Preview: Sevilla - Barça
Friday, 28 November 08, 07:28 PM · Comments(25)
Carles Puyol and Toure Yaya return to the squad for tomorrow's heavyweight game against Sevilla (kick off 10pm) as Barça enter the terrific run up to Christmas with league games to follow against Valencia, Real Madrid and Villarreal. The players will train in Barcelona tomorrow morning before catching a 12.00 flight to Seville. Barça will be looking to reach their tenth consecutive away win but Sevilla are the hardest challenge so far.
Sevilla began the season strongly and were unbeaten in all competitions until a run of four consecutive defeats which has since been followed by three wins and a draw going into tommorrow's game. In La Liga they are currently fifth on 24 points, five points behind Barça, so a win would put them right back in contention. Coach Manolo Jiménez will probably start with Jesus Navas and Adriano on the flanks so we will hopefully not see too much of Diego Capel who gave our defence such a torrid time last season. Up front we will face the threat of Freddie Kanoute and Luis Fabiano who came so close to winning last season's top scorer Pichichi award. Sevilla usually raise their game for the big games, especially at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium so we will have to be at the top of our game to take the three points.
Pep Guardiola will no doubt make changes to the team that beat Sporting Lisbon 2-5 on Wednesday. Puyol and Toure will probably both start and it will be interesting to see whether Martin Caceres continues at left back, if he doesn't Pep could go for either Sylvinho or give another game to our captain in that position. In midfield we have the constant dilemma of Keita, gudjohnsen or Busquets alongside Xavi and Toure, while up front Eto'o is sure to return probably with Messi and Henry in the wide positions. I have to say I feel there has been a definite improvement in Henry this season. Obviously he is still nowhere near his level of two or three seasons ago at Arsenal, but I no longer cringe when I see his name on the teamsheet.
I was looking at my report from last season's 1-1 draw in the corresponding match. Barça's team that day was: Valdés; Oleguer, Thuram, Milito, Abidal; Xavi, Edmilson, Iniesta; Messi, Henry, Giovani dos Santos. Less than ten months later and only Valdés, Xavi, Messi and Henry from that team have a chance of playing tomorrow.
I have a good feeling about tomorrow's match, I feel the players will be totally focused and we may be in for a real treat. Obviously Sevilla are a classy team but on our day I think we can win this game comfortably.
Barça's 18-man squad: Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Marquez, Piqué, Puyol, Caceres, Sylvinho, Toure, Busquets, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Keita, Hleb, Messi, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry.
Possible starting XI: Valdés; Alves, Piqué, Marquez, Puyol; Xavi, Toure, Gudjohnsen; Messi, Eto'o, Henry.
My prediction: Sevilla 1 Barça 3
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Barca 2 Sevilla 1
Messi, Henry.
Lets get the crucial run off to a good start. I'd probably *ALMOST* be happy with an away draw to Sevilla though.
my prediction:
if messi plays = win
if he doesn't draw/lose
Jesus navas is suspended i believe. if we get an early goal. the game could be over quickly.but we can expect a good game, i say 3-1 to barca. messi, alves and eto'o to score. if hleb plays, expect to scream "shoot !" throughout the whole game.
oh man!!! it's almost here...i can't wait to watch this game...I m so excited that I don't think I will even be able to sleep well tonight....It should be one hell of a game, but in the end, we will def. come out on top..
Sevilla 1- 2 Barca
man, yhis game is gonna be good, won't miss it for anything in the world...
Jordi, I do that all the time Hleb plays, but i'm just happy if he creates space and opportunities for his teammates.
Barca 2-1
mEssi mUst plAy vErsus baRcA,iF baRca wanT wiN.................oCKKKKeeeeeeeeyyy......braVOOOOOOOOoo,barCelonIsti.....
25 Comments · Add yours
sevilla will be a tough propositn, you forgot to mention that most of their defeats was when they had almost no strikers in the whole squad
predictn
sevilla 2-3 barca
valdes, alves, puyol, pique, caceres, toure, zavi, keita, messi, eto, henry
For sure Nic. Sevilla is in the top 5 for a reason so we will be even more focused to put on a good performance and win in style. Sevilla is a team that likes to attack instead of sitting back to defend, which is all the better cause teams that try to maul us leave with bruises and scars all over. When these two powerhouses collide, expect some exciting fireworks.
Yeah last year, using messi in the middle didnt really work out as rijkaard had planned. Fortunately this time we have eto'o not only fit but on form as well. Also Henry who is gradually finding his name on the scoresheet and is doing alot of dirty work for the team (The Henry of now would not have left Iniesta hanging like he did against sevilla last year).Then there is the messi now who is massively excellent, skillful, serious & improved...heh
Heres hoping Dani Alves gives the performance of his life to entertain his former team and fans.............uhh to an extent though. I want them to sadly ask themselves "why did we let him go?!" while we say "genius alves!"
Oh man tomorrow begins the murderer's row. Considering how the team has been performing this season, I am very excited to watch these games in high definition...... *cough* rijkaard style*cough* haha