Leo Messi has been left out of the squad for tomorrow evening’s game against Osasuna in Pamplona. With a Champions League game at home to Lyon on Wednesday it has been decided that it is not worth risking an aggravation to the calf strain that Messi picked up playing for Argentina this week.

The big question now is who will play up front with Henry and Ronaldinho. Eidur Gudjohnsen and 17-year-old Bojan Krkic come into the squad for the first time this season in place of Messi and Rafa Marquz who is serving a one-match ban. Gudjohnsen and Bojan will compete with Giovani dos Santos and Andres Iniesta for Messi’s place in the starting line-up. Personally, I’d like to see Giovani get the nod, but I have a sneaky feeling that Rijkaard will opt for Iniesta tomorrow.

The other questions that Rijkaard will have to face are the central defence pairing and which two will play in front of Toure in midfield. At the back I think he’ll go for Oleguer and Milito as it seems Thuram is not fully fit. If Iniesta plays furthur forward then Xavi and Deco will definitely start in midfield.

Osasuna will not announce their squad until tomorrow, but they are likely to make few chances from the team that drew 0-0 with Athletic Bilboa. Their danger men in attack will be Javier Portillo and Walter Pandiani.

Last season the two sides drew 0-0 in Pamplona.

Barça’s squad for the game is as follows: Valdés, Jorquera, Oleguer, Milito, Thuram, Sylvinho, Zambrotta, Abidal, Deco, Xavi, Iniesta, Toure Yaya, Ronaldinho, Henry, Gudjohnsen, Bojan, Giovani, Ezquerro.

Possible starting XI: Valdés; Zambrotta, Oleguer, Milito, Abidal; Toure, Xavi, Deco; Iniesta (or Giovani), Henry, Ronaldinho.

My Prediction: Osasuna 1 Barça 1