Match Preview: Sunday 29/04/2007 19:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 32
FC BARCELONA - U.D. LEVANTE

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000
Referee: Clos Gomez


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Gio - Iniesta, Xavi, Deco - Messi, Eto´o, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Levante (4-4-2): Molina - Descarga, Alvaro, Alexis, Rubiales - Ze Maria, Berson (N´Daye), Kapo, Tommasi - Salva, Riga Mustapha (Reggi) - Manager: Abel Resino


Match Preview:

Spanish La Liga leader FC Barcelona (1st/59 points) will host relegation threatened Levante (18th/30 points) at Camp Nou tonight (19:00, local time) and nobody really believes that Barca could drop some points in this match. The eyes are more focused on the other matches, if Espanyol is able to help city rival Barcelona in Sevilla or Athletic to make life difficult for Real at Bilbao.


Again, after Barca´s loss at the Madregal last weekend, the criticism of the media did not stop. Still looking at it, FC Barcelona have got their fate in their own hands, unlike Real Madrid and Sevilla, who clash next week at the Bernabeu. Both teams have to hope that Barca draws again, while they win their matches. But with playing each other next week in Madrid, one challenger will certainly drop points again, and if the match ends in a draw, both will do so.


Levante has not won a match since the middle of February and have now reached the relegation zone. Barca have not lost one single match at Camp Nou in this campaign. Generally, it should be a David against Goliath encounter, but we know how the story ended. Levante, like Mallorca and the other teams of the lower part of the table, will come to Camp Nou to pack their own half and defend with heart. they will try to surprise Barca on the break and just hope for any sort of result. If offered a deal before the match, they would surely settle for a draw without question. But having said that, Levante managed to win at Bernabeu, on Feb 4.


Barca´s Márquez is back in the team, therefore Ezquerro will be rested. Frank Rijkaard will probably stick to his offensive, creative combination in midfield and will start with Iniesta, Xavi and Deco. Therefore, if Marquez should get into the starting line-up he would be more likely to replace Thuram in the heart of the defence. I see Zambrotta start on the right and Gio on the left. No changes in attack: Messi, Eto´o and Ronaldinho.


Levante is without injured Ian Harte and Salva Ballesta is set to return to the squad but probably will take place on the substitute bench.


My Prediction:
Barca playing Levante at Camp Nou should be, on paper, more a formality and produce a comfortable win. Still, we do not have to forget that Levante managed to win at the Bernabeu. While the odds are very clear and in favour of FC Barcelona, the reality will be that Levante will park a bus in front of their goal. this means, the midfield has to be creative and the attacking line with Ronaldinho, Eto´o and Messi have to use their chances this time. To wasteful Barca had been with their opportunities to score in recent weeks.

I guess, only the most pessimistic Barca supporter can see the team losing tonight. Would you put your money on Levante? I certainly would not. therefore it is easy to say for me:


FC Barcelona - Levante 3-0


Visca el Barca!