MADRID, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Prospects for Primera Liga clubs for the 2006-2007 season starting on Aug. 27 (last season's positions in brackets):
ATHLETIC BILBAO (12)
Coach: Felix Sarriugarte
Javier Clemente steered Athletic clear of a first ever relegation after taking charge midway through last season, but the former Spain boss was rewarded with the sack following his criticisms of the club's recruitment policy.
Clemente had a point. Even taking account of the club's adherence to the policy of only having players with Basque heritage they have done little to strengthen the squad and paying six million euros for Osasuna reserve team player Javi Martinez appears reckless.
They should stay up, but new boss Sarriugarte will do well to steer the side to a mid-table finish.
- - - -
ATLETICO MADRID (10)
Coach: Javier Aguirre
Atletico's long suffering fans are accustomed to false dawns, but after yet another close-season overhaul the present team looks capable of challenging for one of the Champions League places.
Atletico splashed out a club-record 23 million euros fee on Argentine prodigy Sergio Aguero, and with the addition of Greek international fullback Yourkas Seitaridis and holding midfielder Costinha they should be less prone to defensive mishaps.
The arrival of Aguero should take the pressure off leading striker Fernando Torres and in Mexican coach Aguirre they have one of the best motivators in the game.
- - - -
BARCELONA (1)
Coach: Frank Rijkaard
The Spanish and European champions will be strong favourites to win a third title in a row, but they are certain to be pushed harder by the likes of Real, Atletico, Sevilla and Zaragoza.
Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen has been brought in from Chelsea to replace Henrik Larsson as understudy to leading striker Samuel Eto'o and looks to be an astute purchase.
Like arch-rivals Real, they took advantage of the Italian match-fixing scandal to recruit Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram from Juventus to strengthen their defence, the one area that could feasibly have been approved.
They have the class to make a hat-trick of titles, the only doubt is whether they still have the hunger.
- - - -
CELTA VIGO (6)
Coach: Fernando Vazquez
Celta surprised many by reclaiming a place in Europe in their first season back in the top flight, but they have a shrewd boss in Vazquez and a compact, well-organised squad.
If talented playmaker Borja Oubina can build on last season's excellent performances and striker Fernando Baiano can retain his scoring touch, then they should be up there challenging for a European place once again.
- - - -
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (8)
Coach: Joaquin Caparros
Experienced figures like keeper Jose Molina, midfielders Victor and Pedro Munitis and defenders Enrique Romero and Cesar have all gone and, with belt-tightening the order of the day, Caparros has had little choice but to rely on a new crop of youngsters.
Uruguay winger Fabian Estoyanoff is the club's most high-profile new recruit, but they have managed to sweep up some good bargains in the close season and Caparros is an expert at getting the best out of teams with modest resources.
- - - -
ESPANYOL (15)
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
King's Cup winners Espanyol escaped the drop by the skin of their teeth thanks to an injury-time goal in the final match of the season.
They will be hoping for a more comfortable ride this term but their squad is short on strength and quality. New coach Valverde will do well to keep them clear of trouble.
- - - -
GETAFE (9)
Coach: Bernd Schuster
A complete overhaul of a club that has consistently punched above its weight in its first two seasons in the top flight. Departing players include goal-scoring defender Mariano Pernia, influential midfielders Diego Rivas and Jaime Gavilan, and striker Riki.
Amongst the new arrivals are Argentine keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri and Uruguayan forward Juan Albin. Team spirit has always been Getafe's strength, but with so many changes Schuster will have his work cut out to repeat last season's ninth place finish.
- - - -
GIMNASTIC TARRAGONA (2 in second division)
Coach: Luis Angel Cesar
Like the other two promoted clubs Nastic, who return to the top flight after a 56-year absence, are favourites to go straight back down again.
The Catalans have made a number of interesting reinforcements in Brazilian midfielder Gil, winger Alejandro Campano and strikers Javier Portillo and Ariza Makukula, but they still look to be out of their depth.
- - - -
LEVANTE (3 in second division)
Coach: Juan Ramon Lopez Caro
The best equipped of the three promoted sides to stay in the top flight, Levante have brought in experienced French duo Laurent Robert and Frederic Dehu and have made an interesting buy in Cameroon striker Albert Meyong Ze, the leading scorer in Portugal last season.
With former Real Madrid coach Lopez Caro at the helm, they should put up a fight for survival.
- - - -
OSASUNA (4)
Coach: Jose Angel Ziganda
The Navarrans completed a brilliant campaign with a record-equalling fourth-place finish, but with coach Aguirre decamping to Atletico and their rivals now more wary of them, Osasuna are unlikely to reach the heights of last season.
New recruits include Iranian midfielder Javad Nekounam, former Real Madrid striker Roberto Soldado and the talented Hector Font from Villarreal.
- - - -
RACING SANTANDER (17)
Coach: Miguel Angel Portugal
After a close shave with relegation, Racing are pinning their hopes for a more comfortable season on the return of prodigal son Pedro Pedro Munitis from Deportivo.
The former Real Madrid winger will shoulder much of the responsibility at the club, but unless some late reinforcements arrive they are likely to struggle once again.
- - - -
REAL BETIS (14)
Coach: Javier Irureta
Champions League participation took a heavy toll on Betis last season and it was only in the final stages of the season that they managed to haul themselves out of trouble.
Coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer has left for AEK Athens and outspoken owner Manuel Ruiz de Lopera has stepped down as president, but the playing staff remain much the same.
Winger Joaquin may have to stay despite his declarations that he wants to move on. Much will depend on his commitment and on whether new coach Irureta can exert the same influence as he did while at Deportivo.
- - - -
REAL MADRID (2)
Coach: Fabio Capello
Yet another expensive makeover for Real as they try to avoid ending a fourth successive season without a major trophy.
Capello has been brought in to oversee the hoped-for revival and true to form the Italian has responded by strengthening the defensive backbone of the team with the addition of former Juventus players Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson.
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy should provide competition for Ronaldo up front, but new president Ramon Calderon has not brought in any of the big names he promised during the election campaign.
Expect Real to be a far more difficult side to beat and they should provide a far tougher challenge for Barca this season.
- - - -
REAL MALLORCA (13)
Coach: Gregorio Manzano
The islanders struggled last season and are likely to have similar problems this term unless new signing Maxi Lopez - on loan from Barcelona - strikes gold up front and the new additions to the back four can plug the holes in defence.
- - - -
REAL SOCIEDAD (16)
Coach: Jose Mari Bakero
Sociedad have lost live-wire striker Nihat Kahveci to Villarreal, while Mark Gonzalez, the man who did much to save them from the drop, has returned to Liverpool.
Barring relegated Malaga, the Basques had the worst defensive record in the league and will need to be far more effective at the back if they are to survive a similar scare this season.
In attack the burden will fall on the shoulders of Darko Kovacevic, who returns after a lengthy spell on the sidelines because of an Achilles' injury, and Danish strike partner Morten Skoubo.
- - - -
REAL ZARAGOZA (11)
Coach: Victor Fernandez
With former Celta coach Fernandez returning to take charge at La Romareda, Zaragoza have made a commmitment to play entertaining, attack-minded football.
The club have accompanied Fernandez's arrival with some appetising signings including Argentine duo Pablo Aimar and Andres D'Alesssandro and Manchester United defender Gerard Pique.
With the free-scoring Diego Milito and Ewerthon in attack, Zaragoza should challenge for the Champions League berths.
- - - -
RECREATIVO HUELVA (1 in second division)
Coach: Marcelino
Spain's oldest club had a brief spell in the top flight in 2002-03 and won plenty of admirers for their refusal to break the bank and determination to enjoy their stay.
Once again they have made only a handful of modest reinforcements, with Villarreal youngsters Santi Cazorla and Cesar Arzo being the most interesting arrivals. A rapid return to the second division is on the cards.
- - - -
SEVILLA (5)
Coach: Juande Ramos
The UEFA Cup champions have finished in the top six in the last three seasons and there is no reason why they should not be up there once again.
Argentine striker Javier Saviola has gone, but his former Monaco team mate Ernesto Chevanton has come in together with two recruits from the Bundesliga, defender Andreas Hinkel from Stuttgart and midfielder Christian Poulsen from Schalke 04.
- - - -
VALENCIA (3)
Coach: Quique Sanchez Flores Champions in 2002 and 2004, Valencia bounced back from a seventh-place finish in 2005 to clinch third place last season.
In theory they should be a stronger outfit with the addition of striker Fernando Morientes and fullback Asier del Horno, but both players will need to recapture the form they showed before their unsuccessful sojourn in England.
Young midfielder David Silva could help fill the gap left by Aimar, but the contractual dispute involving centre back Roberto Ayala will add further tension to the already poor relations between players and club.
- - - -
VILLARREAL (7)
Coach: Manuel Pellegini
Out of Europe for the first time in four seasons, Villarreal will be able to focus on recapturing their domestic form after their impressive run to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The club wants to sell midfielders Marcos Senna and Juan Pablo Sorin, but the arrival of Robert Pires, Cani and Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci should provide ample compensation.
Reuters
ATHLETIC BILBAO (12)
Coach: Felix Sarriugarte
Javier Clemente steered Athletic clear of a first ever relegation after taking charge midway through last season, but the former Spain boss was rewarded with the sack following his criticisms of the club's recruitment policy.
Clemente had a point. Even taking account of the club's adherence to the policy of only having players with Basque heritage they have done little to strengthen the squad and paying six million euros for Osasuna reserve team player Javi Martinez appears reckless.
They should stay up, but new boss Sarriugarte will do well to steer the side to a mid-table finish.
- - - -
ATLETICO MADRID (10)
Coach: Javier Aguirre
Atletico's long suffering fans are accustomed to false dawns, but after yet another close-season overhaul the present team looks capable of challenging for one of the Champions League places.
Atletico splashed out a club-record 23 million euros fee on Argentine prodigy Sergio Aguero, and with the addition of Greek international fullback Yourkas Seitaridis and holding midfielder Costinha they should be less prone to defensive mishaps.
The arrival of Aguero should take the pressure off leading striker Fernando Torres and in Mexican coach Aguirre they have one of the best motivators in the game.
- - - -
BARCELONA (1)
Coach: Frank Rijkaard
The Spanish and European champions will be strong favourites to win a third title in a row, but they are certain to be pushed harder by the likes of Real, Atletico, Sevilla and Zaragoza.
Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen has been brought in from Chelsea to replace Henrik Larsson as understudy to leading striker Samuel Eto'o and looks to be an astute purchase.
Like arch-rivals Real, they took advantage of the Italian match-fixing scandal to recruit Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram from Juventus to strengthen their defence, the one area that could feasibly have been approved.
They have the class to make a hat-trick of titles, the only doubt is whether they still have the hunger.
- - - -
CELTA VIGO (6)
Coach: Fernando Vazquez
Celta surprised many by reclaiming a place in Europe in their first season back in the top flight, but they have a shrewd boss in Vazquez and a compact, well-organised squad.
If talented playmaker Borja Oubina can build on last season's excellent performances and striker Fernando Baiano can retain his scoring touch, then they should be up there challenging for a European place once again.
- - - -
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (8)
Coach: Joaquin Caparros
Experienced figures like keeper Jose Molina, midfielders Victor and Pedro Munitis and defenders Enrique Romero and Cesar have all gone and, with belt-tightening the order of the day, Caparros has had little choice but to rely on a new crop of youngsters.
Uruguay winger Fabian Estoyanoff is the club's most high-profile new recruit, but they have managed to sweep up some good bargains in the close season and Caparros is an expert at getting the best out of teams with modest resources.
- - - -
ESPANYOL (15)
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
King's Cup winners Espanyol escaped the drop by the skin of their teeth thanks to an injury-time goal in the final match of the season.
They will be hoping for a more comfortable ride this term but their squad is short on strength and quality. New coach Valverde will do well to keep them clear of trouble.
- - - -
GETAFE (9)
Coach: Bernd Schuster
A complete overhaul of a club that has consistently punched above its weight in its first two seasons in the top flight. Departing players include goal-scoring defender Mariano Pernia, influential midfielders Diego Rivas and Jaime Gavilan, and striker Riki.
Amongst the new arrivals are Argentine keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri and Uruguayan forward Juan Albin. Team spirit has always been Getafe's strength, but with so many changes Schuster will have his work cut out to repeat last season's ninth place finish.
- - - -
GIMNASTIC TARRAGONA (2 in second division)
Coach: Luis Angel Cesar
Like the other two promoted clubs Nastic, who return to the top flight after a 56-year absence, are favourites to go straight back down again.
The Catalans have made a number of interesting reinforcements in Brazilian midfielder Gil, winger Alejandro Campano and strikers Javier Portillo and Ariza Makukula, but they still look to be out of their depth.
- - - -
LEVANTE (3 in second division)
Coach: Juan Ramon Lopez Caro
The best equipped of the three promoted sides to stay in the top flight, Levante have brought in experienced French duo Laurent Robert and Frederic Dehu and have made an interesting buy in Cameroon striker Albert Meyong Ze, the leading scorer in Portugal last season.
With former Real Madrid coach Lopez Caro at the helm, they should put up a fight for survival.
- - - -
OSASUNA (4)
Coach: Jose Angel Ziganda
The Navarrans completed a brilliant campaign with a record-equalling fourth-place finish, but with coach Aguirre decamping to Atletico and their rivals now more wary of them, Osasuna are unlikely to reach the heights of last season.
New recruits include Iranian midfielder Javad Nekounam, former Real Madrid striker Roberto Soldado and the talented Hector Font from Villarreal.
- - - -
RACING SANTANDER (17)
Coach: Miguel Angel Portugal
After a close shave with relegation, Racing are pinning their hopes for a more comfortable season on the return of prodigal son Pedro Pedro Munitis from Deportivo.
The former Real Madrid winger will shoulder much of the responsibility at the club, but unless some late reinforcements arrive they are likely to struggle once again.
- - - -
REAL BETIS (14)
Coach: Javier Irureta
Champions League participation took a heavy toll on Betis last season and it was only in the final stages of the season that they managed to haul themselves out of trouble.
Coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer has left for AEK Athens and outspoken owner Manuel Ruiz de Lopera has stepped down as president, but the playing staff remain much the same.
Winger Joaquin may have to stay despite his declarations that he wants to move on. Much will depend on his commitment and on whether new coach Irureta can exert the same influence as he did while at Deportivo.
- - - -
REAL MADRID (2)
Coach: Fabio Capello
Yet another expensive makeover for Real as they try to avoid ending a fourth successive season without a major trophy.
Capello has been brought in to oversee the hoped-for revival and true to form the Italian has responded by strengthening the defensive backbone of the team with the addition of former Juventus players Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson.
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy should provide competition for Ronaldo up front, but new president Ramon Calderon has not brought in any of the big names he promised during the election campaign.
Expect Real to be a far more difficult side to beat and they should provide a far tougher challenge for Barca this season.
- - - -
REAL MALLORCA (13)
Coach: Gregorio Manzano
The islanders struggled last season and are likely to have similar problems this term unless new signing Maxi Lopez - on loan from Barcelona - strikes gold up front and the new additions to the back four can plug the holes in defence.
- - - -
REAL SOCIEDAD (16)
Coach: Jose Mari Bakero
Sociedad have lost live-wire striker Nihat Kahveci to Villarreal, while Mark Gonzalez, the man who did much to save them from the drop, has returned to Liverpool.
Barring relegated Malaga, the Basques had the worst defensive record in the league and will need to be far more effective at the back if they are to survive a similar scare this season.
In attack the burden will fall on the shoulders of Darko Kovacevic, who returns after a lengthy spell on the sidelines because of an Achilles' injury, and Danish strike partner Morten Skoubo.
- - - -
REAL ZARAGOZA (11)
Coach: Victor Fernandez
With former Celta coach Fernandez returning to take charge at La Romareda, Zaragoza have made a commmitment to play entertaining, attack-minded football.
The club have accompanied Fernandez's arrival with some appetising signings including Argentine duo Pablo Aimar and Andres D'Alesssandro and Manchester United defender Gerard Pique.
With the free-scoring Diego Milito and Ewerthon in attack, Zaragoza should challenge for the Champions League berths.
- - - -
RECREATIVO HUELVA (1 in second division)
Coach: Marcelino
Spain's oldest club had a brief spell in the top flight in 2002-03 and won plenty of admirers for their refusal to break the bank and determination to enjoy their stay.
Once again they have made only a handful of modest reinforcements, with Villarreal youngsters Santi Cazorla and Cesar Arzo being the most interesting arrivals. A rapid return to the second division is on the cards.
- - - -
SEVILLA (5)
Coach: Juande Ramos
The UEFA Cup champions have finished in the top six in the last three seasons and there is no reason why they should not be up there once again.
Argentine striker Javier Saviola has gone, but his former Monaco team mate Ernesto Chevanton has come in together with two recruits from the Bundesliga, defender Andreas Hinkel from Stuttgart and midfielder Christian Poulsen from Schalke 04.
- - - -
VALENCIA (3)
Coach: Quique Sanchez Flores Champions in 2002 and 2004, Valencia bounced back from a seventh-place finish in 2005 to clinch third place last season.
In theory they should be a stronger outfit with the addition of striker Fernando Morientes and fullback Asier del Horno, but both players will need to recapture the form they showed before their unsuccessful sojourn in England.
Young midfielder David Silva could help fill the gap left by Aimar, but the contractual dispute involving centre back Roberto Ayala will add further tension to the already poor relations between players and club.
- - - -
VILLARREAL (7)
Coach: Manuel Pellegini
Out of Europe for the first time in four seasons, Villarreal will be able to focus on recapturing their domestic form after their impressive run to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The club wants to sell midfielders Marcos Senna and Juan Pablo Sorin, but the arrival of Robert Pires, Cani and Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci should provide ample compensation.
Reuters
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