Showdown at La Romareda

It doesn't really matter the country or even the division where the futbol is played, any time there is a game between the first and second place teams, it gets everyone's attention and will certainly have ours this weekend. First place Salamanca, with 32 points, visits second place Zaragoza, with 30 points, in this weekend's marquee matchup in El Infierno.

We've already had a chance to talk a little about both sides and referenced some of their past glories and star power. The same can be said for both teams this year and look no further than the quality of side that Zaragoza possesses. Looking up and down their roster, the names stand out: Ewerthon, Pavon, Ayala and Oliveira. Both Oliveira and Ewerthon have made national team appearances for Brazil. In fact, Oliveira would have made Brazil's 2006 World Cup team if he hadn't torn up his knee the previous Fall. Pavon is a player who made his name rising through the ranks of the Real Madrid system. It was Pavon who was cited by many who were critical of Real Madrid's yearly signing of 'galacticos' saying the team should be focusing its efforts on producing 'Mas Pavones' instead of throwing money at high priced stars. Pavon eventually fizzled out at Real but has since become a mainstay with the Aragon side.

Roberto Ayala, commonly known as 'El Raton' is a grizzled veteran of Spanish futbol spending many years playing at the Mestalla for Valencia. He was an integral part of those wonderful Valencia teams that captured two La Liga titles and back to back appearances in the final of the UEFA Champions League. But the Argentine defender is known best as simply 'El Capitan.' No one has captained more matches for the Argentina National Team than Robero Ayala. If you consider the long history of Argentine futbol, it's an impressive distinction. His appearances date back to the silver medal winning team at the 1996 Olympics all the way to the runner-up performance at the 2007 Copa Amerixa where sadly, Ayala contributed to Brazil's 3-0 win by scoring an own goal in the waning moments of the first half and giving Brazil an insurmountable 2-0 lead. Roberto is living out his futbol days in La Romareda for Zaragoza but remains a key component for the side. He's a sentimental favorite here and that's why I'm picking Zaragoza to squeeze out a 2-1 victory.

Jornada 18 - Resultados:

TenerifeSevilla At 2-1
Rayo - Levante 0-0
Huesca - Alavés 2-0
Córdoba - R.Sociedad 2-2
Celta - Hércules 2-1
Gimnástic - Girona 3-0
Eibar - Xerez 1-1
Albacete - Zaragoza 1-1
Castellón - Elche 2-2
Salamanca - Las Palmas 2-2
Alicante - Murcia 0-2

Clasificacion:
1. Salamanca - 32
2. Zaragoza - 30
3. Xerez - 30
4. Tenerife - 30
5. Hércules - 29
6. Gimnástic - 27
7. Huesca - 27
8. R.Sociedad - 27
9. Castellón - 26
10. Rayo - 26
11. Levante - 26
12. Las Palmas - 25
13. Celta* - 25
14. Girona - 25
15. Albacete - 24
16. Elche - 22
17. Eibar - 21
18. Alavés - 20
19. Córdoba - 17
20. Murcia* - 16
21. Alicante - 9
22. Sevilla At - 8