La Liga Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs Xerez
Kick Off: Sunday, February 7, 2010. 17:00 CET
San Mames, Bilbao
Stop The Rot
A series of disappointing results have seen the challenge of Athletic Bilbao for an unlikely spot in the Champions League fade over the last few weeks. One win and three defeats since the start of the year is hardly blistering form, and the Basque side have dropped six points back from fourth placed Sevilla.
Though los Leones are presently ranked eighth in the standings, they remain very much in touch with a potential Europa League place, which now must be won through a strong Liga finish after being eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Sevilla.
Prior to last weekend’s 1-0 defeat against Espanyol away from home, coach Joaquin Caparros warned his side against complacency. “We are starting afresh; there is a lot of equality [in the league table],” he told the press. “Villarreal will want to be where they should be, as will Atletico Madrid, Zaragoza… We cannot relax – we must pick up maximum points in the championship.”
Now Athletic are pointless in their last four matches and winless in five. Against Xerez on Sunday, no less than three points will be demanded by the head coach, who will anticipate a tough match against the league’s bottom side but will also expect his unit to scoop the maximum reward.
Winners At Last
There has been precious little for crisis club Xerez to smile about since winning promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history at the end of last season. The Andalusians have found Primera Division football tough, especially as they have largely been forced to cobble together a makeshift squad due to the financial difficulties the club has suffered.
Last weekend, however, there was a rare taste of joy as los Xerecistas picked up only their second win of the campaign. Champions League chasing Mallorca was the scalp taken by the basement club, who are still six points shy of their nearest opponents and seven short of safety.
Remarkably, Nestor Gorosito managed to inspire his side from a half-time deficit to victory. Right sided midfielder Carlos Calvo was undoubtedly the hero of the hour, striking at either extremity of the second half to help his side to a precious and unlikely three points.
Salvation is still hugely unlikely, but the Xerez players continue to portray an upbeat attitude to the press. If they were to achieve another unlikely success at San Mames, the media may just start to take their words a little more seriously.
FORM GUIDE
Athletic
LOST 1-0 (a) Espanyol (Liga, January 31)
LOST 3-1 (a) Deportivo La Coruna (Liga, January 23)
LOST 3-0 (h) Sevilla (Copa del Rey, January 21)
LOST 2-0 (a) Mallorca (Liga, January 17)
DREW 2-2 (h) Valencia (Copa del Rey, January 13)
Xerez
WON 2-1 (h) Mallorca (Liga, January 31)
LOST 2-1 (h) Osasuna (Liga, January 24)
DREW 0-0 (a) Zaragoza (Liga, January 17)
LOST 3-1 (h) Valencia (Liga, January 10)
LOST 1-0 (a) Almeria (Liga, January 3)
TEAM NEWS
Athletic
Fran Yeste is rated has heavily doubtful going into this match, while there is also concern over Fernando Llorente, who has suffered gastroenteritis.
Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora and Carlos Gurpegui have returned to normal training and should be fit to take some part. Mikel San Jose and Javi Martinez are back from bans.
Probable Starting XI: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Amorebieta, Koikili; Susaeta, Martinez, Gurpegui, Orbaiz; Toquero, Llorente
Xerez
Francis, David Prieto and Armenteros all continue to sit out due to problems.
Matias Alustiza and Nicolas Vigneri, a Uruguayan international, could both feature in some capacity after being signed on loan just prior to the transfer deadline.
Probable Starting XI: Renan; Redondo, Gioda, Aythami, Casado; Bergantinos, Keita; Calvo, Orellana, Momo; Bermejo
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Athletic
Sunday’s game is likely to be all about finding the net for los Leones, and they have no-one in their ranks better at doing just that than Fernando Llorente, who should overcome illness to play. The 24-year-old has been capped by Spain five times and it is in matches such as Sunday’s he will expect to significantly better his goal ratio.
Xerez
Carlos Calvo has been in good goal scoring form of late. As well as striking twice last weekend, he also found the net against Valencia earlier this month. The 24-year-old winger is a former Alcoyano and has now joint top scored for the club along with Bermejo this term. His contribution should go a long way to ensuring Xerez find the net at least 15 times this term – the worst ever Primera Division tally.
PREDICTION
Should Athletic get ahead on Sunday, they should be expected to win the game. Xerez’s confidence will be up after their victory last weekend, but they remain a squad desperately short of true quality and goal scoring ability. If the hosts lose this encounter their European hopes will take a juddering blow, but los Leones will instead step up their challenge with a comfortable but not overwhelming success.
Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Xerez
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