There is a return to the squad for Leo Messi and Oleguer Presas, while new signing Jose Manuel Pinto will start his first match on the bench as Victor Valdés’s understudy. Frank Rijkaard has stated that Messi is not ready to play 90 minutes so the Argentinian will most likely start as a substitute.
Racing are one of this season’s surprises and coach Marcelino Garcia Toral deserves a lot of credit for taking them up to sixth place in La Liga. So far they are unbeaten in 2008 having won four and drawn one of their games. Garcia Toral has declared that next week’s Copa Del Rey game is more important than the visit to Camp Nou, so hopefully he will rest some players; however, whoever plays is sure to give 100% once they get on the pitch. Racing will be without Smolarek and Munitis who are both injured, so 18-year-old Ivan Bolido and Burundi striker Mohammed Tchité will probably start up front. Racing are particularly dangerous at set pieces, two of their goals in the 4-2 win over Zaragoza on Wednesday came from free kicks.
Frank Rijkaard may also decide to rotate some players as he did in last week’s league game with Murcia. However, he should be careful as Racing will prove to be a much harder test. Barça will be hoping to make up some ground on Real Madrid this weekend as they have a tough game against neighbours Atletico, but it is important that Barça keep their minds on their own game or they may find themselves slipping up.
Barça and Racing drew 0-0 in the first game of the season in El Sardinero, and last season Barça won the game at Camp Nou 2-0 with two goals from Ronaldinho. The Brazilian is still out injured, so tomorrow Barça will need to find their magic from someone else.
The 18-man squad for the game is: Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Oleguer, Puyol, Thuram, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho, Marquez, Xavi, Deco, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Messi, Giovani, Henry, Bojan.
Possible starting XI: Valdés; Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal; Xavi, Marquez, Gudjohnsen; Iniesta, Bojan, Henry.
My Prediction: Barça 2 Racing 1
Please send your prediction.
14 responses so far ↓
Michael Maré // Jan 19, 2008 at 19:04
i predict a score-line of 2-0 to barca
Youssef Gazia // Jan 19, 2008 at 19:52
3-0 barcelona, i hope.
Siim // Jan 19, 2008 at 20:00
Barcelona 2 - 0 Racing
Speeka // Jan 19, 2008 at 22:06
I hope we see Henry continue terrorizing the opo’s defence.
Meggy // Jan 19, 2008 at 23:29
Barça 4 Racing 1
FCB - Canada // Jan 20, 2008 at 1:13
3-0 Barca. I have a feeling this will be the time to capitalize on Real Madrid. I feel a tie or loss for them.
e10 // Jan 20, 2008 at 3:37
I hope we see Henry pick up from what he had done last week.
Barca 3-1.
And hopefully Real loses to Atletico.
Blaugrana // Jan 20, 2008 at 7:16
2-0 to barça,ronaldinho IS injured tendonitis is a complex injury and takes time to heal and it always comes back to haunt you.i hope messi get’s in the game while we winning.
R.Marsh // Jan 20, 2008 at 17:54
i predict a 3-1 victory for barca,with goals coming from henry and iniesta. Hope for a full 100% recovery for Ronaldhino as he is a vital part of the Barca team despite all the Negatives that has been said about him
Blaugrana // Jan 20, 2008 at 20:14
Real madrid are 2-0 up at atletico, a win is imperative now,
Titi186 // Jan 20, 2008 at 23:12
Hi again, my prediction is 1-0 to Barca, Henry or Iniesta goal
Nic // Jan 21, 2008 at 0:49
Well done Titi!!! A prediction after the final whistle that wasn’t sure about the goalscorer. Nearly fooled me mate
Blaugrana // Jan 21, 2008 at 5:45
Titi that’s just being stupid,what are you trying to prove
jojo // Jan 23, 2008 at 14:41
sooper retur Barca 7-0 Sporting
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