More than a feeling

Finally, we reach the last leg of what hasn't exactly been the Fantastic Four. The footballing world were looking forward to this as much I am looking forward to Captain America (out in Spain on 5th August, btw). However, moments of Messilliance apart we have been treated to some fairly non-football matches, in comparison for example to Arsenal v Man Utd last Sunday. No, I don't think the Premier League is better than La Liga, but the two big boys have let us down is so many ways over the last few weeks.

After last week's bout it's round 4 this evening and noone in Barcelona, neither in Madrid I imagine, can see any outcome but the return of the Silver Surfer (see photo) and fellow superheroes to the Champions Final on the 28th May.

FCB are without Boyan, Milito, Maxwell, Pinto and Adriano tonight, but welcome back Andres Iniesta and a speedily-recovered Abidal. Whereas Real Madrid are without Gago, Khedira, Pepe and Sergio Ramos. They will be especially vunerable without the the two defenders, given that the last time they visited the Camp Nou they lost 5-0 in what was widely seen as the best "el Clasico" performance in recent memory. The insurers of the Barça's players' legs will be happy though.

I am not in a position to go into the ins and outs of the media war between the two clubs. Indeed, I find myself slightly bemused by all the media outrage when the antics of various players have helped pay for this Summer's holidays. Suffice to say that it's not only the keepers who have failed to come out of this series of matches with a clean sheet.

Prediction: More than a feeling that there will be more football played this evening than in the previous 3 matches combined and the final score will be FCB 3-1 The Men in White

The Beautiful Game

Tonight should be a cracker as, for many people, the two most attractive teams in Spain meet in a first v third clash in El Madrigal. A stadium where Villareal have lost only once this season in a blip of a match against the ridiculously improved Levante. Indeed both Bayern Leverkusen and Napoli have been defeated in the Europa League (next up FC Twente). Villareal have Spain's 4th choice keeper in Diego Alves who just missed out to Victor Valdés in the 2010 World Cup Squad. The strong defence also boasts Capdevila and tough-tacking Marchena, two players who of course did pick up World Cup medals. Borja Cazorla (ex-WBA), Cani, Santi Cazorla and Bruno make up a strong, but highly technical midfiled and the goal threat will come from Rossi, who played alongside Piqué at ManU, and Nilmar. They have a combined goal total of 26 which is only 1 short of Leo Messi's league total. FCB will be without Abidal, Puyo, Pedro and Maxwell who are all injured plus Xavi who is suspended. Speaking of suspensions you may see one or more of Valdés, Busquets, Mascherano and Messi get strange bookings in this game. They are all one card off a ban and surely it is better to sit out the home match against Almeria than the trip to the Bernabeu in two weeks' time? As ever it will be interesting to see how Barça's stars shake off any tiredness after international duty, but there is no reason why they shouldn't keep their lead over the Men In White to 5 points. They will go into the game knowing if an injury-hit Real Madrid have managed to beat Sporting Gijon, or not. The best news of all is that there will actually be a game. Something we did not get confirmed till Wednesday morning when a judge decided that 6 of the clubs who were against the LFP-led strike were right and that the games had to be played. The evil Empire, led by Darth Astiazarán, will strike back though in their attempts to strip the old man in the village, who can't afford subscription TV, of his Saturday night treat. Just another example of the short-sighted, greed of the majority of the "big" clubs in Spain, blah blah blah. Prediction: Villareal 1-3 FCB

7 times in 1 year!

There is so much going on off the field at Can Barça that, once again, the biggest threat to FCB may come from complacency. Yes, we all know that Pep Guardiola is an expert at avoiding it, but nobody has really said too much about this game. On today's El Mundo Deportivo you have to turn to page 14 for the first mention of The Michel Men. Getafe are sitting reasonably comfortable in mid-table although may still be feeling a little sick after conceding a draw to Athletic last Monday evening in the 94th minute.

There is the prospect of a Real Madrid v FCB CL semi-final clash which, means there is the possibility of beating the Men in White 7 times in 2011. Difficult I know, but certainly possible and I am sure there are Merengues who are worried about it. First of all Barça have to go to the Ukraine and Harry stands in the way of Joe.

Of course the biggest shock was the discovery of Eric Abidal's tumor. He is in hospital recovering from an apparently successful operation. Everyone wishes this excellent player and genuine man all the best. Obviously a terrible blow for Eric who this season has been arguably FCB's best defender.

FCB are also without Puyol, Maxwell and Pedro for the visit of the men from Madrid. So probable starts for Boyan and Milito. All of a sudden it seems a great idea that Milito didn't move on in the last transfer window. I still can't wait for some of the B team defenders to come through as well, Fontás looks the most likely. Maybe the fantastic four (Fontás, Bartra, Muniesa and Montoya) could have been given more minutes so far this season? You know, the last 10-15 minutes in the 5-0s?

Getafe have a very important player missing in midfield in the shape of Boateng, that is excellent news for the legs of Happy Feet and the Conductor. Watch out for the sharp-shooting Many who manager to score 3 goals in that 2-2 draw last Monday.

Getafe's recent record in the Camp Nou is excellent with 2 draws and that hard-fought defeat last season where although Barça won 2-1 they did so having had two men sent off, Pique and Marquez.

Prediction:

FCB 3-1 Getafe

What will the boy do next?

FCB visit the stadium where they practically sealed last year's league title. It wasn't easy though, Sevilla pulled 2 goals back in the 68th and 70th minutes to make it 2-3 and we were treated to one of the most exciting 20 minutes of the season (possible penalty on Kanouté by Piqué included).

Sevilla will be as well-supported as ever, always look forward to the pre-match Sevilla hymn, and urging their team on in search of 3 points to take them back into a European qualifying position. The threat on the field will come down both flanks with Jesus Navas on the right and either Perotti or Capel on the left. Upfront Negredo and/or Kanouté will provide a big aerial test for the likely pairing of Piqué and Abidal at the back. Luis Fabiano is no longer at the club after finally getting his wish to be transferred back to Brazil this week.

FCB are at full strength minus Puyol. There is a very positive vibe around the club after the convincing win over Arsenal in the Champions this week. Seems a pity that the press, especially in the UK, are focusing on one, albeit harsh, referee's decision rather than Messi's latest invention. It is not just that he scores so many goals, it's the variety of them. Last week we had a rerun of the Ladrup/Romario classic with the aid of Keita in Mallorca, but against Arsenal he actually scored a goal unlike any other. Look at it again and try to stop yourself going ahhhh!

This ia big game and the first of 3 away games that will surely decide the league. Next up are Villareal and the Men in White.

Prediction:

Sevilla 1-3 FCB

Mind Games

So after all the mind games and newspaper articles it looks like FC Barcelona will be without the PP partnership at the back and Arsenal will have to defend their 2-1 lead without Robin Van Persie (included in the 19, but likely to be cut when the squad is reduced to 18, or not - almost as long a running saga as the Cesc transfer), Walcott and Song. As the name of the game for Arsenal is to stop Barça playing Song could be the player most missed by the Gunners. Whereas FCB did not have Piqué and Puyol at the back last year and M&M were solid enough. This time it will be Abidal and Sergio Busquets at the back. Wonder when we will see the excellent youngsters, Bartra and Fontás (Barça B and Spanish U21s) coming through?

FC Barcelona go into the game on the back of 3 convincing clean-sheet victories in Mallorca and Valencia and home to Zaragoza at the weekend. Victor Valdés returned and pulled off a vital save to stop Sinama levelling the game for the team from Aragon. It would have been a tad unjust as FCB had enjoyed 80% of possession of the ball and some of the passing was as sublime as ever. Valdés will be the only player starting for FCB who was in the starting line-up against the Arse in the 2006 Paris Final.

Arsenal have not won anything for 5 years and we do not know how badly they have been hit by that last minute cock-up against Birmingham in the League Cup Final last week. Last season Bendtner gave them a 1-0 lead, but then Messi hit them for 4 goals and that also might play on the minds of the young Arsenal team. Arsene Wenger is talking about palying a different style, but I am not sure this Arsenal team is built to do so so expect a cracking game of football.

Andrés Iniesta will become the toungest Barça player to hit the 350 game mark and at 26 he may end up catching and overtaking Xavi.

Prediction:

FCB 3-1 Arsenal

Have you got a bigger one than us?

Zaragoza turn up at the Camp Nou missing 7 players through a combination of injuries and suspicious suspensions which some people might think means we are in for a repeat of last Thursday's events at the Bernabeu where Real Madrid put 7 past Malaga. Modern football is rubbish. More and more managers think it acceptable to put out weakened teams in cup and league games. Three key players, Contino, Ponzio and Captain Gabi are all out, but back for a more winnable home match against Valencia last weekend. Keep an eye out for No. 8, Ander (pictured), the stylish, Spanish U21 midfielder already signed for next season by his hometown club, Atheltic Club Bilbao.

FC Barcelona's biggest injury problem is poor Pep who has spent the last couple of days in hospital, albeit one with a view of the Camp Nou. It is looking possible that Pepe will need an operation in the Summer. Carles Puyol will be back today at least on the bench and then ready to lead the troops on Tuesday against the Gunners. Today also sees the return of Victor Valdés. Three Barça players, Busquets, Mascherano and Messi will have to avoid being booked if they want to be in Sevilla a week tomorrow.

Today is a day of rotations and to be honest, most Cules have their minds on Tuesday. Hopefully that won't be the case with the players as Pep will remind them of Athens.

Prediction:

FCB 6-1 Zaragoza

p.s. I think the Zaragoza players are here to do some shopping and to check out if our El Coret Inglés is bigger than theirs.

V for Victory

Villa returns to Mestalla where he spent 5 more or less happy years ( I think we can question the last season as he had been so close to leaving in the Summer of 2009) scoring an average of 20+ league goals a season. He has scored in his last 4 games and is gunning to beat his personal best in the league of 28 goals. It will be interesting to see the reception he gest from his ex-fans.

Abidal is in the best form of his life and on current form the idea of a new 2-year contract doesn't seem such a bad idea. Strange to think that Pep Guardiola had to drag him into the centre of the defence.

Losing is not really an option, is it? FC Barcelona have lost 1 away league game in 2 seasons with the last one being in the Vicente Calderon on Valentine's Day, 2010. Valencia did win an exciting contest last Sunday in Bilbao and are unbeaten in 9 games. However, they are irregular at home where they have only lost once, but have also drawn with Zaragoza and Sporting Gijon.

Ever Banega is a frustrating midfielder who on his day can cause problems. It is just that he has to decide whether those problems are for the opponents or his own manager. And he is not the only one. Both Miguel and Chori Dominguez were dropped from the squad last weekend for "discipline" problems. Valencia's player problems seem to be a continuation of the Koeman days who won the least celebrated cup in the history of European football.

Navarro is in the news because of his clashes with various Athletic Club Bilbao players last Sunday and I must admit that it is very unusual to hear the Basques complaining about rough treatment. Last time they met here David Navarro gave a Norman Hunter-style welcome to Messi within seconds. Keep an eye on him tonight.

Chelsea beat Man U last night and that must have cheered the Premier League and Sky TV bosses no end. Just as a Valencia win tonight would cheer up the Spanish FA President, Angel "I can out Blatter Blatter and become world leader" Villar, and help him defend against the sensation that the Spanish League duopoly is no better than the Scottish one.

Iniesta led FCB to victory in Mallorca, and in the absence of Puyol (Valdés and Jeffren are also out) Xavi returns to take the captain's armband.

Aduritz is out so expect Valencia to start with just Soldado upfront. Alves returns for Barcelona so expect Pinto, Alves, Pique, Abdial and Maxwell, Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets, Pedro, Villa and Messi so start.

Prediction: Valencia 1-3 FCB - V is for Victory