KAMPALA: A growing injury list is threatening to derail Barcelona’s bid to recapture the Liga Santander crown they last won three seasons ago. Jules Kounde, Hector Bellerin, Ronaldo Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Frank Kessie are unavailable for selection when manager Xavi Hernandez plots a response to Blaugrana’s 0-1 Champions League setback at Inter Milan against Celta Vigo.
Unbeaten Barcelona sit atop La Liga standings on goal difference but are in danger of falling out of Champions League contention following consecutive losses to Bayern Munich and Inter. Xavi will thus have next Wednesday’s make or break fixture at home to Inter Milan on his mind when he selects his starting line up for Sunday’s game.
Blaugrana’s eternal enemies Real Madrid can take temporary possession of the number one slot when they travel to fast improving Getafe on Saturday night. Los Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti will demand a riposte after last week’s one-all draw with Osasuna saw the record champions surrender table leadership to their Camp Nou based rivals.
Thrown into the deep end following Julen Lopetegui’s marching orders, newly recruited Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli must earn his stripes when the Andalusians host Athletic Bilbao at the Ramon Picquan Sanchez Stadium. Ernesto Valderde’s visitors are currently third whereas Sevilla are threatened by relegation as a result of the club’s worst start to a season in two decades.
Liga Santander action commences on Friday night with high flying Osasuna locking horns with Valencia on Friday night. Atletico Madrid host Girona on Saturday with boss Diego Simeone fully aware he cannot allow his players to indulge in the profligacy that has witnessed the Wanda Metropolitano outfit suffer Champions League losses to rank outsiders Bayer Leverkusen and Club Brugge.
FRIDAY
Osasuna v Valencia
SATURDAY
Almeria v Rayo Vallecano,
Sevilla v Athletic Bilbao,
Getafe v Real Madrid
SUNDAY
Real Valladolid v Real Betis,
Cadiz v Espanyol,
Real Sociedad v Villarreal,
Barcelona v Celta Vigo
MONDAY
Elche v Mallorca
