Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

O&N HOME | NFL MLB NBA NHL NCAAF NCAABk Nascar Golf Soccer Tennis Boxing Horse Racing All Sports

SOCCER-SPAIN Home | Live Odds | Scoreboard | Standings |

Sevilla starts brutal stretch against Valencia

Fri 21st, November 2008

Seville, Spain (Sports Network) - Sevilla defender Fernando Navarro is proud of his club's strong start, but realizes this Saturday's match against Valencia is the first in a seven-match stretch that will decide if he's playing for a title contender.

Sevilla started the La Liga season unbeaten in seven straight (5-0-2) and after a short two-game skid, has bounced back with two more wins. The successful run has the club fifth in the standings - and even on points with Valencia and Real Madrid.

The schedule has been pretty kind to Sevilla so far, though, and Navarro knows the team has a lot to prove beginning this weekend at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. In the next six weeks, matches with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal follow - four more teams in the top six.

"Now we measure ourselves up against big teams, of our category, and it is very important to play at home because the fans can help us achieve the victory," he said at a press conference Thursday. "We are within the top five ... we have a good cushion of points and know we will se if we are ready or not to compete among the great."

Navarro, who has played twice for Spain, described this weekend's clash against third-place Valencia as a "game of power versus power."

Sevilla has been impressive defensively, allowing just eight goals through 11 matches. Goalie Andres Palop has been between the posts for all of those games and the 35-year-old has seven shutouts.

Frederic Kanoute leads the club in La Liga with four goals, but Luis Fabiano is hitting his stride and seems set to help Sevilla break out of its scoring funk.

Fabiano scored three goals in Brazil's 6-2 win over Portugal this week, and has three goals in La Liga. After scoring 24 goals in league play - and seven more in the Champions League - last season, his resurgence may be coming at a great time for Sevilla.

Navarro said Valencia is a "team that is very complete in all its line-ups."

Valencia struggled last season in La Liga, eventually finishing 10th, but Unai Emery has the team back in contention for the league title. The club opened the season 6-0-2, but has struggled with two losses in its last three.

Spain striker David Villa remains Valencia's top scoring threat. He has scored 11 goals and added two assists in league play. Mata has been the playmaker with five goals and seven assists.

Although Valencia's defense has been quite as strong as Sevilla's, 23-year-old goalie Renan has allowed just 12 goals - just over one per match - and has six shutouts.

Both clubs enter the weekend five points behind first-place Barcelona, making a win even more important. Even more so for Sevilla, especially with its upcoming schedule - starting with Barca next week.

Also Saturday, Villarreal will try to remain unbeaten when it hosts Valladolid, which upset Real Madrid last week. Real Madrid will try to bounce back when it hosts Recreativo.

On Sunday, Barcelona will try to open its lead when it hosts Getafe, Numancia hosts Atletico Madrid, Racing hosts Espanyol, Mallorca hosts Malaga, Sporting Gijon hosts Real Betis, Deportivo hosts Athletic Bilbao and winless Osasuna hosts Almeria.