fitness, though Asier del Horno is said to be very close to a full return.

Preview: Celta Vigo - Valencia

Celta Vigo (14th) v Valencia (2nd)
When: 17:00 CET, Sunday October 15, 2006
Where: Balaidos, Valencia

A tough challenge awaits Quique Flores’ side in beautiful but blustery Galicia. Los Che are looking for three points in the back yard of one of last season’s most impressive teams.

An ‘Old’ Face

Celta bounced back at the first opportunity following relegation from the Spanish top flight with promotion in 2005. After supplementing a solid squad with promising acquisitions, the sky blues surged through the opening months of the season. To their credit, form rarely dipped thanks to some stellar performances by Fernando Baiano, Nestor Cannobbio, Borja Oubina and, perhaps most notable of all, one David Silva. The dazzling attacking midfielder was outstanding and became an ever-present during his loan spell at the Celtinas. He was unquestionably the club’s biggest loss in the summer, for they have not the money to replace such a class act. The youngster has already delighted the Mestalla faithful in similar fashion, and should receive rapturous applause when he takes to the Balaidos field.

Opportunity Knocks

Sitting pretty both in La Liga and Europe, Flores will begin to eye the fixture list, looking ahead to the winter break. Without taking anything for granted, victory in this fixture could prove a major step in maintaining pressure on, or even usurping, Barcelona in top spot. After this weekend there is a comparatively straightforward domestic fixture list for Valencia’s sumptuous squad until the end of November, when they face a make-or-break double header against Sevilla and Real Madrid. Valencia’s roster is built to last, and Flores will see a chance to build serious momentum off this match, ensuring the team is an unstoppable freight train come crunch time, while hoping the Blaugrana slip in the meantime.

Vasquez Concerns

A three game winless streak has understandably got the man once targeted by Alex Ferguson to become his number 2 at Old Trafford feeling a little uneasy. He has already publicly stated this was a bad time to be playing the ‘invulnerable’ Valencia, but there is surely no pressure on him from upstairs yet. Celta were always going to find it tougher this term with a more educated set of opponents and greater expectation from media and fans at the season's start. Expect the team to rise to the occasion.

FORM GUIDE

Celta

Oct 1 v Racing (A) 1-1 (Liga)

Sept 28 v Standard Liege (H) Won 3-0 (Uefa)

Sept 24 v Osasuna (H) Lost 2-0 (Liga)

Sept 17 v Espanyol (A) Lost 2-1 (Liga)

Sept 14 v Standard Liege (A) Won 1-0 (Uefa)

Valencia

Oct 1 v Nastic (H) Won 4-0 (Liga)

Sept 27 v Roma (H) Won 2-1(CL)

Sept 24 v Barcelona (A) 1-1 (Liga)

Sept 17 v Getafe (H) Won 2-0 (Liga)

Sept 12 v Olympiakos (A) Won 4-2 (CL)

TEAM NEWS

Celta

Expect bruising stopper Matias Lequi and Jorge Larena to return to the fold after coming on in the fortunate draw at Santander in the last round. Antonio Nunez will also be pushing for a place on the right flank.

Possible Starting XI: (4-2-3-1) Pinto, Tamas, Lequi, Contreras, Placente, Oubina, Nene, Canobbio, Jorge, Lopez, Baiano

Valencia

A host of names are unavailable to Flores, predominantly for fitness reasons. Marchena, Baraja and Tavano are out, while Del Horno is not quite ready yet. Serious doubts emerged over Albiol and Villa after picking up niggles in the week, though they still may figure. The coach remains unconvinced over fielding Joaquin in potentially testing matches and, elsewhere, Hugo Viana has not done himself any favours with recent comments and will remain sidelined.

Possible Starting XI: (4-4-1-1) Canizares, Miguel, Navarro, Ayala, Moretti, Angulo, Albelda, Edu, Vicente, Silva, Morientes

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jorge Larena

The creative midfielder, formerly of Atletico, was one of many eye-catching arrivals in the summer of ’05. After a good season last time out, Vasquez will be looking to his conjuring skills even more now that Silva has gone. He can taunt and tantalise a possibly make-shift Che defence.

Edu

After a shocking injury weeks into his career at the Mestalla two summers ago, the ex-Arsenal man’s luck has finally changed and he has turn-heads with some commanding displays in the Valencia engine room. With both Baraja (now) and Albelda missing for periods already this season, Edu is playing himself into Flores’ first choice eleven even when everyone is fit. He should be key in breaking up Celta attacks and lauching counter-offensives with his passing ability.

PREDICTION

A tricky one to forsee as if the hosts play to their potential anything can happen, but when victories dry up the confidence follows. Celta like to take it to the opposition with slick passing play and pace out wide, but a more conservative mentality will spell doom, which seems to be on the cards.