Matchday 7 - Featured Preview: Barcelona vs Valencia

We will get some idea of Valencia's potential to maintain a sustained title challenge this weekend when Unai Emery's men visit Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Los Che are unbeaten so far in six matches in the league and sit top of the table, while the Catalan outfit are "languishing" in 4th having already dropped points twice at home in 2010-11. Saturday night's encounter will be particularly special for David Villa; the former Valencia legend, now sporting the blaugrana strip, lines up against his old club for the first time and is bound to have mixed emotions if he scores. This is the biggest match of the season so far and is unlikely to be eclipsed until Barcelona go head to head with Real Madrid at the end of November.

BARCELONA

Player to Watch: David Villa

There have been some worrying signs that Barcelona are understaffed this season. With only nineteen first-team squad members, Pep Guardiola's team has suffered particularly whenever any of their main strikers have been missing. That was evident on matchday six as the Catalan giants were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Michael Laudrup's awkward travellers, Real Mallorca. That was the second time Barca have dropped points at home in only three games, which is not the sort of form which will lead them to another record points haul in La Liga. On Saturday night the first blockbuster of the season brings Barcelona together with league leaders Valencia at the Camp Nou. If the blaugrana drop points again they are likely to fall below their current position of 4th and lose more ground on Real Madrid, who are still seen as their major title rivals despite the current prominence of Valencia and Villarreal in the league table. Messi hit a hat-trick last year to give Barcelona a 3-0 win in the corresponding fixture and how Guardiola could do with another match-winning performance from the World Player of the Year.

David Villa hit his 44th international goal against Scotland on Wednesday, equaling Raul's scoring record for Spain, but he also picked up a knock in Glasgow which made him an early doubt for the weekend clash with his old club; Villa missed the Mallorca game through suspension two week's ago and was clearly missed so Guardiola will be delighted that he has now been cleared to start. With Pedro unavailable through injury, the forward line is the one place where Barca have few covering options. Bojan Krkic will be hoping to start but he is not looking very sharp at present so we are more likely to see Messi, Villa, and Andres Iniesta in an advanced role, in the forward three. Javier Mascherano, Sergio Busquets and Seydou Keita would then fit into what would be a very defensive midfield line as the club doctors warned this week that it was still very early for Xavi to be considered. Adriano is fit after a short spell on the sidelines but he is not likely to start. Gabi Milito had to retire from training on Tuesday, making him a doubt, but that should have little bearing on the starting eleven as we expect to see the regular back four with Dani Alves, Eric Abidal, Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol ahead of Victor Valdes in goal. 

Possible starting XI: (4-3-3) Victor Valdes; Eric Abidal, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Dani Alves; Sergi Busquets, Javier Mascherano, Seydou Keita; Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, David Villa;

VALENCIA

Player to Watch: Juan Mata

Valencia are the current league leaders - Barcelona are the current champions. Valencia are the form team in the division at this early stage in the season - This Barcelona group deserves its status as one of the greatest sides in the history of the Spanish top flight. Egos will clash at the Camp Nou on Saturday night and it is time for one of the big boys to draw blood in by far the biggest game of the season up until now. Last season Lionel Messi scored three to hand Barca a 3-0 whitewash but form so far suggests that it will be a lot closer on this occasion. Valencia are three points above their east coast rivals at the top of the table and they are WWDWW in their last five La Liga matches having only dropped points once - at home to Atletico Madrid - since the start of the campaign.

Joaquin was crocked at the beginning of the week and he will be disappointed to miss out against Barcelona in this crunch fixture. Unai Emery will also feel the Andalusian's absence in a game in which experience could be crucial. In terms of personnel, a lot will depend on whether Emery trumps for a 4-2-3-1 or goes with both Aritz Aduriz and Roberto Soldado in a 4-4-2. If it is the former, I expect Pablo Hernandez, Juan Mata and Vicente to start, with the latter likely to be left out if two forwards are deployed. Vicente has come back strongly this season after missing the majority of the last campaign but he faces stiff opposition from skilful Argentine playmaker Chori Dominguez and young Sofiane Feghouli. Spanish internationals Mata and Pablo are more assured of their places and both could be key. Pep Guardiola is well aware of Mata's talent and the tricky winger has been linked with a move to Barcelona on numerous occasions in the last couple of years. Ever Banega and Tino Costa have emerged as the preferred holding midfield pair for now and are favourites to complete the line-up despite competition from Manuel Fernandes, Mehmet Topal and David Albelda. There have been some physical doubts in defence with Hedwiges Maduro and Luis Miguel both on the fringes of training due to knocks. Miguel was ruled out towards the end of the week so Bruno Saltor will step in as the alternative at right back, joining David Navarro, Ricardo Costa and Jeremy Mathieu in defence. Fiery former Real Madrid and Tottenham goalkeeper Cesar will continue between the sticks and his contribution could be crucial in the face of Barcelona's formidable attack.

Possible starting XI: (4-4-2) Cesar; Jeremy Mathieu, David Navarro, Ricardo Costa, Bruno Saltor; Tino Costa, David Albelda, Juanma Mata, Pablo Hernandez; Roberto Soldado, Aritz Aduriz;