Preview: Racing Santander - Villarreal

Posted Friday, April 23, 2010 by Goal.com

Still in the hunt for a European berth, the Yellow Submarine will have to sharpen up their away form against los Verdiblancos...

Kick Off: Sunday, April 25, 2010. 17:00 CET
El Sardinero, Santander

Walking The Line

Annual relegation battlers in La Primera Division for the best part of a decade around the turn of the millennium, Racing Santander seemed to have shed this tag a little over the course of the last four years, but they approach Sunday’s fixture against Villarreal knowing fine well they are in the thick of the dogfight once again this season.

Only four points separate los Racinguistas from in-form Tenerife, who are top of the drop zone, and though Malaga and Zaragoza both lie below the Santander club, there has been real anxiety building around El Sardinero in recent weeks as the side seem laboured and points have been a real struggle to win.

Initially the appointment of Miguel Angel Portugal seemed a masterstroke, but in recent weeks he has struggled to get the team playing sufficiently well to wrestle themselves away from danger. In their last 14 games, Racing have picked up only two victories, and though they have drawn with regularity, these single points have not been good enough to seriously moved them clear of the basement.

Last weekend los Verdiblancos had an excellent chance to open up a gap when they faced bottom side Xerez away from home. Goals either side of half-time from Mohammed Tchite had the visiting side 2-1 up, but they would ultimately allow their opponents to snatch a point, keeping things more than interesting with regard to the relegation battle.

Additionally, Racing possess the poorest home record of any side in La Primera Division, having won just three time at El Sardinero all season. Portugal’s side did muster a 3-1 success against Espanyol in their last outing at the venue, and a repeat scoreline would be exceptionally welcome on Sunday.

Champions League Outsiders

Villarreal’s positive form continued last weekend, when they mustered a fine 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at El Madrigal. First half goals from Diego Godin and Giuseppe Rossi gave the Yellow Submarine enough of an advantage to stave off the Atleti backlash after the break, which was led by Sergio Aguero.

With four wins in their last five games, Villarreal, who were bottom of the table after seven weeks of the season, are now no longer being talked about simply as candidates for the Europa League, they are also being involved in debates regarding fourth spot, which brings with it Champions League football.

Six points behind Mallorca, who occupy that position at present, it’s difficult to see Juan Carlos Garrido’s team picking up the requisite number of points to overhaul at least two of the sides currently above them, but it’s not totally out of the question.

“We are now in the position we wanted to be in,” Juan Capdevila told the press earlier this week. “It’s been a great comeback and we are sixth, but we have to stay here and continue up [the league].

“We have five games left to achieve our goal. We depend only on ourselves and that is very important. We are in sixth place and that gives us a lot of confidence because there was little morale before and nobody believed in us.”

The Spain international full-back did recognise the club’s away form as their “only black spot”, and Sunday’s match gives them a chance to start straightening the poor away record out.

FORM GUIDE

Racing

DREW 2-2 (a) Xerez (Liga, April 18)

WON 3-1 (h) Espanyol (Liga, April 14)

DREW 1-1 (a) Deportivo La Coruna (Liga, April 10)

LOST 2-0 (h) Real Madrid (Liga, April 4)

LOST 4-3 (a) Athletic Bilbao (Liga, March 29)

Villarreal

WON 2-1 (h) Atletico Madrid (Liga, April 18)

LOST 3-0 (a) Getafe (Liga, April 13)

WON 1-0 (h) Sporting de Gijon (Liga, April 10)

WON 2-0 (a) Valladolid (Liga, April 4)

WON 3-0 (h) Sevilla (Liga, March 28)

TEAM NEWS

Racing

Teenage ace Sergio Canales was only fit for a place on the bench last weekend, but he should be able to start Sunday’s fixture.

Broadly speaking, the news on the selection front for los Verdiblancos isn’t particularly happy as they will have to complete this campaign without veteran schemer Pedro Munitis, while Henrique is also missing.

Toni Moral is doubtful after picking up a hamstring problem last weekend, while Colsa is banned.

Probable Starting XI: Coltorti; Crespo, Oriol, Torrejon, Moraton; Lacen, Diop; Arana, Canales, Serrano; Tchite

Villarreal

Marcos Senna and Gonzalo Rodriguez missed last weekend’s visit of Atletico Madrid due to hamstring problems in their right legs. Despite missing that fixture, Villarreal’s medical staff are hopeful that both will be able to participate come Sunday, though a place in the starting XI may be a little too much to ask for.

Probable Starting XI: Diego Lopez; Angel, Godin, Musacchio, Capdevila; Ibagaza, Bruno, Cani; Nilmar, Rossi, Llorente

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Racing

The reintroduction of Sergio Canales to the squad will be eagerly anticipated by los Racinguistas’ fans, but the teenage ace will have to prove his worth once again. Having exploded onto the scene with a series of brilliant performances in the early stages of the season, the youngster has had trouble replicating such productive showings in recent times and will want to produce a big performance on Sunday.

Villarreal

Diego Godin is expected to play a key role in the run-in for Villarreal. The Uruguayan centre-back showed his proficiency in attacking situations last weekend, with a cheeky finish to put the Yellow Submarine ahead, but it will be his ability in the middle of the rearguard that will be most closely scrutinised on Sunday. If he is solid, Villarreal probably won’t lose.

PREDICTION

Sunday’s encounter promises to be fascinating because Racing tend to struggle so much at home, while Villarreal are no better on the road. The home team are in desperate need of the points, but the visitors’ form suggests they are likelier to grab them.

Racing Santander 0-2 Villarreal