Search OleOle:

Home > FIFA > UEFA > Spain > La Liga > Barcelona > FCBnews > Preview: Barça - Almeria

« Previous Post Next Post »

Preview: Barça - Almeria

Friday, 24 October 08, 11:32 AM · Comments (19)

Thierry Henry in last season's game with Almeria

Pep Guardiola will not name the squad for tomorrow night's match with Almeria (kick off 10pm) until after tomorrow's midday training session; however, it seems unlikely that he will make any changes to the group that travelled to Switzerland to hammer Basle 0-5 on Wednesday. Barça will be looking to extend their winning run to nine games.

Almeria are proving that last season's eighth place finish was no flash in the pan and this season are doing even better, currently sitting in sixth position with 11 points from 7 games. Much of the reason for Almeria's success is centre forward Alvaro Negredo who scored 13 times last season and this season his goal tally has already reached five, while in 23-year-old Diego Alves they also have one of the best young goalkeeper's around. Barcelona born Albert Crusat is fit again and could return to the team on the left side of midfield.

Guessing Pep Guardiola's team selection is becoming extremely difficult but we can expect to see a return to the starting lineup for Andres Iniesta and Samuel Eto'o, while there could also be a return in defence for Eric Abidal and Gerard Pique after both players were left out of the Basle game. Valdés, Puyol, Xavi and Messi would all also seem to be sure starters for the game.

This is one of those awkward home games: having won so comfortably on Wednesday there could be a tendency for over confidence; Almeria are a well organized team who despite their low budget last season managed to win away at Valencia and Sevilla while beating Real Madrid at home; and also we have had a few breaks in our winning run, could tomorrow be a day when our luck runs out?

Squad to be announced tomorrow.

Possible starting XI: Valdés, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi, Toure, Busquets; Messi, Eto'o, Iniesta.

My Prediction: Barça 2 Almeria 1

Like this blog? Help spread the word:

Tags: Match Previews

Topics:

Posted by fcbnews_nic | Comments (19)

19 Comments · Add yours

1. Maverick977 Wrote: | 19.42CEST | Oct 24, 2008

I m kinda worried abt this game...Almeria are doing really well this season so far...I hope there's no feeling of complacency in the squad...I m expectin it to be a tough game...

My prediction:

Barca 2 - 1 Almeria

2. FCB88 Wrote: | 20.10CEST | Oct 24, 2008

3-0 barca!

3. blaugrana_namibia Wrote: | 21.34CEST | Oct 24, 2008

3-2

4. layibiyi Wrote: | 21.48CEST | Oct 24, 2008

barca 5- 1 almeria

5. Titi186 Wrote: | 22.55CEST | Oct 24, 2008

My team prediction: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi, Toure, Iniesta, Henry, Eto, Messi

Score prediction: 1-0

6. MikeM Wrote: | 08.25CEST | Oct 25, 2008

1-0 to barca

It's going to be a tough game,so I hope there's no lack of concentration

7. FCB-Holland Wrote: | 11.40CEST | Oct 25, 2008

My selection: Pinto, Alves - Pujo l- Pique - Caceres , Xavi - Yaya -Iniesta , Messi - Eto'o - Hleb.
My prediction: Barça 3-0 .

8. Frede Wrote: | 13.31CEST | Oct 25, 2008

i dont feel confident at all one this one. my prediction:
barca 2-2 almeria

9. blaugrana_namibia Wrote: | 16.48CEST | Oct 25, 2008

shit the ref is gonna be that idiot that hates barca who was referreing in the classico at bernabeu the squre jawed turd

10. fcbnews_nic Wrote: | 17.11CEST | Oct 25, 2008

It's true, the ref is Perez Burrull who always seems to have something against us. I remember a game at the end of the 2006/2007 season at home to Getafe where he was dreadful (see my report of that game here - LINK)
He even warned Messi before the game not to dive! - LINK

11. fcbnews_nic Wrote: | 17.14CEST | Oct 25, 2008

Hmm, first link doesn't seem to work. I'll try it again - LINK

12. FCB-Holland Wrote: | 18.08CEST | Oct 25, 2008

fcbnews--nic:
It is interesting to know that eight of the players on that roaster are no longer with the club. What a turnover !!

13. SoccerFan Wrote: | 21.34CEST | Oct 25, 2008

4-0 Barca.

14. dnzi Wrote: | 22.06CEST | Oct 25, 2008

I'd say.. 3-2

15. FCB-Holland Wrote: | 22.42CEST | Oct 25, 2008

Dani Alves just scored from a free kick 35+ meters. It is getting ugly. Barça 5-0. Ten minutes more to go in the first half. Etoó with a hattrick.

16. El Wrote: | 23.00CEST | Oct 25, 2008

OMG!! I can't believe my eyes, but isn't it a DREAM TEAM? ))) They just smash the Almeria and there is still 45 minutes to play more!! I hope Bojan will add 2 more goals to this FIESTA!!! ) Thanks guys, I think we all - supporters of Barca have all deserved this joy!! )

17. Speeka Wrote: | 23.40CEST | Oct 25, 2008

attendance 98000 & 1 cat.

18. FCB-Holland Wrote: | 00.00CEST | Oct 26, 2008

Eto'o has 9 goals in 8 La Liga matches. He is having a great year. Barring injury, he may end the season as the top scorer !!

19. Titi186 Wrote: | 00.25CEST | Oct 26, 2008

Great game!! I love Speeka's quote "attendance 98000 & 1 cat."

No game analysis needed really, the one thing which I think we should all notice is that every goal we scored was nothing really to do with the individual. All 5 goals could have been scored by any member of team and all goals were a product of the team. Everyone ran like they should do and the team-work was very good.

After 5-0 what can you expect, the team is going to calm down a bit but overall a very good performance and no one should be singled out for criticism or praise to be honest as the team as a whole was phenominal. Lets keep it going!!