Two sides on the decline face off this weekend as Villareal host Deportivo in a game both sides know they cannot afford to lose.
For Depor, it is a matter of fighting off the drop for a side that were title contenders less than a decade ago. Villareal know that another loss at home could see them fall off the pace with the front-runners and even put their European qualification in jeopardy.
Sub-Par
It is hard to tell what exactly is going wrong at Villareal. Without doubt there have been injuries, but not so severe as to justify their sudden dip in form.
The Yellow Submarine lost to a somewhat toothless Recreativo side and were consequently knocked out of the cup – the competition they stood most chance of winning this season.
However, of far more concern will be the resounding 3-0 thumping they received by Espanyol last weekend – a side they are in direct competition with – and the ease with which they were brushed aside will be great cause for concern at El Madrigal.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men have endured a miserable winter period, which has seen them go from potential table-toppers to a side that are slowly but surely slipping down the league table.
With them still in fifth place, such a statement may seem a little alarmist – but the ease with which they have surrendered points to lower table sides such as Real Betis and Valladolid strongly suggests that barring some exceptional showings against the big guns, they will continue to slip down and out of contention as a liga heavyweight.
Judgement Day?
There are rumours circulating that Deportivo manager Miguel Angel Lotina (pictured) is soon to be shown the door at the Riazor unless he should enact a miraculous change in the club’s fortunes on the pitch.
Off it, there are mounting problems as well, when goalkeepers Dudu Aouate and Gustavo Munua came to blows on the training ground and the former was left needing six stitches just below his left eye.
Their spat allegedly spawned from the dropping of the Israeli from his usually assured goalkeeping slot and he was replaced by back-up Munua.
It is unsure whether Munua will be suspended for his more aggressive part in the spat and Aouate may get a recall, or whether Munua will keep his place or both will be dropped, which will result in the Galician club having to dig into their reserves for a shot-stopper.
Regardless, the odds are against them – and that’s even factoring in Villareal’s poor form – Lotina’s side have been woeful, so much so that the boss himself has said he will not be surprised should he receive the sack.
Star defender Fabricio Coloccini has expressed his own concerns about the club’s defense, but the attack is just as problematic. Depor have been rotating constantly up front – some of it enforced – and none of their strikers have scored more than three goals this season.
It is entirely possible that if this match results in a loss for Lotina, it will be his last as manager of the club, even taking into account the tough opposition and the fact they are visitors.
A draw would most likely save his job at least for another week; while a win could see his and the club’s fortunes miraculously turn in the new year. What is clear is that this match will be a decisive point in the blanquiazules’ fight against relegation.
FORM GUIDE
Villareal
08 Jan Recreativo vs Villareal 1-0 (Copa del Rey)
05 Jan Espanyol vs Villareal 3-0 (La Liga)
23 Dec Villareal vs Recreativo 1-1 (La Liga)
20 Dec AEK Athens vs Villareal 1-2 (UEFA Cup)
16 Dec Getafe vs Villareal 1-3 (La Liga)
09 Dec Villareal vs Real Betis 0-1 (La Liga)
Deportivo
06 Jan Deportivo vs Atletico Madrid 0-3 (La Liga)
02 Jan Deportivo vs Espanyol 1-2 (Copa del Rey)
23 Dec Levante vs Deportivo 0-1 (La Liga)
19 Dec Espanyol vs Deportivo 1-1 (Copa del Rey)
16 Dec Deportivo vs Zaragoza 1-1 (La Liga)
09 Dec Barcelona vs Deportivo 2-1 (La Liga)
TEAM NEWS
Villareal
Villareal have had good news ahead of this weekend’s clash with several players on the road to recovery. Nihat should be back in action, as should Jon Dahl Tomasson, Joan Capdevila, Bruno Soriano and Josemi.
It is likely Pellegrini will field an offensive formation in order to get the best out of this tie, which he will no doubt look at as an ideal opportunity to get back to top form.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2) Vieira – Angel, Josemi, Fuentes, Capdevila – Cani, Cazorla, Senna, Pires – Nihat, Rossi
Deportivo
Attacking duo Xisco and Riki should be fit for the encounter, but it is unclear whether both will be started by Lotina in a game where he may be looking to keep it tight. Filipe and Cristian will be battling to get fit, while captain Manuel Pablo and Sebastian Taborda are almost certainly ruled out of the clash.
The main talking point of selection will of course be the goalkeeping spot. With Aouate and Munua coming to blows in training it is unclear how they will be disciplined. Munua is the more likely to start – with Aouate having been dropped prior to the incident – but if neither are available reserve Manu may be called into emergency action.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2) Manu – Barragan, Coloccini, Adrian Lopez, Filipe – Verdu, Sergio, de Guzman, Guardado – Xisco, Riki
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Villareal – Giuseppe Rossi
The plucky Italian goal-getter will be looking to find his shooting boots, as he has not recaptured his early season form since returning from injury. Nevertheless, as such a dynamic forward he always remains a threat, and Depor’s overrun defence will have their work cut out for them from the word go with this man on the field.
Deportivo – Andres Guardado
It is all-but inevitable these days that all eyes will be on the Mexican winger when Deportivo take the field. Though Coloccini draws similar defensive plaudits, going forward the pace Guardado brings down the wings will no doubt be Depor’s main threat as they look to hit Villareal on the break.
PREDICTION
Both teams are in forgettable form, but one squad has notably more quality than the other, and they are also the home team. When also taking into account the unrest in Depor’s dressing room in the run-in to the game, it is hard to predict anything other than a home win. However, Villareal have lost some home bankers in recent times, and it may be closer than many are expecting.
Villareal 2-1 Deportivo
For Depor, it is a matter of fighting off the drop for a side that were title contenders less than a decade ago. Villareal know that another loss at home could see them fall off the pace with the front-runners and even put their European qualification in jeopardy.
Sub-Par
It is hard to tell what exactly is going wrong at Villareal. Without doubt there have been injuries, but not so severe as to justify their sudden dip in form.
The Yellow Submarine lost to a somewhat toothless Recreativo side and were consequently knocked out of the cup – the competition they stood most chance of winning this season.
However, of far more concern will be the resounding 3-0 thumping they received by Espanyol last weekend – a side they are in direct competition with – and the ease with which they were brushed aside will be great cause for concern at El Madrigal.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men have endured a miserable winter period, which has seen them go from potential table-toppers to a side that are slowly but surely slipping down the league table.
With them still in fifth place, such a statement may seem a little alarmist – but the ease with which they have surrendered points to lower table sides such as Real Betis and Valladolid strongly suggests that barring some exceptional showings against the big guns, they will continue to slip down and out of contention as a liga heavyweight.
Judgement Day?
There are rumours circulating that Deportivo manager Miguel Angel Lotina (pictured) is soon to be shown the door at the Riazor unless he should enact a miraculous change in the club’s fortunes on the pitch.
Off it, there are mounting problems as well, when goalkeepers Dudu Aouate and Gustavo Munua came to blows on the training ground and the former was left needing six stitches just below his left eye.
Their spat allegedly spawned from the dropping of the Israeli from his usually assured goalkeeping slot and he was replaced by back-up Munua.
It is unsure whether Munua will be suspended for his more aggressive part in the spat and Aouate may get a recall, or whether Munua will keep his place or both will be dropped, which will result in the Galician club having to dig into their reserves for a shot-stopper.
Regardless, the odds are against them – and that’s even factoring in Villareal’s poor form – Lotina’s side have been woeful, so much so that the boss himself has said he will not be surprised should he receive the sack.
Star defender Fabricio Coloccini has expressed his own concerns about the club’s defense, but the attack is just as problematic. Depor have been rotating constantly up front – some of it enforced – and none of their strikers have scored more than three goals this season.
It is entirely possible that if this match results in a loss for Lotina, it will be his last as manager of the club, even taking into account the tough opposition and the fact they are visitors.
A draw would most likely save his job at least for another week; while a win could see his and the club’s fortunes miraculously turn in the new year. What is clear is that this match will be a decisive point in the blanquiazules’ fight against relegation.
FORM GUIDE
Villareal
08 Jan Recreativo vs Villareal 1-0 (Copa del Rey)
05 Jan Espanyol vs Villareal 3-0 (La Liga)
23 Dec Villareal vs Recreativo 1-1 (La Liga)
20 Dec AEK Athens vs Villareal 1-2 (UEFA Cup)
16 Dec Getafe vs Villareal 1-3 (La Liga)
09 Dec Villareal vs Real Betis 0-1 (La Liga)
Deportivo
06 Jan Deportivo vs Atletico Madrid 0-3 (La Liga)
02 Jan Deportivo vs Espanyol 1-2 (Copa del Rey)
23 Dec Levante vs Deportivo 0-1 (La Liga)
19 Dec Espanyol vs Deportivo 1-1 (Copa del Rey)
16 Dec Deportivo vs Zaragoza 1-1 (La Liga)
09 Dec Barcelona vs Deportivo 2-1 (La Liga)
TEAM NEWS
Villareal
Villareal have had good news ahead of this weekend’s clash with several players on the road to recovery. Nihat should be back in action, as should Jon Dahl Tomasson, Joan Capdevila, Bruno Soriano and Josemi.
It is likely Pellegrini will field an offensive formation in order to get the best out of this tie, which he will no doubt look at as an ideal opportunity to get back to top form.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2) Vieira – Angel, Josemi, Fuentes, Capdevila – Cani, Cazorla, Senna, Pires – Nihat, Rossi
Deportivo
Attacking duo Xisco and Riki should be fit for the encounter, but it is unclear whether both will be started by Lotina in a game where he may be looking to keep it tight. Filipe and Cristian will be battling to get fit, while captain Manuel Pablo and Sebastian Taborda are almost certainly ruled out of the clash.
The main talking point of selection will of course be the goalkeeping spot. With Aouate and Munua coming to blows in training it is unclear how they will be disciplined. Munua is the more likely to start – with Aouate having been dropped prior to the incident – but if neither are available reserve Manu may be called into emergency action.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2) Manu – Barragan, Coloccini, Adrian Lopez, Filipe – Verdu, Sergio, de Guzman, Guardado – Xisco, Riki
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Villareal – Giuseppe Rossi
The plucky Italian goal-getter will be looking to find his shooting boots, as he has not recaptured his early season form since returning from injury. Nevertheless, as such a dynamic forward he always remains a threat, and Depor’s overrun defence will have their work cut out for them from the word go with this man on the field.
Deportivo – Andres Guardado
It is all-but inevitable these days that all eyes will be on the Mexican winger when Deportivo take the field. Though Coloccini draws similar defensive plaudits, going forward the pace Guardado brings down the wings will no doubt be Depor’s main threat as they look to hit Villareal on the break.
PREDICTION
Both teams are in forgettable form, but one squad has notably more quality than the other, and they are also the home team. When also taking into account the unrest in Depor’s dressing room in the run-in to the game, it is hard to predict anything other than a home win. However, Villareal have lost some home bankers in recent times, and it may be closer than many are expecting.
Villareal 2-1 Deportivo
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