A Nice Bit of Tote

Close your eyes and imagine FC Barcelona losing in Alicante today. Can you see it? You can't? Well nor can anybody else. Yes, Hercules threw Barça to the ground in the Camp Nou earlier in the season, but that's just another reason why FCB will not lose this evening.

Reasons to be Cheerful (parts 1,2,3):

i) FCB are going for a record breaking 15 leagus wins on the trot and will be very focused.

ii) Whereas FCB are without half their PP at the back (Puyol is out) Hercules are missing both their regular centr-halves, Paz and Pamarot.

iii) As Colsa said after Racing were beaten 3-0 recently, "they are on a different level, they make you stop feeling like a footballer".

There are players to watch out for, in particular the wonderfully elegant Tote in midfield. How come so many of the best players to watch are left- footed? Tote started off at Real Madrid, stood out in Valladolid and has been a constant cause of oohing sounds at Hercules for 5 seasons now.

Barça are also missing jeffren and Boyan, but expect Pep to put out the strongest 11 possible to ensure 3 points and a 7 point lead over the Men in White. RM travel to Pamplona tomorrow to face an Osasuna only beaten once at home this season.

Isn't it wonderful when the only pre-match question is how many your team will win by?

Prediction:

Hercules 1-3 FCB

p.s. The best ref in Spain, Matheu Lahoz, is having a well-earned break this weekend after a great performance in the FCB v Almeria game last Wednesday!