FC Barcelona - Recreativo de Huelva

After an overall good week for Barcelona's international players, the team welcome Recreativo de Huelva to the Camp Nou tonight and look to earn all 3 points to keep the pressure on 1st and 2nd placed Real Madrid and Villarreal.

Confidence is Barça's

Although the away form of the team has left a lot to be desired, there is no denying Barcelona's form at their home ground. They have a 100% record at the Camp Nou this season, having scored an average of just under 3 goals a game, and conceding just 3 goals in all games. On the other hand, Recre have had an undesirable away form. The andalucían side have won just 1 game on the road, and earnt only 1 point from the 5 other away games. Sitting in the relegation zone, Víctor Muñoz's side team will be looking to cause an upset tonight to kickstart their season. But the season's results so far favours Barcelona.

Recent meetings between the sides

Although Recre are the oldest side in Spain, this is the first time in their history that the club has spent two successive seasons playing top flight football. In fact, in recent history Barcelona and Recre have only played 4 times - twice at the Camp Nou and twice at Recreativo's home ground, the Nuevo Colombino. Barcelona won all 4 matches, scoring at least 3 goals per game, and conceding only once in one of away games.

Problems for Barcelona

Although Barcelona have a good home record on the pitch, off the pitch there have been some internal issues at the Camp Nou. Midfielder Edmílson made some negative comments about the team to the press which made all the headlines. However he has since apologised to his teammates about his words, and hopefully all the players can move on. Injuries are also affecting the team, with Deco, Eto'o and Edmílson still out, and Mexican forward Giovani dos Santos joining them after straining ligament in his left ankle. French defender Lilian Thuram is rested, and is the only non-injury-related absence from the squad.

Squads
FC Barcelona: Valdés, Jorquera; Abidal, Sylvinho, Milito, Oleguer, Zambrotta, Puyol, Márquez; Touré Yayá, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen; Ronaldinho, Bojan, Ezquerro, Messi, Henry.