Matchday 19 - Featured Preview: Barcelona vs Malaga

During his second spell at Real Madrid, Julio Baptista scored the only goal in a 0-1 victory at the Camp Nou, thus writing himself into Real folklore. The Brazilian forward, known as "The Beast" because of his impressive physical build, is hoping to prove the scourge of Barcelona again on his debut for Malaga on Sunday night. It is not certain that the former Roma hitman will play from the start in Les Corts but his mere presence in the squad is indicative of the growing ambition at the Andalusian club, which demands a greater win economy than Malaga have managed so far this season.

BARCELONA

Player to Watch: Lionel Messi

Not since the shock defeat at home to Hercules in early September have Barcelona been beaten in any competition. Since then they have played twenty-seven matches without loss and that impressive sequence equals a record which dates back to 1974. If Pep Guardiola's men avoid defeat to Malaga at the Camp Nou on Sunday, they will break that long-standing record and add to the current crop's numerous historic feats. Barcelona are highly fancied against Manuel Pellegrini's men. Not only do they play at home to a team struggling down in the bottom quarter of the classification, they are also in fine form after a 0-4 league win last weekend was followed up by a 5-0 victory over Real Betis in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. Their progress is now all but assured in that competition, but it is vital they keep a step ahead of Real Madrid in La Liga. There should be a slight note of caution as they go in search of their twelfth consecutive league win: Malaga are a team going through a transitory period and a lot of money has been invested in new players so there is an element of the unknown to contend with.

At the time of writing, Pep Guardiola has no injury concerns. His team provides a formidable threat to anyone, let alone a club struggling down in the bottom third of the table. With the Copa del Rey semi-final progress practically assured, the Catalan manager could name his strongest team to play Malaga on Sunday night and then rest the big names against Real Betis in Seville. That would mean the restoration of French international ack Eric Abidal at left-back in place of Maxwell. Dani Alves has not been in great form recently and he is stalling over a new contract, presumably due to some unreasonable demands he is making of the Catalan club but, for wont of a better alternative, he will keep his place at right-back. The World Cup-winning midfield triumvirate of Sergi Busquets, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta could be reunited behind the dangerously skilful and mobile front three of David Villa, Pedro Rodriguez and Lionel Messi. The two-time World Player of the Year celebrated his Balon d'Or gong with a cup hat-trick on Wednesday.

Possible starting XI: (4-3-3) Victor Valdes; Eric Abidal, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Dani Alves; Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Andres Iniesta; Pedro Rodriguez, Lionel Messi, David Villa;

MALAGA

Player to Watch: Julio Baptista

Malaga were denied a win at the Rosaleda on matchday eighteen by a last minute Javi Martinez goal which gave Athletic Bilbao a fortuitous 1-1 draw. It was a game which Manuel Pellegrini's side desperately wanted to win to give themselves a cushion heading into two of the most difficult encounters of the season awaiting the Andalusians on matchdays nineteen and twenty, namely Barcelona and Valencia away. The harder of the two on paper comes first, with Malaga travelling to the Camp Nou on Sunday night to face Barca. Malaga are WLLWD in their last five matches in the league, which has seen them move four points clear of the relegation zone into 16th. They won't be expecting too much from the Camp Nou, but they should relish the care-free tag of underdogs, especially with the added incentive of so many new faces trying to prove themselves.

The team has changed significantly since the beginning of the month thanks to five important signings made during the winter transfer window. The most eagerly anticipated of the transfers, that of Brazilian forward Julio Baptista, could be the final piece of the puzzle if the Brazilian is cleared to make his debut at the Camp Nou. In a 4-4-2 formation, that would probably mean the forward coming in to partner Venezualan striker Jose Rondon in attack. Eliseu is back from a suspension and Duda has recovered from a minor knock so those two could start in wide areas, with new men Enzo Maresca and Ignacio Camacho competing with the likes of Antonio Apono, Sandro Silva, Recio and Fernando for central midfield berths. Edinho and Ivan Gonzalez proved their fitness this week but neither is included in the matchday squad as the extensive nature of Manuel Pellegrini's playing staff means that half a dozen senior stars have to be rested again. Jesus Gamez and Javier Malagueno are not available in defence due to minor physical problems so Manolo Gaspar could come into start next to Weligton, Martin Demichelis and Patrick Mtiliga. Ruben is still crocked so the recently incorporated Sergio Asenjo will continue in goal.

Possible starting XI: (4-4-2) Sergio Asenjo; Manolo Gaspar, Martin Demichelis, Weligton, Patrick Mtiliga; Ignacio Camacho, Antonio Apono, Duda, Eliseu; Julio Baptista, Jose Rondon;