Don't worry I'm not talking about my prediction for the final positions of La Liga this year (although it would be nice), I'm talking about the order of oppositions that teams have to face.

This would never happen in the Prem, could you imagine it? Every team has to play, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in a row, no way jose! What do you think? Isn't it about time they changed this system, or if it is a fluke this year then maybe they should havethought about it? The Sesame gang say aren't happy with it.

Betis still haven't scored in La Liga this season and their manager Chaparro is losing his patience 'we get in the area but we're not scoring goals, what would be ideal is to have someone who can guaranty 20 or 25 goals,' wise words Chaparro, wise words. Someone who could score one goal would be nice? What's happening to new boy Sergio Garcia?

Not much by the looks of things.

Sevilla manager Jimenez has said that he's not happy 'We didn't loose but maybe we should have been more ambitious, like we were in the last twenty five minutes' but who is to blame for that Jimenez? Maybe if you had started with Capel, Navas and Maresca instead of Acosta and Romaric then your team may have got off to the start that everyone was expecting. His decision to start with Acosta, on his debut, in such an important game was a surprise to everyone, including Chaparro.

So what does this mean for both teams? Well Betis won't be too displeased with the result after last years double loss against their rivals, but they still failed to score. Sevilla, on the other hand, should have done better, maybe if they had been given one of the two possible penalty decisions, one for Acosta and the other for Fabiano, they would have got the points.

But it wasn't to be for either team, a dull and drab derby which has left the streets quiet, no one has anything to celebrate in Sevilla this evening, no parping horns or late night parties tonight. Which isn't such a bad thing, maybe I’ll get some sleep; unlike Jimenez who'll be kicking himself for not starting Capel.

Elsewhere; Valencia have gone top of the league by beating Osasuna 1 v 0, Racing lost to Madrid 2 v 0, Almeria beat Malaga 1 v 0, Numancia lost 2 v 1 to Villarreal, Athletico beat Valladolid 2 v 0 and Deportivo drew 0 v 0 with Mallorca.

Atletico smashed Recreativo 4 v 0 thanks to goals from Kun (7), Maniche (52) and two from Sinama (77,88) to put them back on track in La Liga.

Sergio Aguero, Kun, has now scored four goals in eight days, one against Valladolid, two against PSV and one yesterday to show that he's one of La Liga's most dangerous strikers. He also set up the second goal for Maniche and caused serious problems for Recre's defense. Kun left to a standing ovation as he was substituted in the 60th minute.

But if he continues like this then surely he's gonna get swamped with offers from outside La Liga; no doubt the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham will be keeping an eye on him for when the transfer market opens again in January. Rumors has it that Maradona has already said he'll try and get him over to Inter next season, and rumor also has it that Kun likes to suck his thumb when he goes to bed with a nice hot cup of Chocolate; I don't know why anyone would think that though...

But was it really an impressive thrashing that the score reflects? Javier Aguirre, manager of Atletico, seems to think not; 'The victory wasn't as easy as it seemed, but we've got great strike force who are going to cause problems, but we can't commit errors in defense,' he said even though Atletico have kept three clean sheets in four games against Schalke, Malaga, and Recreativo. But overall the Mexican, Aguirre, was content with his team's performance; I should think so mate, 4 v 0 ain't a bad result now is it?

Atletico appear to have everything in order, their strike force has been phenomenal so far and new signings of Heitinga (Dutch) and Ujfalusi (Chec) now playing alongside Perea and Antonio Lopez make a solid defense. The question is will they be able to keep up these peformances when they play the tougher teams in La Liga and Champions? Next week they're at home to Getafe, who managed a draw with current leaders Espanyol 1 v 1 yesterday, but then they have the real test; Sevilla, Barca and Madrid in a row. Let's see how Kun and his boys shape up against those bad boys before we can consider a new challenger for the title, be nice though wouldn't it?

Betis v Sevilla 16.00 - 21/9/08

Del Nido, as usual, has been causing a bit of a stir in the Andalucian capital ahead of the first derby of the season. He's told his players that '100% isn't enough and anyone who doesn't put in more effort won't be playing.' Too harsh? How does he know that before the game anyway? Surely they'll all be up for it? 

Or will they? This year's new looking Sevilla still has to introduce several of it's players to the loco Derby that everyone in Sevilla waits for every year (I'd say most Sevillianos look forward more to these games than the Spain v Germany final). It will be Squillaci and Konko's first appearances against arch rivals Betis, will they be able to stand up to the pressure.

Sergio Garcia, Betis's new striker, is well up for the clash. It's his first derby and is confident that his side can give a little surprise to Del Nido's side 'Sevilla have a great squad, but the players they have lost were key players and you can see the difference.' He's got some cojones (bollocks) to say that before a Derby.

I must be honest, after living in Sevilla for three years and watching several Derby matches, they never really do it for me, yeah the atmosphere is buzzing in the bars (it's all clean fun, no scrapping or fighting like you might get in North London or in Manchester), but the games always lack that extra bit of umph. Last year Sevilla did the dirty double over Betis winning 3 v 0 at home and 2 v 0 away, but Betis lacked a bit of firepower. Let's see what Mr Loudmouth Garcia can do about it tomorrow who also said that 'I hope I score a goal, but the result is more important.' Alright mate, don't get ahead of yourself now.

Betis aren't on their best form at the moment; they haven't won since last April and have only managed one point this year. They are also facing a difficult run of Barca, Madrid and Villareal, so they will be desperate for a point at least.

Prediction; lots of goals, Sevilla's defense has been a bit wiffy wa wa this year, its early days for the new boys, but I reckon between Capel, Fabiano and Kanoute they will probably net a couple, as will new boy Garcia for Betis. Going for a bold Betis 2 v Sevilla 3.

Del Nido agrees with me, don't you amigo?

 Course he does.

Espanyol v Getafe - K.O. 21.00 - 20/9/08

Espanyol are the second biggest club in Cataluyna and have started La Liga by winning both games 1 v 0 and claiming maximum points, but can their run continue.

'Tintin' Marquez, manager of Espanyol, has said that 'We knew the first three games were important for us,' and why did he say that? Surely they're important for everyone, but not everyone is playing Sevilla, Barca and Madrid in a row afterwards. 'Our idea was to get a cushion of points, and for the moment we have six, this takes the pressure of a bit for the next four games, but at the moment we're top and it's a good moment,' he added.

Tintin, who needs a bit more hair, and a dog, to resemble the famous cartoon character, has had a great start to the season; last year they finished 12th and they could be pushing for a UEFA spot this year. He has commented on the fact that Getafe are without De La Red, now at Real Madrid, by comparing him to Getafe's Celestini 'He's not that brilliant, but he's a better defender,' stated TinTin.

Steve Finnan, ex Liverpool, may get his first game today with Espanyol (as will Callejon and Lola), he's been named in the squad even though he's only had four training sessions with his new team mates.

Getafe, on the other hand, will be looking to end Tintin's unbeaten run. They could jump top if they win but Victor Munoz, manager, insists that being top of the league isn't the most important for him and his team 'I'm not thinking in top place, I'm not saying it wouldn't be beautiful (really? not even for a few hours?), but our obligation is to win and get the points building,' he said.

Espanyol will be without De La Pena today and Munoz thinks that it could be an added bonus for them 'He's an important player and creative with the front players, its could be a big loss for them,' he added.

In the last five meetings Espanyol have won three and Getafe two, but Getafe have managed to slide five goals past them on two separate occasions. Is it time for another smashing by Getafe? Can Espanyol hold onto the lead?

I think Espanyol will come out top, they maybe without De La Red but if Tamudo can get the service they should break down the Getafe defense. Prediction 2 v 1 to Espanyol.

Sevilla may have won tonight but they were far from their best.

They beat Red Bull Salzburg 2 v 0 at home in the first leg of the UEFA cup thanks to a goal from Capel after 5 mins and a late finisher from Adriano on 91, which was possibly offside.

But the Andalucia Kings weren't really flying like they will be this Sunday against their arch rivals Betis. It's the first big derby of the year when the capital of Andalucia, Sevilla, goes crazy; trust me I live here and it goes bonkers all weekend.

In a game where neither Kanuote, Maresca or Adriano started, what was to be expected? Jimenez was blatantly thinking about the weekend's game and this was just a kick about.

Other results from tonight went all Spain's way apart from Deportivo, who lost 2 v 0 against Brann Bergen. Valencia won away 1 v 0 against Maritimo, and Racing won 1 v 0 at home to Honka Espoo poo.

So it's back to La Liga this weekend, keep your eyes open for the Derby, and maybe Barcelona will get a result, or not? 

Sevilla are back in the UEFA Cup.

After getting knocked out in the quarter finals of the Champions League last year they are back in the competition which they won in 2006 and 2007. But can they win it again?

Tomorrow they start their campaign against Red Bull Salzburg, but have they got the wings to fly all the way to the final?

The Austrian team may be out of Sevilla's league and they should win both ties convincingly. Manolo Jimenez, manager of Sevilla, will be making a couple of changes for tomorrow's game, Mosquera for Duscher, Fernando Navarro for Dragutinovic and also Escude for David Prieto. Quite a lot of changes don't you think Jimenez? But after Saturday nights poor defensive display against Sporting then maybe he stands to reason.

Salzburg, who finished 2nd last year in the Austrian team do have a couple of advantages, they're already in their eight week of competitive games in Austria and have played two rounds of UEFA games as well. 

It should be an easy game for Sevilla who will be looking to get thier third trophy in four years, but, and there's always a but, their successful Manager who took them to both finals, Juan de Ramos, is now at Tottenham Hotspurs, also in the competition.

At the moment Sevilla would probably beat them hands down, but if they meet in the league or cup round I'm sure Juan de Ramos's new boys will get sweet revenge on the Sevillistas (yes I am a Spurs fan, and I live in Sevilla so I hope we meet them, and stuff them).

Other Spanish teams in UEFA tomorrow are Valencia v Maritimo, Racing v Honka Espoo (Espoo? who invented that?) and Brann Bergen v Deportivo.

Atletico Madrid, or better known as rojiblanco (Redwhite) got off to a super start to their Champions League campaign by smashing PSV 3 v 0, away. Aguero, or better known as 'Kun', yet again, was a master and popped in two goals in the 9th and 36th minute while Maniche, or also known as 'Papa', got the third in the 54th minute.

To win away at PSV was the best possible start for the Redwhite's, who haven't been in the Champions League for some time. The only downside was that Forlan, who picked up a knock when he was at international duty for Uruguay, had to come off with a torn muscle and maybe out for three weeks to a month.

Manager Aguirre said that 'We're not completely happy thanks to Forlan's injury, he's been unlucky and we hope he'll be back soon.'

He better be back in a month or he'll miss out on Atletic's most testing challenge against Liverpool on 22nd of October. 

Come on Forlan, get shifty down the docs, you don't wanna get a beatin' from the Scousers. 

Or he has been today...

Metzelder, defender for Real Madrid, has said that yesterday's results against Numancia (They won 4 v 3) should have been better 'we've got a lot of room for improvement' he said. 'We've got problems with set pieces and yesterday's errors were from a lack in concentration' he added, you don't say!

Metzelder was a class defender in this years Euro Cup and is obviously missing his German counterparts 'We're not used to letting so many goals in,' he said. Saying that, he's confident that with some more training on set pieces his side will improve. That might be the case Metzy, but let's face it, everyone wants to beat Madrid and now that they know you're dodgy at the back on set pieces I'm sure there's gonna be a few elbows flying in your face in the next few games, nervy? You should be son.

Metzy isn't worried about this weeks Champions League clash with Bate 'They are a small team, we're more worried about Juventus' he added.

I'm sure that's what he was thinking before the Numancia game, I reckon Bate will cause some problems too. Good luck Mezty, keep it tight at the back, remember what happened in the Euro final?

Guti has received the honor of scoring the 5,000 goal in La Liga. He popped in an equalizer against Numancia in the 18th minute to make him the 5,000 person to make the net ripple in Spain. Raul won the honor for the 4,500th goal.

Elsewhere, Espanyol beat Recreativo 1 v 0 to go top of the league, Valencia lost 2 v 1 against Almeria and Villarreal beat Deportivo 1 v 0, Malaga v Athletic and Getafe v Betis were both 0 v 0.

It's still early days and things aren't looking cushty for the Barca and Real at the moment. Let’s hope we get some more saucy Numancia action next week and keep the top two on their toes.

NEXT WEEK BIG DERBY BETIS V SEVILLA!