Fc Barcelona - Malaga Preview

Malaga vs BarcelonaFC Barcelona's great form in recent weeks should have send the shivers down the Malaga camp when the Catalan visit La Rosaleda tonight; but Malaga's sensational upset of Sevilla last week had boosted their confidence and they would be looking to stop the free rolling Barca team. FC Barcelona is seeking a 11 consecutive victories in all competion and seven consecutive in the league. Guardiola has excluded Pedro and Gudjonsen from the squad even after the medical team has given all clear for them. The squad picket for Malaga clash is Valdés, Henry, Márquez, Xavi, Piqué, Iniesta, Puyol, Cáceres, Sylvinho, Bojan, Eto'o, Messi, Hleb, Alves, Touré, Pinto, Sergio Busquets and Víctor Sánchez. Guardiola is expected to pick his best eleven available for tonight's clash. Malaga will play a very defensive style while attacking on counter; tonight's match will a clear test for FC barcelona's title ambitions especially in the Europe. If they are successful in breaking the Malaga defense then this would seriously elevate FC Barcelona to Champions League top contender. Malaga goal is being guarded by the ex-barca player Francesc Arnau, who sounded cautious about the encounter. Malaga has been into an excellent run of form similiar to Barcelona after a shocking start. One of the team has to lose that winning streak; may be both of them.

With Abidal out with injury, Sylvinho is expected to take the Left-Back role. Another option left to Guardiola is to put Puyol on the left and have Marquez and Pique at the centre. But I expect the combination of Sylvinho, Puyol, Marquez and Alves ahead of Valdes. With the unavailabilty of Gudjonsen, the midfield can be expected to be same as the Almeria match formed by Toure flanked by Xavi and Iniesta in both sides. Up front of the pitch Messi and Eto are sure guarantee; but Guardiola may be preferring Hleb ahead of Henry. FC Barcelona should be able to win this tough match. La Rosaleda is not a great place to travel and Barca's previous results stands as a testimony to that. But this FC Barcelona side with their determination to grind results should be able to see oof the Malaga challenge, maybe very narrowly.