Saturday, January 26, 2013

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27.01. (Sun) 19:00 Barcelona - Osasuna

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA
Valdes
Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano
Thiago, Busquets, Fabregas
Pedro, Messi, Sanchez

OSASUNA
Andres
Bertran, Ruben, Arribas, Nano
Lolo, Oier
Cejudo, Nino, Armenteros
Sola

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi pulled out of training on Friday with a muscle strain but is nevertheless expected to feature in the Primera Division encounter against Osasuna.

Defender Gerard Pique is suspended, while assistant coach Jordi Roura could opt to rotate his squad for the Camp Nou clash with one eye on Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Real Madrid.

Osasuna boss Jose Luis Mendilibar may hand a debut to midfielder Francisco Silva, who was signed from Chilean side Universidad Catolica earlier in the week.

Asier Riesgo, David Timor and Sisi are all unavailable through injury, while left-back Damia serves a one-match ban.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona have won their last five home Liga matches with an aggregate score of 19-4.
The Catalans hit their 100th goal of the season in the 4-2 win at Malaga in midweek, with Lionel Messi accounting for 40 of those strikes.
Barcelona have never lost a match in which Andres Iniesta has scored (W40, D4).
Osasuna have won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions (W1, D2, L5).
Los Rojillos have lost on their last four visits to Camp Nou at an aggregate score of 0-16.
Osasuna's last win away at Barcelona was a 1-0 success in May 2009.

Prediction
This should be an easy home win for Barcelona, who will be keen to produce a response after last weekend's surprise defeat at Real Sociedad. Osasuna have picked up just five points on their travels this season and will do well to keep the hosts at bay.
Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 3-0 Osasuna