After a week of controversy and distractions, Barça head to the Estadio Mestalla looking to collect 3 points in this top of the table clash.

The man at the centre of this weeks controversy, Samuel Eto'o, has been left out of the squad after requesting to not play according to manager Frank Rijkaard.

"Eto'o has told me he feels his fitness is improving but that he would prefer to stay in Barcelona to continue working to achieve his peak form," Rijkaard told a news conference.

This means that Eidur Gudjohnsen returns to the Barcelona squad after being left out in last weekends game against Racing Santander.

Sylvinho and Lilan Thuram are still out injured and will not feature against "Los Che" on Sunday night. Sylvinho has been given the green light to return to the team after injury whilst Thuram has yet to recieve that green light despite looking fit. Santiago Ezquerro is the other player not included in the sqaud.

Valencia
After their humiliating 3-0 defeat away to Getafe last weekend, "Los Che" will be looking to put their season back on track with a victory over the champions. David Villa returns to the Valencia squad after missing last weekends loss at Getafe however, Santiago Cañizares will miss the game. Ludovic Butelle is likely to replace him in goal.

Squads
Barcelona: Valdés, Giuly, Márquez, Xavi, Iniesta, Jorquera, Puyol, Oleguer, Edmílson, Belletti, Motta, Messi, Ronaldinho, Deco, Gio, Zambrotta, Gudjohnsen and Saviola.

Valencia: Butelle, Mora, Curro Torres, Miguel, Ayala, Navarro, Marchena, Albiol, Moretti, Pallardó, Albelda, Joaquín, Hugo Viana, Jorge López, Angulo, Silva, Villa and Morientes.

Previous encounters
In the last game between the two sides at the start of this season, Valencia took a 17th minute lead at the Camp Nou thanks to a David Villa strike but that was cancelled out by Andres Iniesta's 49th minute equaliser.

Last season, Valencia took a draw from the Camp Nou and victory at the Mestalla thanks to some blunders from Victor Valdés in both games.