Barcelona (4-3-3):
Valdes; Dani Alves, Mascherano, Abidal, Adriano; Busquets, Xavi, Fabregas; Pedro, Messi, Villa.
Gerard Pique joins Carles Puyol on the sidelines following a tear to his left calf muscle during a training session.
Club captain Puyol has been out of action since an operation on a recurring injury earlier in the close season. Guardiola is expected to push Eric Abidal alongside Javier Mascherano in central defence with Adriano likely to slot into the left-back role.
Alexis Sanchez returned to training with the first team on Wednesday, and could make an appearance but it is likely to be from the substitute’s bench.
Porto (4-3-3):
Helton; Maicon, Otamendi, Rolando, Pereira; Fernando, Defour, Moutinho; Hulk, Kleber, Varela.
Vitor Pereira has a near full-squad to chose from, including summer signings Steven Defour and Brazilian Kleber.
The only player of note missing from the Porto squad is another summer signing, Alex Sandro, who picked up an injury at the Under-20 World Cup whilst playing for Brazil.
Despite the speculation surrounding full-back Alvaro Pereira linking the Uruguayan to Chelsea and a reunion with his former coach, Andre Villas-Boas, he is expected to feature.
DID YOU KNOW?
Barcelona will be appearing in their eighth Super Cup, more than any club in the competitions history, winning the accolade four times.
Italian side AC Milan are the only team to have won the Super Cup on more occasions [5].
Guardiola’s side overcame Manchester United in last year’s Champions League at Wembley 3-1 to secure their place in this year’s Super Cup.
Spanish sides have appeared in six of the last ten Super Cup finals, winning the trophy five times.
Porto won the Europa League last season, overcoming Braga in last year’s final 1-0.
The Portuguese Champions were unbeaten in last season’s Portuguese Superliga, winning the domestic title with a record of 27 wins and three draws.
Porto have seen an exodus of both players and coaches over the summer; Andreas Villas-Boas repeated Jose Mourinho’s move from Porto to Chelsea, whilst Falcao and Ruben Micael have transferred to Atletico Madrid.
Porto lost the Super Cup in 2003 and 2004, with their sole win in the competition coming back in 1987.
Prediction
A bold prediction, yes, but there will be goals in a match that thrives on open, end-to-end football; and with Barcelona's superiority this should suit Guardiola's side.
Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 4-2 Porto 
