DID YOU KNOW?
* Malaga may be firmly in the heart of the Primera Division table, but they are top of the form charts, having won five of their last eight games.
* Despite this recent surge, the Andalusian outfit still haven’t fared well at home this season; only Almeria have won fewer points than their 24.
* Los Boquerones have lost 65 goals this season – the same number as Real Sociedad – and if they concede more than the Basques on Saturday, they could well finish as the league’s worst defensive side.
* In their last 10 matches, they’ve only lost six goals, winning five of their last six outings.
* Barcelona, though the league’s second top scorers, have only mustered 11 goals in their last eight fixtures.
* While the Blaugrana’s offence has been misfiring strangely, they’ve been robust at the back, conceding only five times during that period – fewer than any other side.
* In matches that are tied at half-time, Barca have gone on to win seven of their 11 fixtures, which is a better record than any team in the league.
* Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten against teams in the top half of the standings, yet they’ve twice been beaten when facing a lower 10 outfit.
* With only 16 goals conceded in 32 games, Victor Valdes will claim the Zamora Trophy ahead of Iker Casillas.
* Barcelona’s goal difference is an incredible +71, but at one stage earlier this season they were threatening to break the 100 barrier.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Malaga (4-3-1-2):
Caballero; Gamez, Stadsgaard, Weligton, Mtiliga; Fernandez, Camacho, Duda; Maresca; Baptista, Rondon
Having been dismissed last weekend, Argentine international centre-back Martin Demichelis will be banned from this encounter, while Eliseu’s yellow card against Athletic Bilbao also pushed him over the disciplinary limit. Ignacio Camacho and Duda will make returns from suspension, though.
Striker Julio Baptista is doubtful due to a muscular problem, while Rondon remains injured.
Barcelona (4-3-3):
Valdes; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Abidal; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Villa
After the wholesale rotation of last week, Pep Guardiola may choose to deploy his strongest XI so that no rustiness creeps in before next weekend’s Champions League final.
Everyone in the Catalans’ squad is fit to some extent, with Carles Puyol and Gabriel Milito both joining in Thursday’s training session, though the two centre-backs should still be considered doubtful. Adriano, meanwhile, shall be fit.
Prediction
This could prove to be a really significant test for Barcelona, particularly if thoughts are already drifting towards next weekend’s fixture in London. Indeed, after being held by Deportivo La Coruna at home last weekend, it would be little surprise to see the Catalans drop more points against a team who have been in excellent touch of late. Guardiola, however, will want to see a strong squad offer more, and a narrow away victory is probable.
Malaga 1-2 Barcelona 
