UD Almeria v Barcelona – Preview

UD Almeria v Barcelona

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos

Kick Off: 21:00 CET

Barcelona return to league action tonight in the first of two games before a short break for international matches. They travel to the Juegos Mediterráneos Stadium to take on Hugo Sanchez’s Almeria. Back in October Barca had beaten Athletic Bilbao in the league and smashed five past FC Basel in the Champions League, before entertaining Almeria at Camp Nou and emerging victorious with three goals from Eto’o and one apiece from Henry and Alves in a 5-0 rout.

With Real Madrid beating Ahtletic Bilbao last night, Barcelona will want to continue their good form from the last two games to maintain their six point lead at the top of La Liga.

Barcelona have a record of five wins and two draws against Almeria in the league, but the Catalan outfit have only ever won just once in the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos

Hugo Sanchez has a full squad to choose from, although Corona and Crusat will have to undergo late fitness tests. Pep Guardiola is still without the services of Abidal, Milito, Jorquera and Puyol who are all missing through injury.

RECENT FORM

UD Almeria

08/03 A 1-2 Sevilla (La Liga)
01/03 H 2-1 Getafe (La Liga)
22/02 A 1-1 Recreativo (La Liga)
15/02 H 3-2 Real Valladolid (La Liga)
08/02 A 2-3 Malaga (La Liga)
01/02 A 2-3 Valencia (La Liga)

Barcelona

11/03 H 5-2 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)
07/03 H 2-0 Athletic Bilbao (La Liga)
04/03 A 1-1 Real Mallorca (Copa Del Rey)
01/03 A 3-4 Atletico de Madrid (La Liga)
24/02 A 1-1 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)
21/02 H 1-2 Espanyol (La Liga)

Probable Starting XI’s

UD Almeria: D. Alves, Bruno, Mane, Pellerano, Acasiete, Juanito, Iriney, Corona, Crusat, Uche, Negredo

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Sylvinho, Marquez, Pique, Toure, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Henry, Eto’o.