CORDOBA CF
v
FC BARCELONA
Estadio Nuevo ArcA?ngel, CA?rdoba
Saturday 2nd May, 2015, 16:00 GMT
***
FC Barcelona visit Cordoba to take on Cordoba CF who are presently placed at the rock bottom of the league table. The visitors on the other are at the top of the table. They are on a 15 match unbeaten streak in all competitions and have not lost a single game since their league defeat against Malaga CF in February. The attack force of Barcelona comprising of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez is almost scoring in each and every game and have gone past 100 goals mark among the three attackers. They are in a destructive form and are on goal galore in recent times. It will be an uphill task for the La Liga minnows to stop the attacking trio of the league leaders. Viewers can expect yet another goal fest in this game.
Team news and tactics
Cordoba
Cordoba CF have the toughest encounter for them tomorrow as they take on European giants and league leaders FC Barcelona in their home ground. Their opponents are in devastating form and most recently they had run riot against Getafe during the midweek scoring 6 goals. The side is struggling at the rock bottom position in the league table and in all probability will be relegated this season. Jose Antonio Morillaa s side have just won 3 games out of 34, lost 20 and drew 11. The team has 20 points under their belt and are 5 points behind 19th placed side, Granada. The team also has a terrible defensive record and would hope that Luis Enrique’s does not do a massacre tomorrow. Their Algerian striker Nabil Ghilas will be depended upon by the manager. Also on loan striker and ex-Manchester United Bebe too will play an important role against the Catalans.
Probable Line-up (4-4-2): Juan Carlos; Jose Angel Crespo, Lopez Silva, Deivid, Edimar Fraga; Fidel, Luso, Rene Krhin, Fede Vico; Bebe, Nabil Ghilas.
Barcelona
FC Barcelona manager, Luis Enrique, will most likely make some changes in his starting lineup from their midweek game against Getafe. They have a crucial UEFA Champions League semi-final match coming up on Tuesday and Enrique would like test his squad in this game. Martin Montoya may feature in place of Dani Alves, who will be rested before the game. Ivan Rakitic is likely to come back into the starting lineup, who was rested in the previous game against Getafe. Xavi Hernandez who had a fantastic game in the midweek will start in the midfield alongside Rafinha and Rakitic. The attackers up front may not be rested as they would like to finish the game in the early stages of the match. Pedro may come in the replacing either of the three stars if Barcelona have a convincing lead. Jose Antonio Morilla will have to strategize a special plan to mark Messi in order to prevent an embarrassment.
Probable Line-up (4-3-3): Claudio Bravo; Martin Montoya, Jeremy Mathieu, Marc Bartra, Adriano; Rafinha, Xavi Hernandez, Ivan Rakitic; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar
Key Facts
- While FC Barcelona have not lost a single game in the 15 occasions, Cordoba CF have not won a single game in the last 16 occasions.
- FC Barcelona have scored 5 times in each of the previous two games against Cordoba CF
Players to Watch Out For
Nabil Ghilas (Cordoba CF)
Algerian international Nabil Ghilas is the best player in this Cordoba CF side. He has scored the most number goals this season, 7 out of cluba s total goala s tally of 20. The Algerian international has the potential of imposing a threat on any defense. He will be entrusted with the duty to launch the attacks of Barcelona defense and keep a constant pressure up front. Nabil Ghilas will be assisted by ex-Manchester United man and on load forward from FC Porto, Bebe up front who is yet to score a goal in this seasona s La Liga. Marc Bartra and Jeremy Mathieu will have to keep a check on the Algerian striker.
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
FC Barcelona arguably have the best attack force in the world right now. After Luis Suarez joined the side last summer, the teama s attacking unit has been enhanced hugely. The South American trio of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar are having a great form and have scored 100 plus goals combined this season. Even though, Suarez and Neymar are playing exceptionally well when it comes to select the best player and talisman of this squad the name of Lionel Messi automatically pops up. The Argentine star has scored 38 goals this season and provided 17 assists. Lionel Messi will be the key man up front who can score goals single-handedly and also feed the other two forwards for goals.
Prediction
Cordoba 0a 4 Barcelona
Without a doubt, FC Barcelona are favourites to win this game against minnows Cordoba CF. The Catalans are in a destructive mode right and can easily score more than three goals tomorrow. Only if Luis Enrique decided to field different set of attackers or replace either of Messi, Suarez and Neymar only then the goals count may remain at a respectable state. We predict a straight 4-0 win in favour of the La Liga leaders.
Blast From the Past