The mercifully rare midweek preview - Round 36

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Wednesday

Betis (12th) v Valladolid (14th)

Today's the day when the Beticos roll up their sleeves, scrunch up their eyes and endure a 90-minute long Chinese burn from the bully boys of the Spanish footballing authorities.

Today's the day when they finally get around to playing their home away from home game in La Cartuja. Not such a bad deal considering the stadium is not that far away, has been painted in the last century and that Betis were able to choose when and how they wanted to take their punishment.

But all this wasn't enough to stop the pint-sized Paco Chaparro moaning about the whole shebang. "It's possible that playing at La Cartuja could favour (Valladolid). I'm sure that 30,000 will be there," complained the man who definitely can't get no satisfaction.

Draw.

Getafe (13th) v Almería (8th)

The fans will be absent in their droves, as they have been all season. Big Bernd Schuster has paid a visit. And everyone at Getafe has been handed their scripts ahead of an encounter which could see the home side safe as houses should they win. Or in deep, deep doggy do.

"We're not afraid, but we are concerned," confessed Pato on Monday. And it's a emotion shared by Michael Laudrup who told the press on Tuesday that "there is no fear. But everyone is a bit concerned."

Fear is definitely not being felt in the Almería camp, a side who still have a midge's microwave of a chance (Humphrey Lyttelton RIP) of qualifying for Europe. "If we get into the UEFA Cup then there'll be a party. If not, we will have one anyway," promised Beastie Boy boss Unai Emery.

Draw.

Deportivo (9th) v Levante (20th)

Did anyone else out there suspect that the recent promises to pay the Levante squad were a lot of old hokum? Then give yourselves a big pat on the back.

The eight million euro credit line which was offered by a financial institution to the impoverished players - an action which averted a strike against Recre - has been withdrawn, leaving the Levante squad back at square one and not very happy, according to AS.

"There are a lot of non-sporting concerns and players out of action," sighed manager José Angel, looking ahead to a match against a team with the joys of the Intertoto cup in their sights.

Draw.

Racing Santander (5th) v Sevilla (6th)

Despite having been in the papers "having signed or not signed a contract" every day, according to the man in the maelstrom himself, Marcelino is more than a little irked that this crunch encounter is not making bigger footballing waves as it's a game which could well see one of these two clubs pulling a Fernando Alonso and dropping out of the race for the Champions League.

"The match hasn't been given the importance it deserves," complained the Racing coach - especially by the fans who are set to stay away from Sardinero. "We have to have a public totally behind their team, like what happened with Murcia. I find it difficult to understand why it's not the case," complained the Racing boss.

Draw.

Thursday

Espanyol (10th) v Atlético Madrid (4th)

Another normal week in the life of Atlético Madrid. Another week of Javier Aguirre staying / going stories. And another fine for the club's authorities - this time a 3,000 euro sanction for the racial abuse of Recre's Florent Sinama-Pongolle last Saturday. And another round of press conferences of players saying that there are five / four / three finals left until the end of the season.

This time round it was Maxi, who confessed on Tuesday that "to go back to hearing the name of Atlético amongst the greats will be amazing."

Espanyol could not give two hoots about Atletico's dreams and are set to boycott the Montjuic encounter, according to one anonymous supporter in Marca. "The players don't deserve the fans that they have."