體壇英語資訊：Barcelona and Real Madrid look for maximum points in Spains matchday two
The kick-off of the Champions League next week means that both Barcelona and Real Madrid play their BBVA Primera Liga games this Saturday night.
The two league title favorites are both at home against sides expected to be involved in the fight to avoid relegation and as such are clear favorites to take all three points.
However, while the atmosphere at Barcelona is one of quiet confidence, there is a sense of worry in the air at Madrid' s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Barcelona kicked off its season two weeks ago with a comfortable 3-0 win away to Racing Santander. The club has since then added Javier Mascherano to the squad and confidence is high.
Saturday' s visitors to the Camp Nou, newly promoted Hercules, lost on their return to the Primera Liga, falling 1-0 at home to Athletic Club Bilbao, but they too have a new face in the side and former French international David Trezeguet will no doubt relish the chance to shine in the Camp Nou.
Mascherano will probably start on the bench, but with Leo Messi, David Villa and Andres Iniesta forming a fearsome attacking trident anything other than a Barcelona win would be the shock of the season.
Real Madrid are also favorites to beat Osasuna, but Madrid' s 0-0 draw away to Mallorca has set alarm bells ringing. Jose Mourinho' s side probably deserved all three points a fortnight ago, but lacked fluidity in their league opener.
Central defender Pepe returns to the squad on Saturday, but Madrid are without Cristiano Ronaldo, who has an ankle injury.
There will be nerves in the Bernabeu on Saturday and the longer a dogged Osasuna side can hold on, the more those nerves could start to jangle.
Champions League commitments also mean Valencia entertains Racing on Saturday night and Unai Emery' s men will aim to build on their 3-1 win in Malaga on matchday one. Racing meanwhile know a defeat could leave them bottom of the table.
Saturday also sees Athletic Club Bilbao entertain Atletico Madrid. Morale is high in both camps and Atletico Madrid are being talked about as possible title contenders after winning the European Supercup and beating Sporting Gijon 4-0 on matchday one.
The San Mames Stadium will be a good testing ground to see just how serious Atletico' s candidacy really is.
Sunday sees Malaga travel to Zaragoza aiming to forget their opening day setback. Sporting Gijon plays at home to a Mallorca team that performed well against Real Madrid, while Getafe and Levante look for their first points of the season.
Getafe lost its opening game away to Espanyol, while Levante was thrashed 4-1 at home to Sevilla.
Sevilla meanwhile will be favorites at home to a dour Deportivo la Coruna team. A win for Sevilla would help the club forget its early exit from the Champions League.
Villarreal entertains Espanyol in what promises to be an entertaining game, while the second round of games ends on Monday when Almeria entertains recently promoted Real Sociedad in a game that sees Almeria coach Juanma Lillo pit his wits against one of his former clubs.
The kick-off of the Champions League next week means that both Barcelona and Real Madrid play their BBVA Primera Liga games this Saturday night.
The two league title favorites are both at home against sides expected to be involved in the fight to avoid relegation and as such are clear favorites to take all three points.
However, while the atmosphere at Barcelona is one of quiet confidence, there is a sense of worry in the air at Madrid' s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Barcelona kicked off its season two weeks ago with a comfortable 3-0 win away to Racing Santander. The club has since then added Javier Mascherano to the squad and confidence is high.
Saturday' s visitors to the Camp Nou, newly promoted Hercules, lost on their return to the Primera Liga, falling 1-0 at home to Athletic Club Bilbao, but they too have a new face in the side and former French international David Trezeguet will no doubt relish the chance to shine in the Camp Nou.
Mascherano will probably start on the bench, but with Leo Messi, David Villa and Andres Iniesta forming a fearsome attacking trident anything other than a Barcelona win would be the shock of the season.
Real Madrid are also favorites to beat Osasuna, but Madrid' s 0-0 draw away to Mallorca has set alarm bells ringing. Jose Mourinho' s side probably deserved all three points a fortnight ago, but lacked fluidity in their league opener.
Central defender Pepe returns to the squad on Saturday, but Madrid are without Cristiano Ronaldo, who has an ankle injury.
There will be nerves in the Bernabeu on Saturday and the longer a dogged Osasuna side can hold on, the more those nerves could start to jangle.
Champions League commitments also mean Valencia entertains Racing on Saturday night and Unai Emery' s men will aim to build on their 3-1 win in Malaga on matchday one. Racing meanwhile know a defeat could leave them bottom of the table.
Saturday also sees Athletic Club Bilbao entertain Atletico Madrid. Morale is high in both camps and Atletico Madrid are being talked about as possible title contenders after winning the European Supercup and beating Sporting Gijon 4-0 on matchday one.
The San Mames Stadium will be a good testing ground to see just how serious Atletico' s candidacy really is.
Sunday sees Malaga travel to Zaragoza aiming to forget their opening day setback. Sporting Gijon plays at home to a Mallorca team that performed well against Real Madrid, while Getafe and Levante look for their first points of the season.
Getafe lost its opening game away to Espanyol, while Levante was thrashed 4-1 at home to Sevilla.
Sevilla meanwhile will be favorites at home to a dour Deportivo la Coruna team. A win for Sevilla would help the club forget its early exit from the Champions League.
Villarreal entertains Espanyol in what promises to be an entertaining game, while the second round of games ends on Monday when Almeria entertains recently promoted Real Sociedad in a game that sees Almeria coach Juanma Lillo pit his wits against one of his former clubs.
