Come on you rambling boys of pleasure

Not ladies of easy leisure, but they do say some of the prettiest ladies come from Almeria. Not that Gerard and the boy will have much time to discover how true that is as FC Barcelona tend to travel as late as possible, get the job done and get out of there.

FC Barcelona go into the game with Almeria knowing a win would take them top of La LIga, albeit till not long after 2200hrs as Real Madrid shouldn't have too many problems with an injury hit Athletic. The big problem facing Pep Guardiola (named as best dressed sportsman by all but one of the leading candidates in next week's Catlan elections) is at centre half. No Milito and no Abidal means that he will be tempted to go with his PP partnership of Puyol and Pique. However, Pique is one booking away from a suspension which would mean him missing El Classico on the 29th of this month. What would you do? I think the majority of fans would vote for bringing in Fontás who although he has only 5 minutes experience in the league has always impressed in friendlies and cup matches as he did in Ceuta last month. He is a converted midfielder and many think a ready made replacement for Gerard Pique.

Almeria will be without one of their most exciting midfielders in Albert Crusat (ex-Espanyol), but will pose a threat upfront with Kalu Uche and Piatti. In defence look out for the wonderfully named Peruvian Acasiete and the excellent Brazilian keeper Diego Alves.

Prediction: 2-2 has been the result in 2 of FCB's last 3 games in the Mediterranean Games Stadium so I'll go for Almeria 1-3 FC Barcelona.