We're set for another week of cracking action in La Liga, so who better to look ahead to the five live games on Sky Sports than our Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
If you've got a question for Guillem, send it in here.
Sporting Gijon v Barcelona
Deportivo v Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid v Malaga
Sevilla v Valencia
Rooney is going nowhere, according to Guillem
Sporting Gijon v Barcelona
7.00pm, Sat, Sky Sports 4
Sporting are a team who play very open, offensive football. It is great to watch and they are also very aggressive in their pressing of the ball, but they haven't been scoring goals. Mate Bilic is only just back from injury and the strikers have not been on form, which will play into the hands of Barcelona.
They are playing just one game a week at the moment. They are doing very well but the fear is that playing just once a week you would on one hand make it clear who the best XI are - which will affect the form of the substitutes - and secondly you will lose the rhythm of competition. If you make a mistake in one game it takes a whole week to correct it. Mangers prefer to have a game every three or four games so they can make changes and improve the team. But that's for another time - they are favourites here.
Deportivo v Real Madrid
9.00pm, Sat, Sky Sports 4
It is a sad story about Filipe Luis and his injury. He will be out for about six months after breaking his ankle. It is sad because he had a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid, who were willing to pay 15m euros. For Deportivo that was essential, they needed that money to continue at this level, he was the jewel in their crown. Without him they are not going to be able to get that money and are going to have to just survive with loan deals. So it was not brilliant for them and not brilliant for him. He was on the verge of breaking into the Brazil national side and is now going to miss the World Cup.
Cristiano will also be missing after his sending off against Malaga. It was the second sending off of his Madrid career and there was a touch of arrogance when Cristiano reacts in the way he did, by elbowing the player. Yes, he didn't mean to elbow him in the nose and break his nose, but it was like 'don't touch me, I should be allowed to make my run' and I think he has to learn and realise and follow Lionel Messi a little bit - when Messi gets fouled he stops or continues, but without being aggressive about it.
Atletico Madrid v Malaga
7.00pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
Atletico will, for the rest of the season, be completely irregular and unpredictable. They don't control games and when you don't control games it can go one way or the other. It can go in your favour if your forwards are effective or you can lose it if your one defensive midfielder gets himself sent off - as happened in their previous game.
Malaga do not have a lot of quality but they've made a lot out of it. They've only lost by more than one goal to Barcelona and Real Madrid this season - but will that be enough to survive? That depends on Zaragoza and Xerez - who are really struggling - as well as Tenerife, who I think will find it difficult to improve. So Malaga may just make it but they will definitely be battling with the bottom three at the end of the season.
Sevilla v Valencia
6.00pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
What a great game this will be! It will be one for Sevilla to improve in because they have had problems at home. They hadn't won at home in four games before beating Valladolid and Valladolid dominated most of the game.
Valencia played away against Tenerife and only drew 0-0. Alongside Barcelona they are the best away team but they will need a bit more from Silva and Villa, who were disappointing against Tenerife. Even if those two are on form, though, they will face one of the best defensive partnerships in the league in Julien Escude and Ivica Dragutinovic, who have been outstanding for Sevilla lately.
Guillem answers your questions...
Got a question for Guillem? Then send it in here or use the feedback form below, and then look out for his answer next week.
WHAT'S THE MATA?
Hola Guillem. In one of your columns you put that Valencia were more willing to sell Silva and Villa as they see Juan Mata as the man to lead them. From what I have seen this year I haven't been that impressed by him. It might be that I am just catching games where he hasn't shone but he drifts in and out of matches too much from what I have seen. Personally I would have thought that Silva would be the one they would want to keep? Ever Banega is the player I have been most impressed with this season. Do you think he will be there next season and will he manage to work his way into the Argentina squad or starting 11? Shaun T (Rangers fan)
GUILLEM SAYS: The decision to get rid of Silva and Villa is actually a business decision. If they can get Real Madrid to buy Silva and Barca to buy Villa, for instance, that will pay about 60m euros. They need 40m euros this summer so 60m euros will free them from some debt, but their debt is huge - it is not the only thing they will have to do, but is key to their future.
Mata, being younger, and with a much smaller contract in terms of wages, is easier to keep. He hasn't been at his best this season - he had a great but has come down a little bit. However, he is only 21.
Ever Banega has been fantastic. According to his manager he can only last about 70 minutes and then after that his level drops but yes, I do actually think he could make it into the Argentina XI. Diego Maradonna is looking for someone to play alongside Javier Mascherano - a much more creative player - and that could be Banega.
WILL THEY STAY?
Hi Guillem I'm a big fan of La Liga and was interested to know do you think, if Valencia qualify for the Champions League, Villa and Silva might stay? Aaron Walker (Liverpool fan)
GUILLEM SAYS: Basically, I think not. The club want to sell and the players want to go after the World Cup but then you have to have the offers. I think Silva will be wanted by both Real Madrid and Barcelona but let's see about Villa.
He told me in an interview for The Times and my web page www.guillembalague.com that he is learning English and he would like to try and play abroad.
It's a very interesting one and I don't see a clear destination for him just yet. There have been rumours Real Madrid have an agreement but their chairman Florentino Perez denied them to me.
LASS ON HIS WAY?
Hola Guillem. You mentioned on Revista this week that Madrid are looking to replace the positions of Diarra and Marcelo in the summer, does this mean they're looking to sell the fan favourite that is Lass or do they want further strength in depth? Stuart Oxlade (Real Madrid fan)
GUILLEM SAYS: The top people at the club - I won't mention names - think those are the positions to replace - Marcelo by Silva and Diarra by Cesc Fabregas, for instance, but I'm not saying that is going to happen.
However, that would be the kind of thing they would like to match the quality of the midfield at Barcelona. That is an idea not from manger - he doesn't pick players - but from people at the top of the club who choose those players.
ROO TO REAL?
I think if Barcelona get Wayne Rooney in the summer they would be unstoppable! Have you heard of any rumours relating to Wayne Rooney leaving United in the summer? David O'Callaghan (Barcelona fan)
GUILLEM SAYS: I have spoken to Barcelona and Real Madrid and they are not interested in Wayne Rooney. They say he is not in their plans at all. It is quite interesting these rumours about Real Madrid and Barcelona come up when he is re-negotiating his contract, isn't it?
Comments (42)
Ben Mooney (Manchester United fan) says...
i have 2 say there have been some ridiculous comments on this forum. carl griffin saying real should buy jermaine Beckford and joe kenyon suggesting they get titus bramble! i couldnt imagine titus bramble playing alongside alonso, ramos and co
Posted 22:00 28th January 2010
Scott Cairns (Rangers fan) says...
im a big valencia fan too and i realise the debt the club are in but i realyy would hate too see david villa go as im going to valencia this year to watch them and stay for a few nights and david villa is my favourite player in the world i would be sad to see the BEST striker in the world leave
Posted 20:07 28th January 2010
Pulen Moodley (Barcelona fan) says...
Hi Guilem.I am an ardent La Liga fan.technical,skillful and spectacular league by far.Incomparable.I enjoy the commentary and the punditry incl your contribution.No jibes about "the best","Great","world class" which infects every other sentence when your premier league contemporaries go on about Premier League games.Happens all too often. Barca for the La Liga title and the Champions League!
Posted 18:12 28th January 2010
Mark Mckenna (Valencia fan) says...
as a Valencia fan im very fearful of our financial situation yet the loss of Villa and Silva is for me a huge let down.if we are to make the champions league this season i would not see us getting past the group stages without the two best players we have had in a long time since players like Angulo,Ayala and Cañizares.Emrey has already made a few good signings but i do not think that he could find suitable replacements for either of them.
Posted 15:34 28th January 2010
Josh Davies (Manchester United fan) says...
To be perfectly honest, Rooney's career would go downhill if he went to Spain, he's to aggressive and powerful he'd be getting booked all the time, and that just wouldn't help at all, in the Red Shirt of United and in the Premier League is where Wayne Rooney belongs...
Posted 15:14 28th January 2010
Barrie Jackson (Manchester United fan) says...
Let's hope Real Madrid sell Benzema to Man Utd to link up with Rooney, now that would be better. Antone interested in Burbatov? Please!!
Posted 15:04 28th January 2010
Liam Ormrod (Manchester United fan) says...
As response to the comments of Allan Heron (Elgin City fan). How can you actually talk football if you don't believe Rooney to be world class. I know you support Elgin city and there best player is the local milkman and yet you probably think he is world class, do us a favour mate and give your head a wobble!!!
Posted 13:50 28th January 2010
Liam Ormrod (Manchester United fan) says...
I don't think there is a cats chance in hell Rooney will ever leave Manchester United, as he has stated that he wants to play his full career here and become a United legend, a wish that I think he will fur fill!!!
Posted 13:45 28th January 2010
Dan Owen (Manchester United fan) says...
Allan Heron - you clearly know nothing about football, what a ridiculous comment! I doubt that you've even seen Rooney play from what you've said?? NOT good enough? Shocking!
Posted 11:44 28th January 2010
Hazzard Ahead (Rangers fan) says...
If Fergie lets Rooney go to 1 of Spains big 2 it will only be for the money as Man U seem to be in debt for millions
Posted 11:37 28th January 2010
Allan Heron (Elgin City fan) says...
in response to all the comments about rooney being so great, he is simply NOT good enough to play for real and barca, as guillem says "I have spoken to Barcelona and Real Madrid and they are not interested in Wayne Rooney". anyone who is good enough technically and mentally will one day end up at Real or Barca, and rooney is not world class.
Posted 23:20 27th January 2010
Billy Allen (Real Madrid fan) says...
As a madrid fan i would love to have rooney playing for us. But i just dont think he would do aswell in the spanish league cause its a differant type of football. Wayne should stay at united, cause thats were he is best.
Posted 18:38 27th January 2010
Hemison Brown (Arsenal fan) says...
i think Rooney and ribery should go to real Madrid that way they can have rooney and Benzema up front and kaka ribery alonso and ronaldo in mid field they would be a really good team and that way Rooney will be out arsenal of beating Manchester untied and going on top of the premier league .
Posted 18:14 27th January 2010
Aimen Issa (Manchester United fan) says...
Hi Guillem If Man Utd are to keep pace with Barcelona, I believe they'll need to sign a few creative players (replicating barca's philosophy to a less degree). With that in mind, can you see them getting david silva or will barca/madrid snap him up? Besides silva, there doesnt seem to be many of this type of player available who could make a difference, except maybe modric. Thanks
Posted 14:50 27th January 2010
Joe Kenyon (Liverpool fan) says...
I think real need to tighten up at the back they need a player with pace and who is a leader of men, I know he didnt have the best of starts to his career but i think titus bramble now would be a great signing and also a cheap one.
Posted 14:04 27th January 2010
Carl Griffin (Liverpool fan) says...
I think real should buy beckford and replace him for raul as there the same type of player!
Posted 07:38 27th January 2010
Rami Ghebrekidus (Manchester United fan) says...
If Rooney move's , only If he .. he will never be Ibra's Sub no club in the world would let roon sit on the bench Wayne is a Red Devil and as long SAF is there he will move nowhere ...
Posted 06:34 27th January 2010
Royston Vagramberg (Manchester United fan) says...
I think if Rooney wanted to leave United he would have taken the chance five seasons back. Just after the EURO 2004 he was on top with Cristiano Ronaldo. All the big clubs were showing there interest in him, including Real Madrid. But chose United. I don't think he will leave us.
Posted 06:07 27th January 2010
Toks Oni (Manchester United fan) says...
Why did Real Madrid only commented after Rooney has spoke? Typical!!! Always trying to unsettle other teams
Posted 22:18 26th January 2010
Stuart Oxlade (Real Madrid fan) says...
Guillem, thanks for answering my question for me. I certainly hope they don't get rid of Diarra, as there's no chance that Fabregas will put in the same relentless defensive effort that he contributes to the side. Besides, if we play like we did against Malaga again in the future, no one will want to join Madrid anyway, it was appalling to watch, aside from 2 moments of brilliance from "Mr Untouchable" himself. Gracias.
Posted 16:44 26th January 2010
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