FC barcelona would be looking to re-instate the lead at the top to twelve points when they face Racing Santander tonight. Real Madrid has already cut the lead to nine points with a 2-0 victory over Numancia; but Barca will not be in no mood to give hope to Real Madrid. Racing Santander has already robbed Barca of two points when they drew at camp Nou earlier this season. Guardiola has already classified this encounter as vital and one match which could decide the future of the league. Racing may be lying at the tenth position, but they are no push over; they are one of the toughest place to travel. You have to agree with Guardiola that this match hence is very vital as a win here will shut Real Madrid's chance to a great extent. FC Barcelona is in such form that it is unthinkable at this moment that Racing would repeat their performance at the Camp Nou. BUt Racing is in some good form lately - they won their last two away matches at Getafe and Sevilla, not the easiest places to travel. They are undefeated at home since September and add to this the fact that Racing Santander has always been a tricky place for Barcelona, FC barcelona players have to play out of their skin to negotiate this encounter. Guardiola has announce dthe squad for Racing match - Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Marquez, Piqué, Caceres, Sylvinho, Abidal, Toure, Busquets, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Hleb, Messi, Bojan, Etoo, Henry.With a mid week encounter against Mallorca on his mind Guardiola may give some stars a bit of rest.FC Barcelona would be missing Puyol through injury but Marquez is back fit ti face the Racing challenge. Racing would be very strong in air and set pieces, hence most probably we would seel a defensive minded midfield. Valdes wou8ld return back fresh from his short rest at the goal. Abidal, Alves, Pique and Marquez would form the defense. The midfield would most probably made up of Busquets, Toure and Xavi. The presence of Busquets would give a bit of cushion for the defense. The front three would be different from other matches. Messi has shown signs of being tired in the last match against Espanyol and hence may only start from the bench. Eto and Henry didn't start against Espanyol and is expected to return to their usual position with Iniesta joining on the
right. There could be a chance of Guardiola resting Xavi; in that case Iniesta would be moving to tyhe midfield. FC Barcelona is two short of 5000 league goals and has to admit that I don't see a single reason why that record cannot be achieved tonight. This one could be a very tough match, like the one against Espanyol. But I expect Barca to win this encounter by 1-3. A victory here would seriously dampen Real Madrid spirits. The basket ball great Kobe Bryant, who himself is a great fan of FC Barcelona and Messi is in Barcelona. He has already met with club players and officials and is expected to be at the match venue.
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