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