Match Preview: Sunday 24/09/2006 21:00 (GMT +2): La Liga, Match Day 4
FC BARCELONA - VALENCIA CF

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000
Referee: Arturo Dauden Ibanez


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Zambrotta, Márquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst - Edmilson, Xavi, Deco - Messi, Eto'o, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Valencia CF (4-4-2): Canizares - Miguel, Ayala, Navarro, Moretti – Edu, Albelda, Vicente Angulo – Villa (Silva), Morientes - Manager: Quique Sanchez Flores


Match Preview:

Barca and Valencia have shared four of the last five Primera Liga titles and both sides are sure to be challenging again this season. Undoubtfully, FC Barcelona and Valencia CF are playing the match of the week at Camp Nou on Sunday night. Valencia are first up this weekend and then 15 days later it's FC Sevilla in early October with Real Madrid following later in the month.


Barca's had their best start to a league season since Frank Rijkaard took over in 2003. 9 goals in the opening three matches is the best goal scoring record for 40 years! Though Valencia have been impressive as well. FC Barcelona, Valencia and Sevilla all won their first 3 matches so far and at least one of the three clubs will lose their 100% record this weekend.


Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has had the whole week to prepare his team intensively for the clash with Valencia. Forward Santi Ezquerro is the only Barca player not available for selection, due to a muscle strain in his left leg. Youngster Leo Messi, who had to sit out the first few days of training, has now fully recovered. Other than this, Frank Rijkaard has been able to rely on the rest of his first team squad.


However, Valencia have their problems going into the match. Defender Carlos Marchena is the latest player to be out with a knee ligament damage probably for the rest of the year. Further, Spanish internationals Ruben Baraja and Asier Del Horno as well as Italian striker Francesco Tavano have still not recovered in time, while captain David Albelda has only recently returned to full training. Valencia's promising centre-half Raul Albiol has picked up a thigh injury during this weeks training. Albiol complained of severe pain in his right thigh after a series of warm-up runs, and was unable to continue the training. A muscle injury has not been diagnosed so far, so the young centre-half could still be fit for Sunday's top match at the Camp Nou.


With David Navarro accompanying Ayala in the centre of the Valencia defense, the first eleven is unlikely to be affected. However, with Marchena also out with an injury, Raul Albiol's absence could leave Los Che´s coach Quique Sanchez Flores without any cover at the back.


But Los Che will be confident to gain something on their journey to Barcelona. In fact, Valencia are unbeaten in their last five trips to the Camp Nou. Over the past years, both teams have played some very exciting, high-scoring matches. With some real pace up front and technical skills present all over the field, this summit encounter is expected to be another great match.


My Prediction:
The Barca engine is running smoothly and the team played some wonderful football. Last year´s "Pichichi", Samuel Eto´o, is really on fire and scored already 4 goals in the Spanish Championship. I think the match will be won or lost in midfield. If Barca are able to win possession in the middle of the pitch, passes the ball qickly and precisely as usual and win the important tackles at crucial times, then I believe the forwards and especially Sammy Eto´o will find the net.


But Barca has to be aware of Valencia´s dangerous counter-attacks, especially on a pitch as big as the Camp Nou. Los Che will try to use the extra space like they did in the past years. With David Villa (second best scorer in Spain last season) and in form striker, former Merengue Fernando Morientes, they have a very dangerous attacking line.


Valencia have started well and are one of few contenders for La Liga that I have got on my list but I am absolutely convinced, even if we have a bad result against them, we will go on to win the Championship because after all Valencia will lose at least two or three more games this season than FC Barcelona.


Both teams go into the game wanting all three points. Neither Barca nor Valencia will be happy to lose their 100% record, but clinching a pint away would not upset Valencia. But I suppose, this time it will be too difficult for Valencia to get a result and I believe they will not be able to repeat what they did last year. If Victor Valdes, does not hand out gifts to David Villa again, as he did in both matches last season (I am sure he won´t this time!) it will be difficult for Los Che to score at Camp Nou.


I do not have to be a rocket scientiest to assume that former Real Madrid players Canizares and Morientes will have a hot reception. The Camp Nou faithful always give special jeers to former Merengue players, especially the likes of excentric Canizares. Every Culé will love to rememeber last year´s error of goalkeeeper Canizares under constant jeers that gifted Barca a point and made the Barca fans going wild. Do it again, Santi!


However, Fernando Morientes has scored some important goals against Real Madrid since he left Bernabeu, a great reason for Barca supporters to like a player, but at the end he still is a former Merengue.


It will be a tough fight, but an important win for Barca. Eto´o will extend his lead as top scorer of Spain over rival and contender David Villa with at least one more goal.

FC Barcelona - Valencia 2-0


Visca el Barca!