The defending league champions FC Barcelona will host visitors Almeria at the Estadio Camp Nou this weekend.

As always, a win for Barcelona will be Pep Guardiola’s main target during the game, but – in addition to this – the Spanish manager will also want his side’s victory to be huge in terms of goal margin; as surpassing rivals Real Madrid in goal difference could have an impact on Los Blancos’ mentality.

Subsequent to 3 draws, 1 loss and a single win in 5 games, Almeria lie in 11th place with only 6 points in the Spanish league standings. Therefore, a victory in Catalonia could easily place them into the first half of the league table; yet accomplishing such a task will be very difficult, as Almeria are yet to succeed away from home this season.

 

An easy game for Barcelona?

FC Barcelona's players triumphing at the Camp NouThe Catalans are presently considered to be in top form, and with the likes of stars such as Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Xavi Hernandez, it is quite unlikely that the home side will face any danger in their game this weekend against Almeria.

A year ago, when the two sides met at the Camp Nou in the first part of the league season, 5-0 was the final score line in favor of the home side, with most of the goals coming from Barcelona’s former striker Samuel Eto’o.

In spite of the exit of the Cameroonian striker from the club, the Spanish giants seem to be in perfect shape; and thus, their psychology shows how ready they are to stand any threat that comes in their way.

So far, in one way or another, the former Inter Milan forward Ibrahimovic has proved to be the right man in front for the Blaugrana, scoring 5 goals in 5 consecutive league games. Surely, one might even think that the Swedish striker cannot stop putting the ball at the back of the net, but in any case, it is definitely such a great record that will increase his desire to be on the scoring sheet once again this weekend against Almeria.

Having missed a late chance in his previous league encounter away to Malaga to score his sixth goal in four consecutive games, Lionel Messi will certainly hope to add his name to the list of scorers, so as to keep the pressure on Real Madrid’s playmaker Cristiano Ronaldo who also has five goals in the La Liga top scoring chart.

Almeria – Getting their first away win

UD Almeria's players training for their upcoming match in the leagueIndisputably, when we think of this weekend encounter between Barcelona and Almeria, no one regards the visitors as favorites to win; but then, being regarded as underdogs isn’t always a disadvantage. In fact, on certain occasions, it can even be an advantage when the opponent’s concentration is drifted away by complaisance.

Well, as it has been made obvious to football lovers over and over again, under estimating other sides isn’t a mistake expected to be made by Barcelona; but still, Almeria could shock them by playing unpredicted soccer.

Perhaps, taking into considering their inability to handle teams this season, this could be the ideal remedy for Almeria this weekend, if ever they are to bounce back from their poor form and get their first away win this season.