La Liga Preview: Racing Santander – Deportivo La Coruña

Racing Santander and Deportivo La Coruña meet this Sunday with both sides eager to put an end to respective records, at home and away from home. For the hosts a victory would be the first time they have won in front of their own fans this season whilst for Deportivo a win would be their first three points on the road this campaign. Whatever the outcome it’s fair to say that a draw won’t be a great outcome for either side…

European Hangover

Racing Santander were one of the surprise packages in La Liga last time as they pushed both Atlético Madrid and Sevilla close in fourth and fifth respectively, but this season they seem to be suffering from that success. The loss of manager Marcelino to Real Zaragoza seems to have taken its toll and likewise the fact that they have had to focus on European competition rather than just the domestic front.

So far new manager Juan Ramón López Muñiz has overseen just one victory in the league and that came in their previous match against a very poor Osasuna side. That game aside they have picked up two points thanks to impressive draws against both Barcelona and Sevilla but have struggled elsewhere. In Europe they have been far from convincing as they beat FC Honka 1-0 in either leg of the qualifier to progress and the feeling is that after been drawn in a very tough group they might be better off focusing on the league rather than the UEFA Cup.

That would of course make the efforts of last season nearly worthless but at the end of the day Racing look a shadow of the side that earned this European foray and if they lose key men in Europe they will find it hits them hard in the league. Upfront especially they have hardly been prolific having scored 4 goals in six La Liga matches and an injury to a striker would simply pile on the misery for López Muñiz.

Luckily for Racing their visitors this Sunday have struggled this season too, both in the UEFA Cup and in La Liga, where since beating Real Madrid on the opening day they have won just one more game, and that was their previous one. That victory against newly promoted Numancia was far from impressive and like Racing they have really struggled to deal with European competition and find themselves exactly half way up the table at the moment.

Against SK Brann in the UEFA Cup they will count themselves extremely fortunate to have progressed after winning in a penalty shootout but they appear to have been drawn in a decent group and could progress further. The worry for them though is exactly like their opponents this Sunday they have really struggled to score goals and the fans must be wishing back the days of Diego Tristán and Roy Makaay.

Double Trouble

With both teams struggling to find the back of the net this game doesn’t exactly scream out goal-fest but at the same time there is little doubt that both managers will be keen for a win here. Miguel Ángel Lotina will be more than aware of the fixture list and after a tricky trip to CSKA Moscow this Thursday they definitely have chances to rack up some points with this match against Racing possibly been the perfect start.

The Deportivo manager will also be keen to see his side grab their first away win of the season although López Muñiz is likely to be praying that his side can finally win at home to spare him an unwelcome reception come the final whistle. So far they have drawn with Sevilla in El Sardinero and lost to both Real Madrid and Mallorca, now they need to win to boost their points tally before some tough matches.

Unlike Depor who only appear to have one really difficult UEFA Cup match Racing have a whole host, with Twente the first this Thursday, then Schalke, PSG and Manchester City. For that very reason a win here is desperately needed and the fans will no doubt be fully behind their team as they prepare for a difficult few months both in Spain and in Europe.

FORM GUIDE

Racing Santander

Oct 5 Osasuna 0-1 Racing (La Liga)

Oct 2 FC Honka 0-1 Racing (UEFA Cup)

Sep 28 Racing 1-2 Mallorca (La Liga)

Sep 24 Villarreal 2-0 Racing (La Liga)

Sep 21 Racing 0-2 Real Madrid (La Liga)


Deportivo

Oct 5 Deportivo 1-0 Numancia (La Liga)

Oct 2 Deportivo 2-0 SK Brann (UEFA Cup)

Sep 28 Valencia 4-2 Deportivo (La Liga)

Sep 24 Osasuna 0-0 Deportivo (La Liga)

Sep 21 Deportivo 0-0 Mallorca(La Liga)


TEAM NEWS

Racing Santander

Following the international break it looks as though López Muñiz will have a near fully fit squad to choose from for this match with Mohammed Tchite fighting to be included in the line-up after recovering from injury. He could well play upfront alongside Óscar Serrano whilst defender Oriol Lozano will not take part as he is out for three weeks.

Jonthan has been one of Racing’s best players so far this year but if both Tchite and Serrano start he could find himself moved back to a less forward role. That would suggest an ambitious formation and with the team needing goals it would not be a surprise if they did play to attack.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Toño – Garay, Racen, Pinillos, Moratón – Colsa, Valera, Luccin, Jonathan – Tchite, Serrano

Deportivo

Much like Racing Deportivo have been helped out by the international break and they will more than likely be able to pick their strongest eleven for this match. Lotina will probably have one eye on CSKA Moscow in the week but resting players for that encounter seems highly unlikely.

The manager has a few options to choose from upfront, with Omar Bravo, Mista, Andrés Guardado and Riki all vying for a place. Any one or two of those could start but with Guardado and Bravo both returning from international duty it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mista or Riki played from the beginning.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Aranzubía – Lopo, Kasmirski, Pablo, Colotto – Lafita, Rodríguez, Álvarez, Guardado – Mista, Riki


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Racing Santander

Both these sides will be desperate for their strikers to start scoring goals and Óscar Serrano could be just the man to do that for Racing. The Spaniard has never been prolific but he has hit the net on more than one key occasion and most importantly he has weighed in with his fair share of assists. There is no doubt that he has ample support around him and that in Tchite he has a willing partner so on Sunday Muñiz will be banking on him to find the net for the first time this season.

Deportivo

If the strikers could score like midfielder Lafita then Deportivo would be in no trouble but the problem is that they can’t at the moment. The young Spaniard has only started one game and come off the bench in three but he has scored two goals already and won the game for his side against Numancia. Signed from Real Zaragoza two seasons ago he didn’t have much of an impact last year but this time around there are signs he could be a key player if given the chance.


PREDICTION

It’s hard to see this match featuring too many goals although there is little doubt that both managers will be keen to win and bury their poor home and away records. For Racing the pressure really is on them bearing in mind they are in front of their fans and they have been less than impressive so far. The worry is it is hard to see where goals are going to come from whereas for Deportivo they do at least have a few quality strikers. It’s unlikely to be anything other than low scoring and it would be no surprise were these two teams to not help each other out by drawing.

Racing Santander 0-0 Deportivo La Coruña


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