Barcelona vs. Real Zaragoza - La Liga match preview
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Real-Zaragoza-c40344 in a La Liga encounter at the Camp Nou on Saturday evening. Barcelona sit comfortably on top of the league table with a seven point lead over second placed Real Madrid. On the other hand, Real Zaragoza have struggled
so far this season. The visitors are just a single point above the drop zone.
Barcelona
The Catalan giants are enjoying a wonderful season so far, having won 11 of their 13 home games. The hosts have scored 77 goals in the league and have conceded only 13 times. Barcelona have lost only one game this season; a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Hercules
FC in September 2010.
The Blaugrana made a La Liga record of 17 consecutive wins during their campaign until they finally drew against Sporting Gijon last month.
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza are having a poor 2010/2011 La Liga season and have won only six of the 26 league games played so far. Their away record has also been really disappointing. Zaragoza picked up only one win on the road, which came against 19th placed
Malaga. Last week, their 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao moved them out of the relegation zone but their position is still not secure.
Their last victory against Barcelona was way back in 1965, when they won 1-0 at the La Romareda. The two teams have met 56 times against each other so far, and Zaragoza have won only two times.
Team News
Barcelona
The hosts will be without their first choice goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who is still nursing an injured shoulder. There is some good news for the Catalans, veteran centre back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331 has returned to training after a two month layoff due to a knee injury.
The defender is expected to start from the bench. On the other hand, manager Pep Guardiola may not be able to sit on the sidelines for Barcelona after he was diagnosed with herniated disc couple of days back.
Real Zaragoza
The Zaragoza striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Franco-c14050 is still
out with an injury and Toni Dablos will continue to deputise for him.
Players to Watch
Andres Iniesta
Barcelona will be looking to rest Xavi ahead of the crucial second leg tie of UEFA Champion’s League against Arsenal next week. Iniesta will be the man to watch as the play making responsibilities will rest on his shoulders in Xavi’s absence. The Spanish
world cup winner has had a wonderful campaign so far, having scored seven goals and made some wonderful assists as well.
Ikechukwu Uche
Uche will be the biggest threat for Barcelona, as he scored the winner against Athletic Bilbao last week. The Nigerian international has struggled with injuries throughout the season and will be looking to make his mark in this fixture.
Prediction
Barcelona are in wonderful form of late and they have always enjoyed playing against Zaragoza. A comfortable victory with a two goal margin is expected from Barcelona.
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