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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
SPORTING GIJON  Juan Pablo Lora, Botia, Hernandez, Canella Castro, Rivera, de las CuevasTrejo, Barral, Sangoy | BARCELONA  Victor Valdes Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Abidal Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas Pedro, Messi, Villa |
Carles Puyol is expected to be rested following his recent return from injury, with Javier Mascherano ready to step into the centre of defence. Xavi could also be rested in midfield, with Thiago the likeliest to deputise for the experienced playmaker, while Cesc Fabregas will return in place of Seydou Keita.
Pep Guardiola is still without the injured trio of Andres Iniesta, Alexis Sanchez and Ibrahim Afellay for the visit to Gijon.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Sporting have come up against the Catalan giants on 16 occasions, winning two, drawing two and losing 12 of these fixtures.
- Barcelona striker David Villa started his professional career at Sporting, scoring 38 goals for the side between 2001 and 2003 before moving to Zaragoza.
- The Gijon-based club currently sit bottom of La Liga and are one of three teams who are yet to win a game this season.
- Barcelona had to settle for a 1-1 draw the last time they travelled to El Molinon, with Villa cancelling out David Barral's first-half strike.
- A goal for Lionel Messi would see the attacker become the club's second top scorer in their history after the Argentine equalled Ladislao Kubala's tally of 194 with a brace against BATE Borisov in Europe midweek.
- The Catalan club will be looking to pick up their first La Liga away win of the season on Sunday, after 2-2 draws with Real Sociedad and Valencia previously.
Prediction
Barcelona have struggled a little in this fixture recently, but expect Pep Guardiola's men to stroll to victory against the bottom club in La Liga. The precise passing and constant movement of the Catalans will be too much for Sporting.
Editor's Prediction
Sporting de Gijon 0-4 Barcelona 
