Preview: Barça - Getafe
Saturday, 22 November 08, 11:22 AM · Comments (24)
Barça look to win their 10th consecutive league victory tomorrow at home to Getafe (kick off 7pm). The bad news is that we will almost definitely be without Leo Messi who noticed a problem in his thigh at the end of yesterday's training session, though the injury is not serious and Pep Guardiola has not ruled him out for the game. Guardiola will announce the squad tomorrow and Pedro could be included as cover for Messi. The other doubt is Rafa Marquez who may be rested after playing for Mexico on Wednesday night.
Getafe haven't won since beating Valladolid at the end of October and tomorrow they will be without captain Belenguer and Kepa while Manu del Moral and Cata Diaz return to the squad. There has been some tension in the squad this week as Mario Cotelo and Cosmin Contra squared up to each other in training on Friday. Getafe are currently 12th in the league on 13 points but they have been difficult opponents for Barça in recent years: last season they beat us 2-0 in Getafe and stole a 0-0 draw at Camp Nou in April. We will need to keep an eye on midfield star Esteban Granero.
I have to admit that Getafe are one of my least liked teams in the league, they have often used pretty foul means to stop us playing, I hope that none of our players get injured tomorrow. Also there is a section of their fans who have booed our black players in the games at Getafe, let's hope we are on form tomorrow to teach them a lesson.
If Marquez is rested then Puyol will probably return to central defence alongside Gerard Piqué with Sylvinho coming in at left back. Hleb seems most likely to replace Messi, with Eto'o in the middle and Thierry Henry starting on the left. In midfield Guardiola will again have to choose between Gudjohnsen and Busquets alongside Xavi and Toure Yaya.
The board have declared measures to increase the crowd for tomorrow's game. Members can buy a second ticket with a 50% discount for under-14s. There are also a series of activities before the game to try and encourage fans to turn up.
Possible starting XI: Valdés; Alves, Piqué, Puyol, Sylvinho; Xavi, Toure, Gudjohnsen, Hleb, Eto'o, Henry.
My Prediction Barça 3 Getafe 1
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Valladolid 3-0 Villarreal . Although it is only end of first half, but good result for Barça nonetheless. It would be nice to see either Valencia or Sevilla or both drop points when they clash later tonight. However, Barça can NOT afford to drop any points tomorrow against Getafe . If everything goes ok, Barça can be up by as many as EIGHT points to their nearest competitor. Ps.: I'm NOT including Madrid as a major threat at all !!
Correction:
Barça can only be up by as many SIX points but in case of a loss against Getafe , the advantage could be just TWO points !!
Wether you are taking the piss or a complete mad man I dont know but to say "I'm NOT including Madrid as a major threat at all !! " is crazy 
This is the team who raped Barca 4-1 when in fact it should have been closer to 7-1, beat Barca on their home turf, and won the La Liga. They are a threat and it will be a close game to beat them when they visit the Camp Nou.
Tomorrows game should be a victory according to the bookies but Barca will again have to work hard to win and dont take it from me then take it from Leo Messi who was sayng this week that Barca need to work hard in every game no matter who the oppoisiton is.
Lets hope the team can raise their game as usually they struggle without Leo but they have played once without him and won (Athletico Bilbao away 1-0) with Henry and Eto combining up front. WIll be interesting to see how Barca play as without Messi and Iniesta Barca will have no width as Bojan/Henry/Eto cant play out wide so I think the team will be relying on Xavi for creativity and expect to see many long balls over the top and much play through the middle. Should be a great game though!!
Prediciton: 2-0
Make up your mind whether you are a Barça fan or not. It seems that no day passes without taking a shot at Barça or a Barça player. As far as Madrid are concerned, let's see if they are going to amount to anything at the end of the year. IMO, they will be very lucky if they qualify for a UEFA Cup spot !!
I think everyone should br free to express their opinion without being harrassed or being called names. I think that is quite childish and totally lacking in class !!
hurm...i wouldnt drop madrid as threat yet..i mean they are Real Madrid..
lets forget last season...but this season they are having the same form we did last year..but we were still threat for madrid 7 pionts gap pulled to 2 point..what i'm saying is...anything is possible..and we haven't won anything yet..my prediction..2-0
24 Comments · Add yours
-----------------------------Valdes------------------------------
-------------------------Pique----Marquez--------------------
----Alves---------------------------------------------Puyol----
----------------------------Y.Toure----------------------------
-----------------------Xavi----------Gudjohnsen-------------
--------------Hleb(Messi)------------Henry------------------
------------------------------Eto'o------------------------------
My Prediction Barça 3 Getafe 0
-------------------------------- Pinto ------------------------------------------
-------------------- Pique ---------------- Pujol ------------------------------
----- Alves ----------------------------------------------- Caceres -----------
-------------------------------- Y a y a -----------------------------------------
--------------------- Xavi -------------------- Busquets ( Keita) -----------
-------------- Pedro --------- Etoó ------------------ Hleb -----------------
My prediction : Barça 2-1