Off the wire
• Trading on Hong Kong Stock Exchange  • New Chinese AEWC aircraft to debut in V-Day parade  • Foreign exchange rates in India  • Hong Kong stocks close up  • 1st LD: DPRK urges advancement of relations with South Korea  • India releases list of 98 cities to be developed as smart cities  • Urgent: 2 senior army commanders killed in Iraq's Anbar  • Taiwan stocks close up 1.41 pct  • Spotlight: Foreign experts confident of China's long-term prospects, rejecting blame for causing economic reversals  • Papua New Guinea does not have debt problem: PM  
You are here: 　 Home

Barca have injuries, Madrid need goals in Spain's matchday 2

Xinhua, August 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona have to overcome a minor injury crisis when they entertain Malaga in the second round of matches of the BBVA Primera Liga on Saturday evening.

The Catalan's who scraped through to a 1-0 win away to Athletic Club Bilbao last weekend, are without Gerard Pique, Dani Alves and Adriano, while Neymar is recovering from mumps.

The good news for coach Luis Enrique is that Sergio Busquets has recovered from an ankle injury he suffered a week ago and should be able to play.

Following their 0-0 away to Sporting Gijon last week Real Madrid have the chance to show their fans they have no problems scoring goals, despite a start to the campaign in which they have struggled to find the net.

Real Madrid play another newly promoted side, Betis late on Saturday night and with Karim Benzema available again after injury it, it will be interesting to see how Rafael Benitez shuffles his starting 11.

Betis hope to resign former hero Joaquin Sanchez before Saturday and will be hoping to frustrate Madrid and their ever-demanding fans for as long as possible.

Another returning hero is Asier Illaramendi, after the Real Sociedad midfielder completed his return from Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Illaramendi has said he is fit to face Sporting Gijon and the decision over whether or not he starts is down to Real coach, David Moyes.

The round of matches kicks off on Friday when Villarreal entertain Espanyol and Roberto Sodado will be hoping to once again show that his loss of form in England is now history.

The former Tottenham striker scored on his debut away to Betis last week and will aim to do the same against an Espanyol side who beat Getafe on the first weekend.

Saturday also sees what promises to be an entertaining game between Celta Vigo, who won away to Levante last week, at home to Rayo Vallecano, who are once again finding their feet after massive changes over the summer.

The early leaders, Eibar, are at home to Athletic Club Bilbao in a local derby and hoping to take advantage of their neighbors' tiredness from a European qualifying game and a long injury list, which includes striker Inaki Williams and Iker Muniain.

Perhaps the game of the week will be held in Sevilla's Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium as Sevilla, who have just signed former Spain striker, Fernando Llorente, entertain Atletico Madrid.

It promises to be an intense game between two of the best tactical sides in Spain, both of whom possess firepower in attack.

Valencia celebrate making the group stage of the Champions League at home to Deportivo la Coruna, while newly promoted Las Palmas will fancy their chances of a point at home to a dour Levante side.

The round of matches ends with Getafe entertaining Granada in a 22.30 kick off which should ensure Getafe's Alfonso Perez Coliseum is virtually empty. Endit