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Kick Off: Saturday, September 26, 19:00 CET
La Rosaleda, Malaga

The fortunes of Barcelona and Malaga could not have been more contrasting coming into Week 5 of La Liga. Malaga has lost their last 3 games. Barcelona on the other hand has swept away the 4 teams before them scoring 14 Goals on the way. La Rosaleda is an arena that will be fondly remembered by Barça from last season because it was there that Pep Guardiola’s side chalked up a convincing 1-4 win to move to the top of the table for the first time. Last November the team ignored the pouring rain and difficult conditions to overwhelm their Andalucian host to move into first place and they remained their for the rest of the campaign.

Struggling Malaga

After three straight defeats, Juan Lopez Muniz would surely rather his side did not have to face an in-form Barcelona this weekend. While Muniz wasn’t the man in charge last season, Malaga conceded ten to Barca in two league games under the stewardship of Antonio Tapia, including a 4-1 defeat at the Rosaleda last November. Any improvement on that scoreline must surely be regarded as a success this weekend.

Muniz will be well aware that his sides failure to turn narrow defeats like the three suffered so far this season into wins, or at least draws, gives them little or no chance of matching the might of a Barcelona side that is in simply outstanding form at the moment.

The Andalusian outfit finished a very credible eighth last season but to have any chance of replicating that finish they must start picking up points against the teams outside of the top four and regard anything else, such as the three points against Atletico Madrid on the opening day of the season, as a bonus.

It is unlikely this weekend will provide such a bonus for Muniz’s men but the consolation is that the match calendar offers a trip to Primera Division newcomers Xerez, followed by a home tie against Almeria where they are more likely to secure vital points to push themselves up the table.

PepTalk

Hard work and determination are what Guardiola strives for and he has already told reporters what he thinks of their predictions.

“It is a lack of respect, after only four games, to think the title race will only be between Barça and Madrid. I do not believe that. If we have won until now it is because we have been really on the ball,”

he said. Once again Guardiola is completely focussed and has no thoughts about Dynamo Kyiv in midweek and is instead only thinking about Málaga.

TEAM NEWS

Malaga

Young midfielder Jordi Pablo remains a long term absentee for the home side due to a cruciate ligament injury. Coach Juan Lopez Muniz is likely to pack the midfield in an effort to stifle Barca, with Nabil Baha the loan front man.

Probable Starting XI (4-1-4-1): Munua – Cuadrado, Gamez, Weligton, Mtiliga – Juanito – Valdo, Benachour, Xavi Torres, Duda – Baha

Barcelona

With one eye on the Champions League tie in midweek, Pep Guardiola may rest some players. Dmytro Chygrynskiy should start, as he is ineligible for Europe, while Yaya Toure may replace Seydou Keita. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is out with a sprained ankle, so Andres Iniesta could start.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Valdes – Alves, Chygrynskiy, Puyol, Abidal – Busquets, Xavi, Toure – Messi, Henry, Iniesta

Match Prediction

Malaga 0 – 2 FC Barcelona