Saturday, March 10, 2012

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11.03. (Sun) 18:00 Racing Santander - Barcelona

Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Valencia
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PROBABLE LINEUPS

RACING SANTANDER

Fernandez
Alvaro, Torrejon, Espinosa, Cisma
Diop, ColsaArana, Adrian, Munitis
Babacar
BARCELONA

Valdes
Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano
Xavi, Busquets, IniestaPedro, Fabregas, Messi,

Mario Fernandez is set to start in goal for Racing Santander when they entertain Barcelona at El Sardinero, as first-choice goalkeeper Tono is suspended.

Strike duo Christian Stuani (hamstring) and Lautaro Acosta (knee) are doubts for the clash, although the latter is likely to be fit enough to be included in the squad.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique will miss the trip to Santander after the Spanish Football Federation dismissed his appeal against the straight red card he received in the win over Sporting Gijon.

Captain Carles Puyol, who sat out the Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen with a minor knock, has resumed training and could take Pique's place in central defence, while Adriano is likely to continue at left-back in place of the injured Eric Abidal.

Thiago (shin) and Alexis Sanchez (hamstring) are still sidelined. Cristian Tello may be given a start in attack after his two-goal cameo in the 7-1 win over Leverkusen.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Racing Santander, who sacked coach Juanjo Gonzalez on Wednesday, are on a seven-match winless run in the league (D4, L3).
  • The Cantabrians have won just three Liga games at El Sardinero all season.
  • 18th-placed Racing have drawn more games than any other team in the Primera Division this term.
  • Barcelona have avoided defeat in their last seven trips to El Sardinero (W5, D2).
  • The Catalan giants have scored 141 goals in 46 official matches this season. They have a minimum of 16 matches remaining this campaign to break the club record for most goals in a season (158 in 62 matches in 2008-09).
  • Lionel Messi (pictured right) has averaged 3.3 goals per match in his last four outings for club and country.
Prediction
Barca will be on a high after their seven-goal demolition of Leverkusen earned them rave reviews from across the football world. While the Catalans' poor away form may well end up costing them the league title this season, it would be a massive surprise if they drop points here.
Editor's Prediction
Racing 0-3 Barcelona