With only two days to go now before the eagerly awaited Champions League game at Celtic Park, I thought I would weigh up the chances of an upset. Many Barça fans will see that Celtic are trailing Rangers by four points in the Scottish Premier League and conclude that as Rangers were relatively easy then Celtic must be easier. However, recent history suggests that it could be much tougher.

Barça faced Celtic twice in 2004. In March the teams met in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup, the first game at Celtic Park was played on March 11th, the same day as the horrific terrorist attack in Madrid. Barça were never really in the game and lost 1-0 through an Alan Thompson goal. The game ended with ten men against nine as Motta, Saviola and the Celtic keeper Robert Douglas were all sent off. In the retu...

Another day passes and Samuel Eto'o is still not back in Barcelona. It was originally thought he would return yesterday, this then changed to today, but now the news says that he won't be back until tomorrow, Thursday. It now seems impossible that he will play in Zaragoza on Saturday. The fault, however, is not Eto'o's but the Cameroon delegate who made a mess of organizing plane tickets, Carlos Kameni the Espanyol and Cameroon goalkeeper will also not arrive until tomorrow. Fifa rules state that players must return to their clubs within 48 hours of playing for their countries.

All reports suggest that Eto'o should be ok for the Celtic game next Wednesday but until he gets back and has tests, we will not know the extent of his injury. The good news for Barça is that Carles Puyol is recov...

The first balls out of the hat in today's Champions League draw were Celtic and Barcelona. This will mean another trip to Scotland where Barça started their preseason with games against Hearts and Dundee United, and where they already played in this season's Champions League against Rangers. Barça will be happy to have avoided the English teams and Roma. Barça will play the first leg in Glasgow on Wednesday 20th February, with the second leg in Camp Nou on Tuesday 4th March.

Barça played Celtic as recently as 2004 in the group stage of the Champions League. Barça won 1-3 in Glasgow with goals from Deco, Giuly and Larsson, but could only manage a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou, Eto'o scoring the goal. However, the previous season Celtic knocked Barça out in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup. The first leg ...

According to the Uefa webpage Frank Rijkaard has received a two-match ban for his sending off in Lyon - http://www.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind=512/newsid=639265.html?cid=rssfeed&att=uefa/index  Rijkaard already missed one match against Stuttgart so this means he will miss the first leg of the last 16 tie in February. Barça will know their opponents for this on Friday when the draw is made.

Rijkaard was sent off for protesting a refereeing decision, the Uefa bans are very strict and Rijkaard will not be allowed to communicate with the players in the dressing room before the match or at half time, he will not be allowed to communicate with the bench via mobile phone either. Johan Neesken...

Of the seven possible rivals for the last 16 of this season's Champions League, Barça will be hoping they don't come up against either of the two English teams. Since Frank Rijkaard took over as coach, Barça have met English teams every season in the Champions League with mixed fortunes. The seven teams who Barça could face are Arsenal, Liverpool, Roma, Schalke, Celtic, Olympiakos and Fenerbahce. It is quite clear that Arsenal, Liverpool and possibly Roma would be more difficult opponents than the other four.

Liverpool were responsible for Barça's exit last season, winning 1-2 in Camp Nou and then despite losing 0-1 at Anfield, going through on away goals. Many Barça fans would love a chance to get revenge, but it certainly wouldn't be easy. Manager Rafa Benitez has proved himself to be a...

For the second time in a week Barça had to come from behind after conceding an early goal. In an entertaining encounter, Da Silva had put Stuttgart ahead after just two minutes but Giovani dos Santos equalized before half time and second half goals from Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho kept Barça's 100% home record intact.

The only bad news for Barça was that Deco pulled out of the game after noticing a twinge during the warm-up, his place was taken by Xavi. At the moment I've heard no further news on Deco but it seems he didn't play as a precaution, hopefully he will be OK for Saturday's visit to Valencia.

Just as in Sunday's game with Deportivo Barça conceded a very early goal, and once again the goalkeeper might have done more to save it. Milito gave away a free kick 25 yards out, Da Silva...

Barça play hosts to Stuttgart tomorrow night in the last round of Champions League group matches. With Barça already qualified as Group E champions, and Stuttgart mathematically bottom of the group there is only prestige and €600,000 to play for. Johan Neeskens will officially be in charge of the team as Frank Rijkaard is banned after being sent off in Lyon.

Leo Messi has been rested due to being one yellow card away from suspension. However, Toure Yaya who is in a similar position is included in the squad along with Eric Abidal after both players missed Sunday's win over Deportivo through illness. Marc Crosas is back in the squad and may well get his Champions League debut, while Albert Jorquera should get his first game in goal this season. Zambrotta and Ezquerro are not fully fi...

An early goal from Andres Iniesta and a second half penalty from Leo Messi were enough to earn Barça a draw in an intense encounter in Lyon. Ronaldinho was left on the bench for the first time in a game that mattered since joining Barça which meant a start for both Bojan Krkic and Eidur Gudjohnsen. The point means Barça have now definitely finished top of Group E thanks to Stuttgart beating Rangers in the group's other game tonight.

Barça began with a goal in their first attack. Xavi gave the ball to Messi who took the ball forward 20 metres, the Lyon defence were all watching Messi which gave Bojan room on the right, when Messi passed to Bojan the youngster delivered a superb low centre towards Iniesta who also found space running in from the left, Iniesta met the ball with a firm si...

Barça visit Lyon tomorrow night (kick off 8.45pm) knowing that a victory will mathematically guarantee them top spot in Group E. In order to be sure of qualifying for the next round Barça just need to make sure they don't lose by three goals or more. With Thierry Henry out injured there may be a start for Bojan Krkic who will become the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history if he scores tomorrow.

Tomorrow Bojan will be 17 years and 91 days old, the record is held by Ghanaian player Peter Ofori-Quaye who was 17 and 195 days when he scored for Olympiakos in 1997. Meanwhile, Victor Valdés will be trying to extend his record for not conceding a Champions League goal. He has kept clean sheets in the last five European games.

Lyon could be without top scorer 19-year-old Karim Benzema...

Thierry Henry will miss the trip to Lyon as he is suffering back and pubis problems, he will need to rest to see if he can get fit for Saturday's derby with Espanyol. Also missing the trip is Oleguer Presas who has a hamstring injury. Carles Puyol, however, will make the trip despite coming off yesterday after receiving a blow to the ribs, and Ronaldinho has also been included. Lilian Thuram and Marc Crosas come into the squad to make up the eighteen.

The full squad for the Lyon game is: Valdés, Jorquera, Zambrotta, Puyol, Thuram, Marquez, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho, Xavi, Toure, Gudjohnsen Crosas, Iniesta, Messi, Bojan, Ronaldinho, Ezquerro.