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Team News
Deportivo La Coruna have no injury concern as Abel Aguilar is set to return to his defensive midfield position after recovering. The hosts may opt to play a negative game and thus call on Alex Bergantinos ahead of veteran player Juan Carlos Valeron.
Cesc Fabregas – who missed a penalty for Spain against France on Tuesday – might be left out from Tito Vilanova’s starting line-up. With the coach looking to protect Gerard Pique even in the absence of injured Dani Alves, Martin Montoya is likely to be given a spot in defence with Javier Mascherano.
Analysis
The man of the moment is Lionel Messi. He enjoyed positive results with Argentina during the international break. He may as well translate that with another brilliant display this weekend. In his last match for Barcelona in La Liga, La Pulga netted twice. However, his goals were not enough to secure victory as Cristiano Ronaldo emulated this feat to steal a point for Real Madrid.
Against Deportivo La Coruna, Messi and the entire team are destined to shine and get back to winning ways. Saturday’s hosts are in a deplorable state with three draws and three defeats in their last six La Liga matches. They are 17 places below league leaders Barcelona; in other words, they linger in the relegation zone.
Head-to-head – Last five meetings
May 30, 2009: Deportivo La Coruna 1-1 Barcelona
December 5, 2009: Deportivo La Coruna 1-3 Barcelona
April 14, 2010: Barcelona 3-0 Deportivo La Coruna
January 8, 2011: Deportivo La Coruna 0-4 Barcelona
May 15, 2011: Barcelona 0-0 Deportivo La Coruna
Facts
• At two occasions in the last couple of years, Barcelona dropped points away to Deportivo La Coruna.
• Deportivo La Coruna have failed to score against Barcelona in over 270 minutes of football.
• Deportivo La Coruna (14) have conceded twice as many goals as Barcelona (7) in La Liga.
Prediction
Barcelona will bounce back from their home draw in El Clasico with a straightforward victory.
Result: Deportivo 1-5 Barcelona
