Two Down, Ten To Go

Ten points currently separate Real Madrid from the top of the Primera Division table.

On any other year, in any other season, it would be absurd to highlight such a mammoth deficit as a positive development. It could even be considered disastrous for the 31-time league champions to be so far off the pace. But taking into account Madrids plight just two months ago and considering Barcelonas merciless form so far this campaign, cutting the gap down from 12 points to just 10 has meant a lot to the men in white.

Their morale would undoubtedly have gone into overdrive after seeing all their hard work in the form of eight successive wins paying off. And it gives the club a fresh injection of hope that they might just be able to pull off the most biblical of title comebacks after Barca stumbled last Saturday.

But the real test comes now for Juande Ramos and his boys. They have finally, finally managed to make up some ground in the standings, but can they build on that upward momentum and keep their red-hot streak going until the title race is mathematically over?

The other big challenge is, of course, the little matter of the Champions League. Ever since mid-December, the team have had an entire week to prepare for their La Liga matches and that has contributed enormously to their eight-game winning run. But with continental commitments back on the agenda, how will they fare?

Depending on how deep Madrid progress into the competition, Juande will no longer have the luxury to field his strongest possible line-up each and every weekend. Squad rotation will have to come into consideration and players fitness and focus will also be a telling factor.

The first physical and psychological obstacle for Los Blancos to conquer will be the Real Betis-Liverpool c****o and the Andalucians, although just three spots above the relegation zone, will be no pushovers. Just ask Barca.

Almost Famous

Indeed, Betis almost became only the second team in Spain to have the honour and distinction of beating the Blaugrana so far this season. In last weeks clash at the Ruiz de Lopera, they raced to a 2-0 lead even before the half-hour mark, but somehow allowed the Catalans to sneak away with a 2-2 draw. Had they held on for a win, they would have pushed themselves all the way up to 12th place in the ladder heading into Saturdays clash in the capital.

Still, the Beticos can be proud of their result and the way they performed. They are the only side in the league this season, other than Osasuna, to have breached Barcelonas back-line on two occasions in a 90 minute match. In fact, they have done it twice after just narrowly losing 3-2 at the CampNou in the corresponding fixture earlier in the term, when they came back from two goals down but conceded the winner ten minutes from time.

Paco Chapparos richly talented side continue to show their true potential against the leagues top dogs but its the frustrating slip-ups against the lower ranked opponents that are keeping them stuck in the bottom half of the table.

With only five points separating them from the drop zone, the Andalucians will have an important few weeks ahead of them. After playing host to Villarreal next weekend, they will have a straight fight with fellow strugglers, Mallorca and Osasuna, in what could be two vital encounters that will shape their season. 

FORM GUIDE

Real Madrid

Feb 15 Sporting Gijon 0-4 Real Madrid (LA LIGA)

Feb 07 Real Madrid 1-0 Racing Santander (LA LIGA)

Jan 31 Numancia 0-2 Real Madrid (LA LIGA)

Jan 25 Real Madrid 1-0 Deportivo La Coruna (LA LIGA)

Jan 18 Real Madrid 3-1 Osasuna (LA LIGA)

Real Betis

Feb 14 Real Betis 2-2 Barcelona (LA LIGA)

Feb 08 Sevilla 1-2 Real Betis (LA LIGA)

Feb 01 Real Betis 2-2 Getafe (LA LIGA)

Jan 28 Real Betis 0-0 Real Mallorca (COPA DEL REY)

Jan 25 Recreativo Huelva 1-0 Real Betis (LA LIGA)

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder have recovered from their injuries but Juande has strongly hinted that he will rest them this weekend in light of Liverpools visit on Wednesday. Lassana Diarra has shaken off his midweek gastroenteritis attack. Guti has also regained full match fitness following his month-long lay off from a torn calf muscle, and he may get the nod ahead of the Frenchman. Rafael van der Vaart returns from suspension but Michel Salgado is still sidelined with a muscular ailment.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Casillas Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze Higuain, Diarra/Guti, Gago, Marcelo Raúl (c), Huntelaar

Real Betis

Forward Sergio Garcia is a huge doubt for this clash as he nurses a sore throat and high fever. But the good news is that versatile midfielder, Achille Emana, who was suffering from the same illness earlier in the week, has recuperated and resumed normal training. With centre-backs Juanito and Lima still out, midfielder Arzu looks set to drop to partner Melli in the heart of defence.

Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Ricardo Nelson, Melli, Arzu (c), Fernando Vega Juande, Aurelio Damia, Emana, Mark Gonzalez - Oliveira

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Madrid

Man of the moment, Raul is certain to get a rousing reception in front of the Bernabeu faithful after becoming the clubs all-time top scorer last Sunday away from home. Strike partner Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had his own reason to celebrate on the same weekend when he finally broke his Madrid scoring duck. He will be eager to show that it was no fluke.

Real Betis

One of La Ligas revelations this season, Achille Emana will be an instrumental figure for Betis as they rely on him to provide the steel and the spark in midfield to control the game. An industrious player with plenty of creativity, he will also supply the necessary ammunition to striker, Ricardo Oliveira, who has made a decent start to his second stint with the Heliopolis outfit.

PREDICTION

Madrid may have shoved four goals past Sporting last Sunday, but they have yet to overcome their shyness at home. In the five league matches at the Bernabeu since Juande took over, only once have they managed to score more than a goal a game and that was against the rock-bottom side then, Osasuna.

Expect to see the Blancos clamp up their game again as they look to stop an in-form Betis attack. This could be an entertaining evening, but if the visitors really take the game to their hosts from the onset, it could end up being a cagey affair.