PBP: J18 La Liga 12/13 | FC Barcelona v RCD Espanyol | 6 Jan 2013 [R]

Damn I will miss this game as I am on a late shift that day

Espanyol showing signs of life -> undefeated in their last 4. Of course since Barca plays the same teams LPB played 2 rounds earlier, most teams that play Barca are on some kind of role.

lol

Wow the ref (Gil Manzano) almost has my name. Cesc, Adriano and Song all cleared to play, Valdes too (he missed yesterday's Catalunya game with plantar fasciitis). Cuenca, Abidal, and Muniesa still out.

So excited for another game after the hiatus. They always play us tough (physically tough as well) but I think we can continue our great start. I recently saw some outlandish stat wherein Barca was reported to have not lost since something like 2010 when both Puyol and Pique played. I forget if I posted that to the season thread, point is that as I think of who starts I think it begins with those 2, add in XBI mid, M up front, work Cesc in too (assuming he is ready to go) as a forward/4th mid, VV in goal, Alba at LB, so the questions come down to: (1) Alves, Adriano, or Montoya at RB and I'll guess Alves gets the start, esp. with Adriano back from injury; (2) is Cesc ready to start? I'll guess yes; (3) IF Cesc starts that leaves room for just one forward up front, who gets the nod, Pedro, Sanchez, Villa, or Tello, and I'll guess Pedro.

VV
Alves-PK-Puyol-Alba
X-B-I
Pedro-Messi-Cesc

which, even if I have the names wrong, may wind up more like this when we are in possession:

VV
PK-B-Puyol
Alves -Xavi--Alba
--Messi-Cesc
Pedro -----Iniesta

But with Iniesta often being overlapped by Alba, or swapping with Cesc or even Pedro when Alves bombs forward.

If that is right toughest omissions beyond the already mentioned Sanchez, Villa, Tello; Adriano and Montoya, would be Masch and Thiago.

They're unbeaten under Aguirre. I'd love it if they went down, but I'm not sure it will happen at this point. Need more evidence. My picks are Mallorca, Osasuna, and Granada to go down.

Anyways, tough game as always against these guys, but it's hard not to expect that when it's the big derby in Catalonia. Always a game up for pride and bragging rights because it is so big, but with it being at Camp Nou where we have the backing of our fans, I hope we'll win this one. League positions matter not when it comes to a derby. No one should forget that their last win at Camp Nou was in 2009 when we were 1st and they were 20th. Though they did profit from a terrible decision that saw Keita sent off and a Valdes error, but still it needs to be taken into mind, anything can happen in these derbies.

As for our lineup, there are some dilemmas. I'm not sure if Puyol will start, depending on the condition of his eye after that nasty elbow he recieved in the Catalonia-Nigeria match, but Mascherano has been in good form and could easily step in at this time. But I do want to see the leader, the warrior, and the disciplinarian at the back for a game of this importance so I'm hoping Carles is ready.

Adriano has had issues lately with some knocks and even though he is fit, I think Alves should start, despite the former being the better player so far this season. Dani did well in the last game apart from his stupid pass back in front of goal and he should be well aware that he'll be third choice right back if he doesn't step his game up in the coming months, Adriano and Montoya are taking their chances right now in the team so Alves will have to do the same if he wants to continue playing. A hungry Alves can hurt any team, I hope he starts this.

Cesc, Alexis, or Villa? It's a very tough one. But I think Cesc is in the best form right now and he should start, but any decision could be pleasing in this one. All three are fantastic players with the ability to hurt Espanyol.

Valdes

Alves Pique Puyol Alba

Xavi Busquets Cesc

Pedro Messi Iniesta

That's my prediction at least, but it could really be anything and still look strong. Hoping for a good come back to football and we continue our strong start with a win in an important derby.

Summary: Just read the last sentence or this one, and realize that I to, have come to the conclusion that Cesc and Iniesta must start.

I don't like the idea of Iniesta pushing up to the forward position, although with Alba overlapping that can be quite effective. I would prefer to see one of the conventional wingers get a start (Sanchez/Pedro) or Villa, just to see if they can build momentum on this performance as it is a new calendar year.

Perhaps that means that Cesc starts on the bench, but Iniesta must start if he is available. I guess it's a balance between the short term derby match today (play the best possible players) and trying to light a fire under some of the under-performing forwards (ie. anyone not named Messi) with the entire 2nd half of the season in mind. After I typed that out, it only makes sense to play your best, especially after a winter break.

i like those lineups above. i don't think this will happen today, but at some point i'd really like to see this lineup:

iniesta-----villa------messi
-------cesc-----xavi---------
alba------sergio-------dani
-----puyol-----pique-------
-------------VV--------------

Adan sent off for LPB. Inside Casillas must have been laughing his head off.

Starting Lineup:

Bench: Pinto, Montoya, Mascherano, Song, Thiago, Alexis, Villa

Morning guys. Decent stream links appreciated.

so you and I both called it last night!

Streams Barcelona-Espanyol http://bit.ly/UwEAuQhttp://bit.ly/UwEWkZhttp://bit.ly/UwF4kDhttp://bit.ly/UwF7Nchttp://bit.ly/ZbDAbO #fcblive
More streams BAR-ESP: http://bit.ly/UwGlrThttp://bit.ly/UwGzzchttp://bit.ly/SGBpfKhttp://bit.ly/OfWLyNhttp://bit.ly/XZDovB #fcblive Yay, Xavi, still looking to see which of these works well. So far I've tried 5 and last one on last line is crispest, love a crisp English one.

Madrid match looks crazy.

Good start. Players look up for it.

Fabs should have passed to Iniesta there...

Xavi!!!

XAVI!

Alright, Xavi!

Iniesta -> Xavi ... goal ... no big deal !

For our next prediction thread: "First goal in 2014".
Doubt many would have had Xavi for 2013.

Yeah, just the positioning of Cesc and Iniesta was different, but yeah good job buddy!!

XAVIIII!!!!! Great start so far, let's get another soon.

Great chance for Iniesta...should have been 2.