Cesc Fab for Barca

Guillem Balague is convinced Cesc Fabregas' time as an Arsenal player is ticking down...

Guillem breaks down the big games

Our Spanish football expert Guillem Balague is convinced Cesc Fabregas' time at Arsenal is ticking down, but for now Guillem is more interested in Espanyol's first home game of the season against Real Madrid, the pick of four live games on Sky Sports. If you've got a question for Guillem, send it in here.
Espanyol v Real Madrid
Sevilla v Zaragoza
Getafe v Barcelona
Valladolid v Valencia

Espanyol v Real Madrid
7.00pm, Saturday, Sky Sports Xtra

Espanyol will have for the first time in 12 years a full stadium at home, and I mean full of Espanyol fans. In the past at the old stadium that wasn't the case, there were lots of Real Madrid and Barcelona fans when those sides visited. The atmosphere is now completely different, as we saw when Espanyol played Liverpool in a pre-season friendly and beat them 3-0. However, this Real Madrid are far more balanced than people say, the two centre midfielders in Lassana Diarra and Xabi Alonso give an order and pattern to the side that not many other midfielders in the world can do. I think it can be compared to the midfield of Barcelona and maybe the Carrick/Scholes midfield combination of two years ago. With that in mind, plus a back four that has not played together yet with the returns of Pepe and Sergio Ramos, it's going to concede less goals than people think and they only need half a chance to score up front. So maybe the gap between Madrid and the lesser sides like Espanyol has become bigger, but where Madrid will still be hurt is when they travel to Sevilla, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and of course Barcelona. But I'll take Madrid in this one.

Sevilla v Zaragoza
9.00pm, Saturday, Sky Sports Xtra

It's going to be interesting to see Jermaine Pennant, who is fit contrary to reports. He became the most important player on the pitch in the opening game as Zaragoza beat Tenerife. Zaragoza are employing a high defence and winning balls early in order to counter at pace using Pennant down the right. Sevilla already have voices against the manager because there is a clash between the chairman's words on winning the league and the style of football they practised in the defeat to Valencia last week. Sevilla were very poor, only managing one shot on goal in about the 86th minute of the match. This is a hugely important game for Sevilla, I wonder if Zaragoza will take it on the counter.

Getafe v Barcelona
11.00pm highlights, Saturday, Sky Sports Xtra

It's lovely to see Real Madrid legend Michel in charge of a team and playing the football he always said he would play. He's playing a 4-3-3 where the star is actually Dani Parejo, the former QPR loanee who Alfredo Di Stefano always said he enjoyed watching in the Madrid B side. Getafe face a Barcelona side who should be a little tired. They decided to play on Saturday in order to give themselves more time to rest for the Inter game, but of course this week they have only trained with about four or five players due to international duty. I wonder if Getafe might take advantage of that.

Valladolid v Valencia
7.00pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1 (first half on red button)

Valladolid is a strange club who keep renewing the contract of manager Mendilibar when things are going wrong! They were bottom of the table a couple of years ago when he got a three-year deal, and now they want to renew that contract again even though some of his signings have been questioned, added to the fact they finished last season so poorly. In the second half of last season they were the club who amassed the lowest number of points. Despite all of that, they trust the manager and want him to become the Sir Alex Ferguson of Valladolid. Valencia on the other hand, continue to work their financial miracle, a miracle that means they will start with David Silva - who was extraordinary for Spain, and David Villa - who was extraordinary for Spain. If they had a better midfield that worked hard defensively and created goals, a few more like Banega, I think this Valencia side would be top three.

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. BARCA'S FORGOTTEN MAN
Hi Guillem, I would just like to ask a quick question about Barcelona. Everyone seems to have forgotten about Gabi Milito. When is he set to return from his injury? Also do you think letting the likes of Hleb leave on loan and selling Gudjohnsen were wise moves as it leaves them short for options on the bench? Assad GUILLEM SAYS: Gabi Milito is a bit of a mystery. When it looked like he would be back in the summer, the doctors announced there was a setback and nobody is willing to put a time to it. There are some suggestions that he may have to retire. Of course the sporting director of Real Madrid Jorge Valdano made the most out of it, claiming we are now seeing the reason why Madrid did not sign Milito a few years ago, but that is unfair. Milito has played four seasons since Madrid tried to sign him, and to be fair to Valdano he has since come out and denied he said those things. Letting Hleb leave on loan and selling Gudjohnsen was very wise, even though I consider myself a friend of Gudjohnsen and Hleb. Hleb didn't feel he had the confidence of the manager so he needed a new challenge, and Gudjohnsen was in a similar situation. He tried to help last season but he wasn't allowed, so it was time to move and create more chances for the younger players at Barcelona. Keep an eye on Jonathan, Jeffren and Pedro this season. NOT SUCH A FAB DEAL
Hello there Guillem, my question is this: Cesc Fabregas is a player contracted to Arsenal FC, do you think what Barcelona are doing is morally correct, constantly talking about bringing Cesc back to the Camp Nou? Is this not foul play by trying to unsettle a player and secondly do you think Cesc will decide to leave Arsenal? Abu Yeashah (Arsenal fan) GUILLEM SAYS: I'm convinced that Barcelona are talking up the possibility of Cesc Fabregas joining the club because they understand either from the player or the family that this is what he wants to do. I can see Cesc arriving at Barcelona in a year, two at most. Is it morally correct? In England there is less necessity for clubs to talk up which players they want to sign. In Spain there are four sports newspapers to be filled, and if they get a lead that (theoretically) Cesc wants to join Barcelona, these papers will push it and push it and push it, and if they get half an answer they will exploit it and get a cover. Partly yes it is Barcelona talking about it when really they shouldn't. But they are also being forced by a media that is always hungry for stories. STARS IN THEIR EYES
Guillem, who is the one young player you are predicting to really make a name for himself this season in La Liga? Wayne Hayes (Liverpool fan) GUILLEM SAYS: As well as the usual offenders, Muniain at Athletic Bilbao. He has been compared to Lionel Messi, although he is definitely not Messi! But he is someone who will come on from the bench, score goals as he did in the qualifiers for the Europa League, and he will make an impact. He is short, quick, brave, and I really like him.