Barcelona vs Racing Santander Match Preview (Spain La Liga)

Barcelona currently share the pole position with surprise package Levante - both having 14 points. The Catalans have the edge on goal difference, due to the fact that they have scored 23 goals and conceded only 4, thus far.

Racing Santander are in a totally different condition, having to fight to get out of the relegation zone. With only 4 points in 6 games, 2 losses and 4 draws, they can only hope to start and preserve what would be a useful winning streak.

Against Barcelona however, a strong line-up is very often a requirement. But all is not looking good for Santander. They will be entering the Camp Nou without the likes of loanee Lautaro Acosta and defender Osmar. The two players are reportedly victims of knee injuries.

Pep Guardiola will also have to do with few reductions on his side. Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Ibrahim Afellay are all unable to contribute this weekend. But at last, midfielder Andres Iniesta is ready for a return, as he could start on the bench.

Despite the loss of 3 of the team’s key players, Barcelona attacker Pedro Rodriguez insisted that the squad was “fully confident and in good shape.” He also promised fans that Los Cules “will be at 100% against Racing.”

The reigning champions are widely expected to maintain their unbeaten run come the final whistle on Saturday night, although should Racing cause an upset Pedro insists the international fixtures cannot be blamed. "It is always hard to get back into shape after an international break," the 24-year-old told fcbarcelona.com. "But we are training well, are fully confident, and in good shape. "Racing have a great team and we expect a good game at the Camp Nou and to keep collecting points. "Those who have been with our national teams are recovering strength, but I'm sure we'll be ready in time for this game. "Because of the travel and the minutes played it is always hard to be at one's best after playing internationals, but we are confident and will be at 100 per cent against Racing."

Chelsea vs Everton Match Preview (England Premier League)

Chelsea will be looking for their third straight win when they play host to Everton in Saturday’s late kickoff.

Third placed Chelsea are only three points behind league leading Manchester United. Everton are only two points above the bottom three after losing their last two games.

David Luiz could be rested by Chelsea after playing for Brazil twice in midweek, while Fernando Torres is suspended.

Tim Cahill and John Heitinga are injury doubts for Everton and wil be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Saturday October 15th

Chelsea v Everton

Stamford Bridge

Kick-off: 17.30 BST

TV: ESPN, Highlights BBC1 Match of the Day.

Chelsea (Probable, 4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Meireles, Lampard; Mata, Drogba, Sturridge.

Out: Essien (knee), Hilario (hip).

Test: David Luiz (fatigue).

Suspended: Torres.

Everton (Probable, 4-4-1-1): Howard' Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Osman, Fellaini, Rodwell; Cahill, Saha.

Out: Anichebe (groin).

Test: Cahill (ankle), Heitinga (knee), Rodwell, Osman (both unspecified).

Referee: Mike Jones (Matches 5, R3 Y24).

Chelsea will also be keen to improve their record against the Toffees, having won only one of their last nine Premier League meetings with the men from Merseyside.

Six of those matches have ended in draws and there have been five consecutive stalemates between the two sides at the Bridge.

While the Toffees have often taken a point from their trips to the capital, they have gone 16 games since they last left West London with a win.

David Moyes' men have struggled to pick up victories wherever they head in London of late, with eight trips having come and gone since they last headed home with maximum points.

Real Madrid vs Real Betis Match Preview (Spain La Liga)

Madrid rocketed to the third position in La Liga before the international break thanks to a well-deserved triumph over Espanyol. It represented their third victory on the trot in all competitions and their fourth win in a total of 6 matches in the Spanish Primera Division.

Ahead of Matchday 7, Real Madrid stand as the second highest scoring team with 20 goals behind league leaders Barcelona. They also boast of having one of the best defenses thus far having conceded 5 goals only.

Real Betis, meanwhile, have a 9-7 record in terms of goals scored and goals conceded. The Sevilla-based outfit kicked off so well in La Liga, picking up 4 consecutive wins.

Granada, Real Mallorca, Athletic Bilbao and Real Zaragoza all fell against the stunning power of Real Betis. However, 1-0 defeats to Getafe and Levante have forced Sevilla’s local rivals to drop out from the top 6 zone in the standings at this stage of the championship.

Nothing is lost, though. It’s certainly too early to declare that Real Betis have their foot off the pedal. Things are so tight between the first spot and the seventh rank in the Spanish Primera Division as the difference is only of 2 points. Real Betis (12) and Real Madrid (13), meanwhile, are separated by a single point.

Betis will enter Saturday’s fixture knowing that the Santiago Bernabeu is Real Madrid’s fortress. This venue is where the Spanish giants beat Getafe 4-2 and Rayo Vallecano 6-2 this season. Few are the teams that manage to trouble Real Madrid at the Bernabeu—even in all competitions. So what are the chances of Real Betis to get something out of this weekend’s match?

"I don't think of beating one team in particular and we believe in ourselves to give them a good game." Betis boss Pepe Melhas a near fully-fit squad to choose from for the trip to Madrid. Jefferson Montero, Dusko Tosic, Mario and Ruben Castro have all returned from injury with long-term absentee Nelson the only player unavailable. Madrid go into the game on the back of a three-match winning run in all competitions. A 6-2 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano lifted the gloom after a poor run and was followed up with a 3-0 defeat of Ajax in the Champions League and a 4-0 victory at Espanyol.