FCB v Almeria (my hero comes to town)

Before we say anything else let me just say how keen I am to meet tonight's referee - Matheu Lahoz. If diving is the joke(r) of modern day football meet Batman. This ref had a brilliant game in the Bernabeu in the derby between the 2 Madrid sides and it was great to see the faces on the players as they pleaded for free-kicks only to see the ref wasn't interested.

FC Barcelona entertain Almeria, and probably the few fans in the stadium and the many more watching on TV, this evening in the Kings Cup semis at 2200hrs. It does seem strange to complain of crowds of "only" 50000-70000, but given that the the best football in the world is on offer, maybe not. Attendance is affected by the cold weather (not so bad if you look at this photo from this morning), the fact every single FCB match is televised and the kick-off times of 2200hrs. When are the football authorities (clubs, leagues and TV companies) going to realise that half-empty stadiums don't make for good TV?

On the footballing front Pep Guardiola is having to battle against complacency. Understandable given that FCB beat Almeria 8-0 in the league in November and although they have drawn against Real Madrid and beaten both Deportivo (cup game) and Osasuna in their last 3 games they are still in the releation zone. Watch out for key players Crusat and Piatti on the wings for Almeria and we will all be waiting to see whether José Luis Oltra, Almeria's manager, sticks with cup goalie Esteban or brings in the excellent keeper Diego Alves. Surely he will have to put in his first choice as Almeria want the second leg to be "alive" and avoid the attendance figure of 3,300 in the quarter finals?

FCB will be without Carles Puyol who will miss this plus the return league match in Alicante on Sunday v Hercules (only team to beat FC Barcleona in the league this season). Boyan and Alves have also had fitness problems, but should be OK for this evening. Expect Pep Guardiola to put out 90% of his gala team.

In the other semi-final Sevilla take on Real Madrid in what should be a fiery encounter in the Sanchez Pizjuan after Sevilla made a ridiculous advert delaring "war" on Real Madrid. RM have signed Adebayor and one can only wish them luck in bringing the best out of the Togo international :-)

Prediction:

FCB 3-1 Almeria

P.S. Happy Birthday to the best orchestra leader in the world - Xavi Hernandez 31 yesterday!