The Unbeatable come to town

FC Barcelona, group D winners, will look to beat Rubin Kazan at the fourth time of asking. No other team can come close to Rubin's record run of 1 victory and 2 draws against Barça. FCB may be able to rest some of their starting 11 even though Pep could be tempted to go for starting the same players for a third match in a row after doing so against Real Madrid and Osasuna. Surely some of his boys will need a rest after running for the train at the weekend?

Kurban Berdyev should set up a consultancy for managers about to face FCB as he has tactically matched Pep Guardiola in the 3 previous meetings. Watch out for the goal threat of the Equadorian Christian Noboa who is particularly dangerous from the penalty spot, having scored both of Rubin's group stage goals from there. The real interest will come from seeing if FCB can carry on with this magnificient run of form that has seen them score 19 goals without Valdes conceding 1 in the last 4 games. That is if you take no notice of the Catalan Cup which is what most people do anyway. Barça are back to passing with precision and pace and quite simply nobody does it better.

We could also get to see Pinto after his ban for whistling and some of the younger players trying to break through like the wonderfully named Jonathan Dos Santos (the new Xavi?) or Bartra or Fontas at the back. Although Barça are already through any excuse to watch the sexiest team on the planet will do.

Prediction:

FCB 3-1 Rubin Kazan

By the way the picture is of the Círculo Equestre where the Club directors of both clubs will be having a bite to eat on the day of the game. It is on the corner of Balmes Street and Avenida Diagonal and is yet anothe example of the beautiful architecture of Barcelona.