Real Madrid V Racing Santander
Saturday, 23rd October – 19:00 GMT
Spanish Primera Division
After a low, lethargic start to the season Real Madrid are beginning to show genuine signs that they really are champions in the makings; champions elect some might say. It has been two years since they last clinched the La Liga crown, which is far too long in the Spanish capital especially as in the previous two seasons it’s been resting in fierce rivals Barcelona’s trophy cabinet.
Competing on all fronts shouldn’t be too much of a problem barring injuries, with the UEFA Champions League certainly a priority for one of Europe’s most astute managers in Jose Mourinho, who claims he’s defending ‘HIS’ Champions League crown with a Madrid side who haven’t even progressed to the quarter-finals for something like six years. So there is certainly no shortage of confidence inside the Madrid dressing room, nor is there a lack of supremely talented individuals.
Domestically however, Real are desperate to win back their crown after two barren seasons without it. Just three points separated them from champions Barcelona last season come the climax, so there were already huge signs of progression in place before even the likes of Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Jose Mourinho, people who have made such a difference already; adding a winning mentality and a ruthless attacking edge to a team which had been deprived of both traits previously.
Just seven games into the season and the Galacticos are already setting an unrelenting pace at the top of the table. Two blips away at Real Mallorca (0-0) and Levante (0-0) have so far been the only blemishes result wise. In terms of entertaining performances, it took a while before Madrid’s team of superstars finally clicked and started spanking teams all over the shot.
The breakthrough came just recently in fact, when struggling Deportivo had their relegation woes deepened by a 6-1 hammering at the Bernabeu at the very beginning of the month. Christiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil in particular were sensational in that match, and when you have starring attractions like Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain around them, it really is a formidable sight for any opponent. Next time out, after two weeks away due to the international break, Real were at it again as once again the big boys came to the fore and delivered yet another message of intent, that this season will be dictated by Jose Mourinho’s merciless charges, beating the Andalusians comprehensively away from home in a 4-1 victory which had seen Madrid accumulate a total of ten goals in just their last two La Liga fixtures.
If anyone needed proof that things were beginning to pick up, and that Real are racing through the gears, then Real’s ferocious start in Wednesday’s Champions League clash with AC Milan should suffice. Goals from Ronaldo, who else, and Ozil within the opening 15 minutes of the game effectively ended the contest before it had barely even begun. And that is increasingly becoming a foothold to where Madrid can then build offensively from, that early goal. In three out of their last four La Liga games, Madrid have opened the scoring before the break and as a result have found goals much easier to come by when the spaces which weren’t previously available at the back begin to peel open.
On Saturday Real Madrid take on Racing Santander, a club threatened by relegation because of their inconsistent nature. They are, though, are a side which will probably avoid the drop purely on the basis that they can produce a win from out of the blue, but not against the best sides. Lying 16th in the table, Racing have won just two of their opening seven La Liga fixtures, four of which were disappointing defeats. 4 – The numbers of matches in the league this season alone where the team haven’t even troubled their opponents in front of goal, drawing blanks at Valencia and Villarreal, as well as at home against Barcelona and Getafe. And considering they were victorious last weekend at home to Almeria, the signs aren’t good as Santander are now well overdue another defeat.
On the plus side for the visitors, their defensive record isn’t half-bad. Just eight goals have been conceded in seven matches, a pretty lean statistic in fairness, and considering their start to the season has been excruciatingly tough, fixture wise, they haven’t exactly disgraced themselves. However, they’ll need to put in arguably their most industrious shift for some time if they’re to even leave the Santiago Bernabeu with a respectable scoreline, let alone a share of the spoils, as this Madrid side are rapidly racing through the gears and are destroying everything in their path as they seek out to strip Barcelona of their La Liga title.
The opening exchanges could very well be tight and scrappy, with Madrid having yet to overwhelm an opponent in the opening period this season, with the exception of AC Milan in midweek. However, Real are looking so strong in the final third that another emphatic win wouldn’t exactly be out of the question, especially if they get themselves in front early on.
Matt’s Tip: Real Madrid to WIN to NIL – 1.73 SkyBet
With Racing Santander having failed to score in four of their opening seven La Liga fixtures this season, and Madrid having kept four clean sheets in their opening seven, there’s every chance of Iker Casillas claiming yet another shut-out, what would be his third in four matches at the Bernabeu this season in La Liga, his fifth in all competitions following successive shut-outs in the Champions League against Ajax and AC Milan.
Don’t get me wrong, Real Madrid’s defence isn’t one of the strongest in Europe, but with the majority of the game seemingly spent in the oppositions third, chances for the opponent tend to be few and far between. Our only concern is that Madrid do tend to let their concentration levels slide once they hit their stride iand go sailing of into the distance with the game all but in the bag. Fortunately, and hopefully, Racing’s so far tidy back-line, one which has conceded just eight in seven this season, will restrict Real’s goalscoring prowess to just a couple as to avoid any complacency in the second period, where all three of Real’s concessions in the league this season have occurred.
Saver: Time of First Away Goal (61+ Minutes) – 4.75 WilliamHill
Other Selections:
Highest Scoring Half: Second Half – 2.00 PaddyPower
Mesut Ozil to Score from Outside the Penalty Area – 8.00 888Sport
The German play-maker is dangerous all round the pitch but is at his best just outside the opposition’s penalty area. Having scored just twice all season but possession a wicked shot from distance, Ozil will be eager to boost his tally for the season on Saturday but may well be restricted to long-range efforts by an organised and well disciplined Racing defence. He’s also 12.00 to hit the woodwork!
