Spanish La Liga football club FC Barcelona move closer to qualifying for the First Knock-out round of the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League after posting a 2-0 victory over Scottish Premier League club Rangers FC at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain just recently.

Barcelona established an early lead in the 6th minute of the match when Barac striker Thierry Henry was able to recover a rebound from a Lionel Messi header that bounced off the post. Thierry Henry slid to put the ball in the back of the net, and give Barcelona 1 -0 advantage.

On the 43rd minute, Barca midfielder Ronaldinho was able to dribble through the defense and make a shot on the Rangers goal. Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor blocked Ronaldinho's shot, but wasn't able to stop the rebound by Barcelona Argentinian forward Lionel Messi, who scored the second goal for the Blaugrana.

The scoreline was kept at 2-0 and FC Barcelona earned 3 points to bring their points standings in Group E of the UEFA Champions League to 10 points. Barcelona are leaders of Group E followed by the Rangers with 7 points. French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon have 6 points. Should Barcelona beat Lyon on their next UEFA Champions League match, Lyon could be prevented from qualifying should Rangers defeat German Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart, who haven't earned a single point in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. There are 2 matchdays left for the group stages.

VfB Stuttgart wil play host to the Rangers on November 27. Meanwhile, Lyon will be hoping that the home pitch advantage will keep their qualifying hoeps alive when they host FC Barcelona.

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Real Madrid vs. Sevilla FC: A Battle of Champions!

Real Madrid are the Spanish La Liga Champions. Sevilla FC are champions of the UEFA Cup and the Copa Del Rey.

Before the start of the 2007-08 Spanish La Liga season, Real Madrid met with Sevilla FC to compete for the Spanish Super Cup, which is contested by the La Liga Champions and the Copa Del Rey champions. During the Spanish Super Cup, Sevilla won the first leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan Stadium in Sevilla, and then capped off the second leg on Real Madrid's home pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu with a 5-3 result to win the Spanish Super Cup.

By winning the last 2 matches against Real Madrid, Sevilla FC felt confident enough that they could do it again despite the fact that the Madristas are proving their winning form to be on top of the Spanish La Liga standings. In their recent La Liga regular season match agianst Real Madrid at the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan stadium, Sevilla FC were once again dominant in beating out the Spanish La Liga champions 2-0.

Sevilla FC found the back of the Real Madrid net in the 18th minute with a superb volley by Seydou Keita from 25 meters out to beat Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Two minutes after, Sevilla FC doubled its lead when Sevilla's Luis Fabiano managed to pick up a rebound from an Iker Casillas save to slot it into the Real Madrid goal. It was Luis Fabiano's sixth goal in four La Liga matches.

Sevilla FC coach Manolo Jimenez, who was appointed as a replacement for former Sevilla manager Juande Ramos last week, has put Sevilla in wining form since his appointment. Last week, Sevilla beat Valencia 3-0, then lost a tough contest to Atletico de Madrid on Wednesday 4-3. However, this 2-0 win against Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid is indeed an impressive result. And what's important for Sevilla FC is that they can score goals consistently.

Real Madrid's chances of getting back in the match were thwarted in the 40th minute when defender Sergio Ramos, a former Sevilla player, was ejected from the match after receiving a second yellow card. After suffering their 2nd loss in 11 matches, Real Madrid still maintain the top spot in the Spanish La Liga standings with 25 points. Barcelona and Villareal are in second place with 21 points, but might have the opportunity to close the gap with Real Madrid if they win their respective matches on Sunday, November 4. Barcelona host Real Betis at the Nou Camp while Villareal are visitors Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid's next fixture will be a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Greece Super League champions Olympiacos at the Santiago Bernabeu on November 6. The next Spanish La Liga match of Real Madrid will be at the Santiago Bernabeu against Mallorca on November 11.

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster will look to the likes of Raul Gonzalez, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robinho, Fabio Cannavaro, Guti, Gonzalo Higuain and Wesley Sneijder to put Real Madrid back on the winning track.

Sevilla FC's next fixture will be a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Romanian Liga 1 runner-up Steaua Bucharest. Sevilla will be visitors at the Stadionul Ghencea in Bucharest, Romania. The next La Liga match of Sevilla will be against Villareal at the Estado El Madrigal in Villareal, Spain.

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Real Valladolid are in the relegation zone of the Spanish Primera Liga, and sit among the bottom three in the La Liga standings. FC Barcelona, who are among the top teams in the Spanish Primera Liga, were expected to win this match easily despite it being an away game at Valladolid's home pitch.

However, Real Valladolid were keen to play against Spanish La Liga giants FC Barcelona, and it was Valladolid who gained the advantage first. Valladolid were able to score in the 16th minute, when Valladolid's Joseba Llorente received a wonderful pass from Valladolid team mate Jonathan Sesma, and did well to shoot past Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.

Barcelona were able to find an equaliser in the 43rd minute when Barcelona star midfielder Ronaldinho took a pass from Xavi Hernandez before shooting over Real Valladolid keeper Alberto Lopez for his third goal of the season and first in league play in nearly two months.

The scoreline stayed at 1-1, and Barcelona were content to salvage a point after an inspired performance by Valladolid.

"Valladolid played better as a team ... we didn't sacrifice enough for each other," Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said. "We played better collectively in the second half but we still need to learn from this in order to imporve."

Barcelona improved their standings in the Spanish La Liga to 21 points - same as Villarreal - to remain in second place behind Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid, which has 25 points after 10 rounds played.

Barcelona's next Spanish La Liga match will be against Real Betis on the Barcelona home pitch at the Nou Camp this November 4.

On November 7, FC Barcelona will have a UEFA Champions League match against Scottish Premier League clun Rangers FC also at the Nou Camp. The last time Barcelona met Rangers FC was last month for a UEFA Champions League group stage match at Glasgow, Scotland. Barcelona drew with Rangers FC 0-0. Hopefully, the magic and support of the fans at the Nou Camp in Barcelona will be abel to inspire Barca to a win. Barcelona and Rangers are both tied in the UEFA Group E with 7 points. Definitely, the winner of the Barcelona-Rangers UEFA Champions League group stage match will be Group E leaders.

Barca will be relying on stars Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Toure Yaya and Eric Abidal for a win against Rangers. FC Barcelona's Cameronian striker Samuel Eto'o is still recovering from his injury, but will be expected to join Barcelona again by the end of November.

Perhaps, the completion of Barcelona's Fantastic Four - Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'0, Lio Messi and Thierry Henry - will improve Barcelona's chances to lead the Spanish Primera Liga. Definitely, Barca's Fantastic Four will be great to have on the pitch, especially with the El Clasico coming the the Nou Camp in Barcelona on December 23, 2007.

El Clasico is the name given to the football matches between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The rivalry comes about as Madrid and Barcelona are the two largest cities in Spain as well as the two most successful and influential football clubs in the country. In the last El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona on the second half of the 2006-07 Spanish La Liga season, the score was a 3-3 draw. Earlier in that first half of the 2006-07 Spanish La Liga season, Real Madrid won the El Clasico 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, the home pitch of Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid.

Find out the football betting odds on Barcelona vs. Real Betis and other Spanish La Liga matches, by visiting the Bodog sportsbook.

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Real Madrid's Team Captain Raul Gonzalez started the Spanish La Liga match against Deportivo La Coruña on the bench as part of Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster's rotation strategy. Real Madrid's Raul was brought in by Schuster on the 65th minute to replace Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola, and it was Raul who broke the 1-1 deadlock within minutes of his entry into the game to help Real Madrid claim a 3-1 win against Deportivo La Coruña to keep their hopes of a second consecutive Spanish La Liga Championship by leading the Primera Liga standings.

However, it was Deportivo who were the first to make a goal in the match at the Santiago Bernabeu to stun the home crowd. Deportivo's Xisco picked up a cut-back from team mate Joan Verdu and avoided the challenge of Real Madrid centre-back Christoph Metzelder before firing through the legs of Iker Casillas to make the score 1-0.

Bernd Schuster's side did not have to wait long for an equaliser when last season's Spanish La Liga top goalscorer Ruud van Nistelrooy made the score 1-1 six minutes later with a kick from the penalty spot.

Despite that blow, Deportivo continued to bring the fight to Real Madrid with Deportivo's Joan Verdu testing Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas. Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos had two efforts thwarted by Deportivo goalkeeper Dudu Aouate, and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy also had his attempts blocked. Real Madrid Brazilian superstar Robinho then almost gave Real the lead with a shot from outside the area that hit the Deportivo crossbar.

The deadlock wasbroken by Real Madrid team captain Raul in the 79th minute when Real Madrid's Ruud vanNistelrooy combined with Raul to beat Deportivo keeper Dudu Aouate to make the score 2-1. Deportivo were then reduced to 10 men following the ejection of Sergio from the match, and Real Madrid were able to take advantage of the extra player. In the 89th minute, Real Madrid were awarded another goal when Real Madrid's Robinho played an amazing one-two with Guti.

Real Madrid's win improves their first-place standing in the Spanish Primera Liga to 22 points. Following them at 2nd place is Barcelona who has a total of 20 points following a 2-0 home victory at the Nou Camp against Almeria.

Real Madrid's next La Liga match will be any away-match against Valencia. To bet on Real Madrd vs. Valencia and other Spanish La Liga matches, click here.

Well, the unbeaten streak wasn't going to last forever, and it was just going to be a matter of time before Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid would be handed their first loss of the 2007-08 of the Spanish La Liga. Real Madrid's first loss in 8 matches came courtesy of Espanyol, who are ranked 5th in the league with a total of 16 points after collecting the entire 3 points from their 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at their home pitch in Montjuic.

Real Madrid head coach Bernd Schuster commented, "I don't think the international matches took a toll. We can't make excuses for the defeat. We lost against an Espanyol team that played a great match. We can't look back. Being a part of Real Madrid entails going through games like these, and we just have to deal with it."

Indeed, Espanyol was a hard team for Real Madrid, and two minutes into the match, Espanyol scored an early goal when Espanyol's Luis Garcia kicked a corner into the penalty area and Espanyol's Albert Riera was able to rise above everyone to head it into the near post beyond the reach of Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Espanyol doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute when Espanyol captain Raul Tamudo controlled a pass from Valdo and chipped a shot over the head of Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas.

Real Madrid had some fine offense care of Real Madrid team captain Raul Gonzalez, forward Ruud van Nistelrooy, but were not able to produce a goal. Los Merengues Real Madrid eventually found a last-minute goal when Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos poked in a corner from Guti.

Real Madrid still maintain the top spot of the Spanish La Liga standings with 19 points. 2nd place Barcelona failed to overtake Real Madrid after Barca lost to Villareal 3-1. Instead, Villareal take the 2nd spot away from Barcelona and are tied with Valencia with 18 points. Barcelona are at 4th spot with 17 points.

Real Madrid's next match will be a UEFA Champions League group stage qualifier against Greece Super League champions Olympiacos at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 24.

Real Madrid's next Spanish La Liga match will be against Deportivo La Coruña on October 27, also at the Santiago Bernabeu. On October 31st, Real Madrid will be visitors at Mestalla when they go up against Valencia.

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