Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona

27/1- As the league proceeds into the second half of the season Barcelona are getting desperate to close the gap on league leaders Real Madrid. With a difference of 7 points between them, time is running out for the second placed team. As they travel to take on Athletic Bilbao they would be hoping to continue the winning streak, they have won their last three matches and all have been quite convincing as well. While Athletic have been a mixed bag team, placed 15^th on the points table they are level on points with many teams and are out of the relegation zone only because of a better goal difference. In the past matches between the clubs, Barcelona are the clear dominators and they have won 18 of their last 29 meets, while 5 matches have been drawn. While playing in Athletic Bilbao’s home ground the record is even better for Barca.

Barcelona are undoubtedly the second best team in the competition this season and they are surely lacking the magic of Ronaldinho. They are going through a very good phase currently and looked good when they beat Racing Santander, 1-0, at home last week to register a third continuous victory. Lionel Messi has been their best player this season but he is out due to injury but the presence on Henry and Ronaldinho has kept the team at the second place. The only thing on their mind would be a full three points and they would also be hoping that Real Madrid have a slip and they can catch up before it becomes too late.

Athletic Bilbao would not rejoice facing Barca at this stage of the competition when they are fighting for their own survival and a big loss could mean a push down in the relegation zone. A point from this home tie would be highly satisfying for the side but as of now it looks unlikely.

Prediction: 0-2, Barcelona win

Barcelona vs Racing Santander

20/1- Barcelona would have their attention diverted with the match between Real and Atletico Madrid occupying a good part of their attention. Barca would be worried about Real stretching further with their lead while a win for Atletico would bring them too close to Barca and their Champions League position could be a threat. They would aptly want that the match in Madrid ends in a draw and they can possibly win their match against Racing Santander. Racing Santander would be no walk over and their 6^th position is an indicator of their form and the team also has a good amount of potential to hold up Barca as well. More than anything Racing will be inclined to secure their position as well and that would make the match even more interesting. The biggest issue that Racing could possibly face is that they have not been able to defend that well and Barca are a high scoring side.

Messi and Henry are the two players that would possibly make a difference in the match from the end of Barca. The form exhibited by them in their match last week against Murcia was ominous for the club fans and the 4-0 margin highlighted the dominance they have over their rivals. They have lost out big time on the fight for the top spot with Real Madrid but it is only constant consistent performances can possibly bring them to a level where they can challenge the league leaders but that would also require Real losing their form and losing some matches, which currently seems impossible.

Racing Santander enter the match after two consecutive matches, their away win against Osasuna last week helped their cause of maintaining their spot in the top 6. Montana has been their prolific player and has scored 6 goals already. It is set to be an interesting match between two competitive sides.

Prediction: 2-1, Barca win

Mallorca vs Barcelona

5/1- As Laliga returns after the Christmas break all teams would be hoping to gain momentum in the second half of the season, Barcelona struggled in their last match played against Real Madrid and as a result now stand at the second position, 7 point adrift from the league leaders. In the first match of the new year, they travel to Mallorca in the quest of the champions crown. Mallorca, the 10th placed team, had been struggling before the break, in the last 4 matches played in the league they lost 2 and drew 2 hence they could only manage 2 points of 4 matches and the worst part is that their last match against Osasuna, they were comprehensively beaten.

Looking at the past records between the clubs, Barcelona have been the dominant side, of the last 20 matches played, Barcelona have won on 12 occasions while 3 have been draws hence Mallorca have won only 5 times. Mallorca’s home form also has not been that impressive this season and they have struggled at times, with Webo and Nunes out of contention,, the problems for the home team are further aggravated. But Mallorca can hope that Guiza, Arango and Ibagaza can produce the quality of football they are known for and this would increase the club’s chances of getting a few points of this match.

Barcelona would be stepping on the field with Messi, who has been their most reliable goal source this season and with Henry appearing to be tentative starter it is important that Ronaldinho can find a glimpse of the form he displayed in the previous seasons. Barca would be looking for 3 points from this away tie to cut down on Real Madrid’s lead. Mallorca on the other hand would try to ensure that they can get at least a point of this match.

Prediction: 2-2

Barcelona vs Real Madrid

23/12- This would probably be the match of this Laliga season with Real Madrid marching ahead by 4 points, Barcelona would be looking to cut it down to just a point when they host Real Madrid. The teams being placed 1st and 2nd on the points table are the two biggest competitors in the Spanish region. While Barcelona are entering this home tie after three consecutive wins, Real Madrid are visiting after recording 4 wins in as many matches. The thing that might work in the home team’s however is that Barcelona have not lost a point at home this season but the fact is that they might have not faced a side as good as Real Madrid and the visitors are the 3rd best team when it comes to away matches in Laliga.

Barcelona would be supported by a strong home advantage however they would be missing two of their top three scorers as Thiery Henry and Lionel Messi are likely to miss out on this tie. This leaves them with Ronaldinho as their only regular attacking option, though on his day he can be difficult to handle, as of the current scenario it would not appear that he alone would cause too much concern for the Real Madrid defense. The only hope the Barca team management and supporters would have is Samuel Eto who is on a comeback streak.

Real on the other hand appear to be a confident outfit and have managed to build a 4 point advantage over their closest rivals, Barca. With Raul and Van Nistelrooy in great scoring form they would be looking to extend their lead or at least maintain it. Even if Real lose the match they would retain the top spot and that would help the club to relax before an otherwise tense away tie, but the fun begins with the whistle when it kicks off at Barcelona.

Prediction: 0-1, Real win

Valencia vs Barcelona

15/12- This match will be a giant taking on another giant. Both the teams are equally competent but there can be a few twists in the tale. Barcelona will be confident after last week’s win against Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia would be quite happy with an away draw last week at Osasuna. Valencia are playing at home but the problem they are facing this season is the home disadvantage, out of the seven games played this season at home among the Laliga matches Valencia has lost 4 matches which is more than 50% loss at home, the last loss being just a couple of weeks ago against Athletic Bilbao. Valencia in the past month has dropped out of the top 5 and is struggling to maintain the pace with the league leaders.

 

With Baraja, Joaquin and Villa Sanchez missing due to injury, Valencia have 3 of their top 5 scorers this season out and this is turning out to be a big blow. The home fans just need to hope that their solo strike force Morientes can show some glimpse of the magic he showed in the earlier matches. Henry will also not play for Barca and that is something the Valencia defense will be about but when they see the likes of Ronaldinho and Messi powering at the goal they might just not have the time to think that.

 

The match would have been a very tight and close encounter if both sides were at full strength but Valencia look to be out of venom and Barcelona are looking to capitalize, the only thing that can pull Barcelona back is the statistical factor that shows that they have managed only one away victory this season. Hence Barcelona would be trying to close the gap on leader Real Madrid when the whistle blows this Saturday in Valencia, but lets wait and watch!

 

Prediction: 1-1

Champions league: Group E: BARCELONA vs. STUTTGART

Although the outcome of this group E match won’t change the final standings of the teams involved, it will still give the two coaches the opportunity to rest some of the players and at the same time try out new ideas. Barcelona goes into this game having already won the group, and coach Frank Rijkaard will want to give his midfield and forward regulars a break. So I don’t expect to see Leo Messi on the pitch or for that matter Xavi Hernandez or Andres Iniesta. Also out through injury will be Thierry Henry and it is doubtful whether Ivory Coast midfielder Touré Yaya will make the fitness test in time. It is more likely that he will be left out to concentrate on getting 100% for the next league match. Samuel Eto’o and Deco both managed to play some part in the two one home win over Deportivo de la Coruña at the weekend, and will probably be given some minutes in this game too. Their next league match is away to Valencia and then at home to Real Madrid in the classic, so the next two matches could really make or break Barca’s season.

Stuttgart are bottom of the group and can’t even hope for a UEFA cup place. In the Bundesliga they aren’t having much of a season either, being stuck in eighth position and nine points behind leaders Bayern Munich. They will probably be glad to get this match over and done with so they can concentrate on winning a UEFA cup spot in next year’s competition. They also have just one more domestic league match to play before the Bundesliga ends for the winter break, so this might be a good time for coach Armin Veh to try out some new ideas or give some of the players who haven’t figured much a run out.

You really have to fancy Barcelona for this game. Even without the ‘fantastic four’, they will still have enough talent to easily wipe Stuttgart out of the way with another triumph. Rijkaard would be very wise to rest his best players though, as the next two games in Barca’s fixture list are much more important than this one.

Prediction: Home win (3-0)

Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruna

9/12- Barcelona will play hosts to Deportivo La Caruna as they aim to pick up 3 points from this home encounter. Currently placed second, four points behind leaders Real Madrid, Barca would be looking to get as close as a point to them. Moreover if Barca are not able to convert this game into the full three points they could potentially be dropped out of the top 3. The form of the home team is not a worry at all as they have won all their home matches this season and have conceded just three goals which again is the lowest for the current season.

 

Deportivo La Coruna are probably experiencing one of their worst season in Laliga and have been a part of the relegation zone for some time now and another loss would mean that their chances of getting off the relegation zone will also suffer a huge setback. The good news for Deportivo is that Barca will not play Henry and Ronaldinho as they are not fully fit. On the other hand Barca has found timely replacements as Eto and Deco both of whom have recovered from their injuries.

 

While Barca negotiated a tough away dram against Espanyol last week, Deportivo continued their slumping form against Osasuna last week. Messi has been in prolific form for Barca and he might just be the man to look out for while Deportivo might be hoping that their striking force led by Riki can start delivering the desired results. Deportivo would also be quite happy to earn a point out of this tie as this would at least give them some hope of jumping out of the relegation zone and hence Deportivo might just go for an attacking field. Barca on the other hand cannot be satisfied with anything else but victory.

 

Prediction: Barcelona win 2-1

Champions league: Lyon vs. Barcelona

Current Group E leaders Barcelona travel to Lyon this week to play Lyon in what could be a surprise match for the Spanish club. They only need a point to be sure of qualifying for the next round and (and probably win the group) but their away form has been dreadful this season and they won’t be playing the same lackluster Lyon of a couple of months ago. Barcelona do have some reasons to be cheerful, though. Goalkeeper Victor Valdes is still unbeaten in this edition of the Champions League, and the team will in all probability welcome back out Samuel Eto’o, who has been out injured these past three months. It’s unlikely he will play from the start, but he will probably get a chance in the second half. Out of sorts Brazilian star Ronaldhino, who missed their weekend home win over lowly Recreativo de Huelva due to ‘fatigue’ should also make an appearance. There has been all kinds of media attention recently, most of it surrounding the Brazilian. First Barca companion and also Brazilian Edmilson was interviewed and went on about a ‘black sheep’ in the club. This didn’t sit well with the other players but the directors and coaches played it down. Many feel this was a direct swipe at Ronaldhino himself, who doesn’t seem to be pulling his weight and looks as if he is more interested in his advertising deals than his football. Coach Frank Rijkaard has also been under the spotlight, and it is anyone’s guess about will happen to him and his job in the long term (or even short term come to think of it).

Lyon for their part have turned their season around quite nicely. They are now leading the French ‘Le Chamionnat’ by three points, and have also successfully turned their fortunes around in this Champions League group by beating Stuttgart twice in the space of two weeks. They now take on Barcelona at home looking for revenge for the three nil mauling they received in the opening game.

I’m going for a Lyon win here. Barcelona just can’t be trusted away from the Nou Camp, where most teams play like frightened rabbits. It won’t be a high scoring game, mostly because of Victor Valdes’ great form, but I expect them to lose by a goal or two.

Prediction: Home win (1-0)

Barcelona vs Recreativo Huelva

The tie would be termed as David takes on Goliath under normal circumstances but things have been different this season. The hugely talented Barcelona has not been living up to all the expectations from Ronaldinho and Messi, who have shown a glimpse of brilliance every now and then but lack consistency. Though this will be a home tie for Barcelona it for sure should be quite a stoll in the park. Placed in the bottom half of the table, Recreativo Huelva has what it takes to beat a top Spanish club and that they proved last week by the one goal win over Osasuna but probably they are way short of the top league experience.

Recreativo Huelva would once again bank on Carlos Martins who delivered in the previous game but will also miss the services of Gerard Lopez who had been red carded and playing against Barcelona in Barcelona is never easy. Also the away form for Recreativo Huelva has been nothing to boast about so they need to watch out. On the other hand Barcelona might just grab this opportunity to make a statement after their last week loss; this would probably have a full strength Barcelona team starting off. Going by the law of averages it is high time some one from Henry, Ronaldinho or Messi delivers. But on the defensive note Barca will miss out on the services of Italian full back Zambrotta.

The match may surely not be a thriller to the core but fans can expect a goal feast from the talent pool called Barcelona; also it will not be surprising if at the end of 90 minutes at Camp Nou, Barcelona is just a point of the leaders, who play later that night. The odds will be 8:2 heavily in favor of the home team, Barcelona.

Prediction: 3-1, Barcelona win

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