Primera División 2010/2011 # 9

Championship test (van fcbarcelona.com)

FC Barcelona visit Sevilla tonight (21.00) as they seek to regain their seven-point lead on Real Madrid at one of the hardest venues in Spanish football. Puyol is the only player that misses what should be a cracker.

There are red letter days on any fixture list, and this is one of them. FC Barcelonas trip to the Sánchez Pizjuán is one of the hardest of the eleven games they have left. The run of four especially tough away games started well with a win in Valencia and after this they have to travel to Villarreal and Madrid. Safely through to the last eight of the Champions League, its back to league challenge tonight.

Guardiola unbeaten against Andalusians

Guardiola has never lost a league fixture to an Andalusian team (although both Sevilla and Betis have beaten him in the Super Cup and Copa del Rey). In total, he had played Andalusians 19 times, winning 17 and drawing just two. He also won both times he has gone to the Sánchez Pizjuán (0-3 and 2-3) for league matches. Last years game, with the championship at stake, was an unforgettable encounter. Tonights game could offer much of the same.

All except Puyol

Guardiola almost has a full squad for this one. Only Puyol, who still isnt fully fit, is sidelined, while the manager will also have to drop one of his travelling party of 19. He may opt to make changes to the side that worked so hard on Wednesday, otherwise, he may prefer to stick to the eleven that did so well against Arsenal.

Sevilla troubled

Gregorio Manzano will of course be without striker Luis Fabiano, who has been transferred to Săo Paulo in Brazil. He will also have to cover for injured keeper, and centre back Escudé is suspended. Sevilla, who are eighth in the table, need to win to continue their bid to finish among the top four and qualify for the Champions League. So both teams have a lot hanging on the result of this match.

[ Bericht 0% gewijzigd door #ANONIEM op 13-03-2011 21:17:13 ]