European football roundup: A preview of this weekend's games

Malaga v Rayo Vallecano, Sunday 1800

Under previous manager Manuel Pellegrini, Malaga had managed to somehow perform to a level that got them to the Champions League. This was done against a backdrop of their Middle Eastern owners deciding to withdraw their short-lived monetary support of the club and high-earners having to be constantly moved on. Two players who were largely responsible for the club’s performances last season have also now left, Isco and Martin Demechelis.

This has robbed the side of their leader in defence and their main threat in attack. The fact Isco is already looking a great signing at Real Madrid is a reflection of the quality he has, a huge loss to Malaga. They have started the season with a draw and two losses and I think they may well struggle to pull clear of the the relegation spots all season, such is the reduction in quality in every level of the club. They are, however, still seemingly priced as European challengers.

Rayo Vallecano are renowned for their attacking approach and the entertainment value they provide because of this. They finished in 8th in La Liga last season and have an outside chance at again pushing for European football. Their manager Paco Jemez has had a full season to get the side in his style and they may well even play better for that this season. They have started with a win and two losses, but one of those losses was to an Atletico Madrid side who look increasingly like the third power in Spanish football. They are no world beaters, but look an incredibly long price against a Malaga side way past their best.

Mainz 05 v Schalke 04, Saturday 1430

As those of you who regularly read the column will know, I really like German football. This is probably because even though it is certainly increasing in popularity and respect, there is still not much attention paid outside of the big names like Bayern and Dortmund. Sides like Mainz and Hannover are regular participants in the Europa League and are more than capable of upsetting the big teams are overlooked when the odds are set.

This weekend is a prime example of this. Mainz have started the season well with three wins and a loss, already putting them towards the top of the table. They have always had a very good home record and are currently two from two at home with five scored and two conceded. The fact they don’t possess any obviously brilliant players also enables them to make the team the focus and keep hold of those players who perform so well for them. I’d expect them to again finish somewhere between 5th and 8th in the Bundesliga.

Schalke have been the third side in the Bundesliga for the past two seasons largely because of the goals of Klaas Jan Huntelaar and young star Julian Draxler providing flair and assists. Huntelaar has probably now had his best years though, and I can only see his powers fading, and he certainly wasn’t as good last season as the season before that. Schalke got it together in the end, but they struggled at times. I don’t see them particularly struggling come the end of the season, but it may be the end of the cycle for them as the third wheel. They’ve again started poorly, with a win and a draw at home and two losses away so far. They’ve been hit for six in those two away matches and I think Mainz should be shorter in this one.