Match Preview: Saturday 12/01/2008 20:00 hours (GMT +1), La Liga, Match Day

FC BARCELONA ( 2nd/37pts ) - REAL MURCIA ( 9th/22pts )
Stadium: Camp Nou, Barcelona

Capacity : 98,772
Referee:


Probable Line-up:


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes ; Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Sylvinho; Xavi, Marquez, Gudjohnsen; Iniesta, Eto'o, Henry

Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Real Murcia(4-4-2): Notario; De Coz, Ochoa, Mejia, Pena; Lucas, Movilla, Pablo Garcia, Abel; Goitom, Baiano
Manager: Lucas Alcaraz


Match Preview:


FC Barcelona continue to climb the very steep mountain of ensuring they don't secure a draw in any La Liga game until further notice. A win is all that matters at this point, after league leaders Real Madrid have gone seven points clear at the top of the table and look all set to win against Levante. Barca also look all set to win against Real Murcia this evening, and will rely on good selection and pattern as well as good form from the players in order to achieve victory.


With Ronaldinho and Deco still out as well as Toure Yaya absent but from national duty and from suspension, a watered down, yet very solid Barca squad will be on parade today. Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry both look very likely to score, while Andres Iniesta looks very certain to keep upstaging opposing defenders as the brilliant 23 year-old Barca player continues to display fine form.


Murcia's coach Lucas Alcaraz will depend on speed and surprise tonight against the Catalan giants. The coach has the speed of Fernando Baiano and vastly improved defence which will hope to launch surprise counter attacks for the likes of midfielders Pablo Garcia, Abel, Movilla and De Lucas to link up with Baiano and Goitom with hopes for a goal.


At the back, ex-Real Madrid player Alvaro Mejia will fortify the Murcia defence with teammate Ochoa, who has been in good form thi season. The two defenders will be surronded by De Coz and Paco Pena on the flanks.


The team, looking quite formidable on paper, may not be formidable enough to withstand the pressure from a wounded lion that is FC Barcelona.


My Prediction:


I forsee Murcia coming out to prove they are no push-overs, but being contained by Barca. A few nervous moments may arrive for the Catalan giatnts as they will slighly fall to the assumed complacency of Murcia and then be hit with counters. However, I forsee a final score of:


FC Barcelona - Real Murcia 3 - 0

Match Preview: Sunday 23/04/2006 21:00 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 34
Sevilla CF - FC Barcelona

Sánchez Pizjuan, Sevilla– capacity: 38.300


Referee: Teixeira Vitienes



FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés – Belletti, Puyol, Marquez, Sylvinho (Gio) – Van Bommel (Edmilson), Iniesta (Motta), Deco, -Giuly, Eto'o (Maxi), Ezquerro – Manager: Frank Rijkaard




Sevilla CF (4-4-2): Palop - Aitor Ozio, Dragutinovic,
Daniel Alves, Javi Navarro - Adriano, Diego Capel, J. Navas, Jesuli - Kanouté, Saviola - Manager: Juande Ramos


First matchball (out of 4) for FC Barcelona: If Barca beat FC Sevilla and Valencia does not win in Bilbao, Barca will be crowned old and new Champions of La Primera Liga. If Barca does not win on Sunday, Barca has got the next chance against Cadiz at home in Camp Nou the following week. The club officials have announced there will be no championship celebrations until after Wednesday's clash against Milan, should such a circumstance arise.


FC Barcelona travel to Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for Sunday's game against UEFA Cup semi-finalists FC Sevilla and hopes to return as Champions of Spain. Sevilla are sixth in the table and have the best defence record at home, having conceded only ten league goals, while Barca has got the best attacking line-up, scoring 73 goals this season so far. With 53 points, Juande Ramos' side are on an UEFA Cup place and are six points away from a Champions League spot. Sevilla will be a strong test for Barça as they have won the majority of their 53 points this season in their own stadium, winning nine and drawing five games and only loosing 2 for a toal of 32 points. The record makes them the third best team at home behind Barça and Valencia who have lost only once at home this season.


The match represents Barça's first chance of mathematically securing the league championship giving the visitors an extra reason to want to take all three points. There is just the luxury question of, does Barca really want this? There are suspicions that the Barcelona officials prefer to bag the Spanish title next week at home in Camp Nou. First, so championship celebrations do not disturb the Champions League preparation for the important match against AC Milan and second, the fans would prefer to win the Championship at home. With an 11 point lead, it is up to FC Barcelona to decide.


Barca will probably rest several top stars in this match. Ronaldinho, Larsson and Oleguer did not make the trip to Sevilla because they are not considered fit. Allthough Xavi had his first full training session with the squad, was yet not called up due to lack of fitness. Barca´s coach Frank Rijkaard will also try to persuade goalgetter Eto'o who is very keen to become Europe´s topsorer this season, to take a rest before the Milan game. Maxi and Ezquerro will probably being desperate to show coach Riijkaard that they are more than just fringe players. Ezquerro and Maxi should start alongside either Eto'o or Giuly, and the duo are just as keen to play their part in wrapping up the League title, after watching from the sidelines all season. Both will be fired up, with absolutely nothing to hold back for. Barca´s midfield star Deco comes back into the team after missing the trip to Milan due to yellow card suspension. Big question mark about who will play along-side the protuguese international Deco and it will be interesting to see which other two Barca midfielder will start: Edmilson, Motta, Iniesta, or Van Bommel?

Belletti (for Oleguer) and Sylvinho (for Gio) will start despite it being an away game.


Sevilla will rest their two full-backs David and Daniel Alves and may be even Ex-Barca striker Saviola for the UEFA Cup semi final second leg against FC Schalke 04.


Our prediction: FC Barcelona will not play with a full squad because they are already focusing ahead on Wednesday´s Champions League semi final return match against AC Milan. Good to know that also FC Sevilla is planning ahead of the important game in the UEFA Cup against German side FC Schalke 04 on Thursdy.
FC Barcelona resting some key players will even this match up, and we will see a very entertaining ninety minutes. Sevilla have more to lose than Barcelona. Barca haven't lost many times this season, no matter what Barca team they have sent out. Both coaches would probably settle for a draw ahead of the game, if it would be possible. Barca can focus on Milan without celebration parties and the Championship can be won for the fans in Camp Nou next week.

FC Sevilla – FC Barcelona 1-1

Visca el Barca!


Here are the odds for the game.

FC Barcelona 2,10

Draw 3,20
Sevilla CF 3,20


To place your bet click here

Match Preview: Friday 14/04/2006 20:30 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 33
FC Barcelona - Villareal CF

Camp Nou, Barcelona – capacity: 99.000


Referee: Muñiz Fernández


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés – Belletti, Puyol, Oleguer, Sylvinho – Van Bommel (Edmilson), Iniesta, Deco, - Giuly , Eto'o, Larsson – Manager: Frank Rijkaard



Villareal (4-4-2): Barbosa - Arruabarrena, Josemi,

Javi Venta, Quque Alvarez - Josico, Senna, Roger (Cazorla), Hector Font (Calleja) - Guayre, José Mari - Manager : Manuel Pellegrini


Barça and Villarreal both have Champions League semi finals next week, but for now, nothing matters more than the game in which they face each other at Camp Nou.


Frank Rijkaard believes both sides also have to think about the Spanish League.

We both have important European commitments, but we are both also focused on La Liga.

said the Dutch coach when asked whether he felt there was a lack of buzz surrounding Friday's game, given what both teams have ahead of them the week after.


FC Barcelona's Manager said he has left Ronaldinho out of the squad because the Brazilian Star has not trained for a few days and is not quite back to his best, so Rijkaard would rather rest him and have him back to full fitness for the next game.

From the other hand,Mexican Rafa Márquez is back, and Frank Rijkaard said:

it is great news that he has been given the medical all-clear. He is an important player in this team.

Villareal's Manager, Manuel Pellegrini, thinking ahead to the Champions League semi final with Arsenal, has decided to leave out several of his usual starters, including the ex-Barcelona players Juan Román Riquelme and Juan Pablo Sorín as well as Alessio Tacchinardi and Diego Forlán.


Villarreal have not lost on the road for 4 matches, and currently lie eighth in La Liga with 49 points, 2 points below a UEFA Cup place, and 9 below the Champions League. But although their league form has fallen below the standard set in the last few seasons, Villarrel comes at Camp Nou with their morale sky high following their continental exploits.




Our Prediction: Barça will win this match. The Catalan team plays at Camp Nou and a victory would be very important before next Wednesday Champions League match at San Siro against AS Milan. Barça 3 - Villareal 1



Here are the odds for the game.


FC Barcelona 1,40

Draw 4,00
Villareal 7,25


To place your bet click here

Match Preview: Sunday 09/04/2006 19:00 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 32
Racing Santander - FC Barcelona

El Sardinero, FC Barcelona – capacity: 22.500


Referee: Rubinos Pérez


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés – Belletti, Puyol, Edmilson, Gio (Silvinho) – Van Bommel , Iniesta, Deco, - Giuly , Eto'o, Larsson – Manager: Frank Rijkaard



Racing Santander (4-4-2): Aouate - Damià, Garay, Pablo Alfaro, Neru - Melo, Casquero, Matabuena, Vitolo - Pinilla, Valle (Oscar Serrano) - Manager : Manolo Preciado


FC Barcelona, the Primera Liga leader with 69 points travels to El Sardinero to take on Racing Santander (14th, 33 points) without Ronaldinho, Oleguer, Messi, Thiago Motta, Marquez and also Xavi. Barca coach Frank Rijkaard is not taking any risk before the semi finals against AC Milan. The Spanish Championship is nearly won, so he gives players a rest or let them recover from their recent injuries. Barça will still go out for a win, just to take off the pressure before next week's match against Villarreal, in which both sides are expected to take it a bit easier before their important semi finals in the Champions League against AC Milan and Arsenal. On Sunday Barça will meet fellow team mate Damià who does a great job for Racing Santander since his loan move in January. The right wing back scored 3 goals in 11 matches and is expected wanting to show that he is a great talent and good enough to get a place in the Barça squad next year.


Friday's training session saw Xavi back with the rest of the squad after two weeks of training on his own. But Barça coach Frank Rijkaard thought it was too early to call him up for a trip to Santander. Also Leo Messi was in full training but also young Messi will not be put at risk. Barca defender Rafael Marquez is still working his way back to full fitness following the hamstring injury he picked up against Real Sociedad. Oleguer will be rested to recover for the semi finals against Milan. The big surprise is that Ronaldinho is not making the trip to Santander and he will not be put at risk to play. His problems in his right leg are still existing and Barca Boss Rijkaard decided not to include him in the team.


Our Prediction: Barça Boss Frank Rijkaard has all the confidence in the rest of the team to take the 3 points home and get another step nearer towards the Spanish Championship title. Barca will again dominate and control the game with a ball possesion of around 60% and Giuly, Etoo and Larsson will be on goal scoring alert.

Racing Santander v FC Barcelona 0-2


Here are the odds for the game.

FC Barcelona 1,46

Draw 3,85
Racing Santander 6,50


To place your bet click here

Match Preview: Saturday 01/04/2006 22:00 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 31

FC Barcelona - Real Madrid
Camp Nou, Barcelona – capacity: 99.000


Referee: Médina Cantalajo


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Váldes – Oleguer, Puyol, Motta, Sylvinho (Gio) – Iniesta, Van Bommel, Deco, - Giuly (Larsson), Eto'o, Ronaldinho – Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Real Madrid (4-3-3):Casillas- Cicinho, Sergio Ramos, Rául Bravo, Roberto Carlos - Gravensen (Guti), Beckham, , Zidane - Ronaldo,Baptista,Robinho - Manager: López Caro





FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard named the following squad against Real Madrid:

Today is the game of the games in Spain´s Primera Liga and the fans on both side´s demand a win for their team. But two different world's collide in Barcelona´s Camp Nou tonight, when FC Barcelona and Real Madrid clash in “El Clasico”. With a 100,000 fantatic crowd home advantage and an incredible 11-point lead over their biggest rivals, Barça go into the match as overwhelming favourites. The frustrated Real Madrid fans as well as their own team, have given up on catching FC Barcelona before the end of the season. The attention is already focused on defending the 2nd place as well as on the planning of the next season. Who will be Real Madrid´s next coach?
For the Barça team gives more importance to the UEFA Champions League match next Wednesday against Benfica, which is considered as the highest priority because Barça desires the Champions Legue title.

But Barça fans, be sure about one thing: Once the referee Medina Cantalejo has whithled for the start of the match, the pitch of the Camp Nou will be burning and the atmosphere will be boiling.
There is nothing better for a Barça Fan, then to win the Spanish Championship title with another stunning performance against Real Madrid in his own stadium, the Camp Nou. When Barça wins, the spanish Championship title will stay at the “temple of football”, Camp Nou in Catalonia.

However, Real Madrid will be absolutely determined because “Los Merengues” will be looking for revenge for the devastating humiliation in front of their own fans in November earlier in the season when a Ronaldinho-inspired Barça left the Santiago Bernabeu with a resounding 3-0 win. The Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho scored two magical goals and even brought the Madrid fans to their feet in applause at his brilliance. If you want to enjoy this fantastic moment again, watch the video of Ronaldinho´s 2-0 again. Just for your pleasure, lay back, relax and... enjoy!It was one of the worst days in Real Madrid´s history and Wanderley Luxenburgo was soon axed thereafter and replaced by coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro who still, just about, has the position now.
Real Madrid will be with Guti, Pablo Garcia and David Beckham but still without Jonathan Woodgate. Also Ivan Helguera, Francisco Pavon and Carlos Diogo have not been included.


FC Barcelona have also injury problems. Rafael Marquez, Silvinho, Edmilson, Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez are all missing. Xavi is making excellent progress following knee surgery and will resume full training in the near future.

However, Barça have their inspirational captain Carles Puyol back after sitting out the last two matches against Malaga and Benfica due to yellow card suspensions.


Our prediction:
Today at 22:00 (GMT +2) all eyes will be set on Camp Nou. Once again, the Barça crowd will focus on Ronaldinho to outplay the Merengues. We all know what damage he did to Real in the first match this season in November and we would love to see it again. Barça did not score in the last 2 matches against Malaga and Benfica, despite creating many great goal scoring opportunities. We believe that the Bara team saved the goals for tonights match and next wednesday match. Samuel Eto'o will be back at his best. The current 'Pichichi' (league top scorer) and Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o will know where the goal is tonight. I am very confident that the favourites, Barca will outplay Real and the 100,000 crowd in Camp Nou will sing: "Madrid, C..... saluda al Campeón!


FC Barcelona 3 - 1 Real Madrid.


Visca el Barça i Visca Catalunya!




Do you want to bet?


Here are the odds for the game.

FC Barcelona 1,80

Draw 3,40
Real Madrid 4,00


To place your bet click here