La liga matchweek 3 preview: Ronaldo and Messi look to get among the goals

After the successful completion of international duties, players and staff of Spanish La liga will resume this weekend as top teams look to take charge of the league table early on while some other teams will want to leave the relegation zone.

The pick of this weekend fixtures will be at Vicente Calderon where Atlético Madrid will host defending Champions Barcelona, the match is expected to be the key fixture of week 3 as Diego Simeone’s men will want to challenge for the title this season.

The attacking prowess of Antoine Griezmann, Fernado Torres and Jackson Martinez will have to be at the very best if Athletico Madrid will get one over Barcelona. However, Barcelona will have much to do as they have struggled to score goals early in the season, the European Champions have scored only twice in the first two matches and will hope the combination of Messi, Suarez and Neymar will help the Catalan team secure maximum points against Atletico Madrid.

Luis Enrique will definitely hope Claudio Bravo’s injury will not affect the good defensive record they have so far with no goals conceded in the first two matches.

Real Madrid’s 5-0 win against Real Betis moved them to 5th on the table after they struggled in their 0-0 draw away at Sporting Gijon on matchday 1. Real Madrid will travel to Espanyol in a tricky tie for Rafael Benitez’s men.

Last season top goal scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to find the back of the net this season but Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema did enough against Betis to confirm there is little or no problem in Benitez’s attacking line-up.

The biggest blow for Real Madrid will be the absence of playmaker James Rodriguez and Brazilian defender Danilo due to injuries picked up on international duties.

Espanyol, currently placed 8th on the log will want to take points off Real Madrid in front of their fans. The importance of the match cannot be overestimated as Real Madrid’s title rivals lock heads at the Calderon.

With a goal and two assists on matchday 2, Roberto Soldado seems to be getting back to his best with Villareal and the ‘Yellow Submarines’ will be hoping the Spanish striker will be at his best when they travel to Granada this weekend. Granada who has Nigerian striker Isaac Success in their team will also want to build on their away win at Getafe.

Sevilla will travel to Levante with their last match ending in an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to Athletico Madrid, Fernando Llorente will be expected to lead the line for Sevilla as Unai Emery’s men will look to get their first goal of the season.

Eibar together with CeltaVigo are currently the league leaders with 6 points and a goal difference of 4, both teams will look to maintain their place at the top. While CeltaVigo will face Las Palmas at home, Eibar will have a tougher task as they will be visiting La Rosaleda, home of Malaga CF.

In other matches, Athletic Bilbao will host Getafe while Real Betis will want to return to winning ways as they host David Moyes’ Real Sociedad.  

Sporting Gijon will also host Valencia as Nuno Santo’s men will fight for their first win of the season.

The race for Pichichi is also on even though the big names are yet to find their feet. Antoine Griezmann who is hopong to match Ronaldo and Messi’s exploit has a goal to his name. Villareal’s Roberto Soldado, Real Madrid’s duo of Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez together with Adrian Gonzalez of Eibar, Cedric Bakambu of Villareal and Nolito of CeltaVigo all lead the goal scoring chart with two goals to their names.

Written by @zikson_b