After the first full week of rest and training in between matches since Christmas, Barcelona return to the pitch this Saturday when they face relegation candidates Getafe at Camp Nou. The Blaugrana continue to ride their momentum and create history, and look to extend their record-setting unbeaten run to 37 games, as well as winning a twelfth straight La Liga match.
The stats show it all: the Blaugranes are the second best offense (78 goals scored) and the second best defense (22 goals conceded), have the most wins (23) and the fewest losses (3) in Spain so far. With an eight-point advantage at the top of the table, the Catalan giants are in prime position to defend their league title in dominant fashion. With ten fixtures left, they have never looked more favorites to lift the trophy.
And that's where the trap lies: can the giant lead and the overwhelming dominance become a problem down the line? Will the unstoppable force of the first 28 games relax and lose focus in the home stretch of the league? Can the team no one can touch turn into an easy target when the matches matter the most? How will history remember this group: the one that destroyed Spain on their way to another championship or as the one that relinquished the title in spectacular fashion when it seemed impossible?
Beating Getafe will answer all those questions, and likely set the tone for the final nine games. This is a vital match, regardless of what the table shows. Every game is vital. That is the mindset.
TEAM NEWS
BARCELONA
Coach Luis Enrique is certainly focused on this Saturday's match, but he does have an eye on the Champions League game against Arsenal in just a few days. Being a rotation-happy coach already, it is likely that Lucho goes for a slightly changed lineup instead of the classic Gala XI.
One change from the Gala XI is already certain: Javier Mascherano picked up a fifth yellow card last week against Eibar and is unavailable. Rafinha Alcântara, who is a few days away from getting a medical green light, is not the only injured player in the squad anymore: Sandro Ramírez picked up a muscle injury and will miss the next six weeks of action, and is also out for Saturday.
Gerard Piqué won't play against Arsenal, so he's set to start, probably alongside Jérémy Mathieu, with Jordi Alba retaining his starting spot at left-back, with Dani Alves completing the defense. Sergio Busquets has a knock, and there are questions over his starting spot as the Pivote, and Sergi Roberto could start against Getafe. Arda Turan had a great game at Eibar, and might have a go from the start again, with Andrés Iniesta returning and Ivan Rakitic going to the bench.
Neymar returns from suspension and is certain to start. Luis Suárez might finally get a rest, but the most likely trio is again the 'MSN'.
GETAFE
The Madrid side, already one of the weakest in the league, is coming to Camp Nou even more depleted, with six players set to miss due to injuries and suspensions, including perhaps the best player on the team, forward Pablo Sarabia, who is suspended for yellow card accumulation.
Getafe will come to defend, but they are also missing center-back Cala, one of the best on the team, which certainly makes things even harder for a team expected to lose big at the Camp Nou.
FORM GUIDE
Barcelona: WWWWWW
Getafe: LLLLLD
LAST MEETING
FC Getafe 0-2 FC Barcelona - 31 October 2015 - La Liga
A Halloween affair in the Spanish capital saw a dominant performance from the Blaugrana, who were still trying to figure out life without Lionel Messi. But Neymar and Suárez ran the show and scored one goal apiece as the Catalans were able to get an important road victory.
LIKELY LINEUPS
Barcelona (4-3-3): Bravo; Alves, Piqué, Mathieu, Alba; Roberto, Arda, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar
Getafe (4-3-3): Guaita; Buendia, Velázquez, Vergini, Pereira; Medrán, Lacen, Rodríguez; Rodríguez, Scepovic, Yoda
WATCH ONLINE
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MATCH PREDICTION
Getafe will probably park the bus, and it will take some time for Barça to find gaps. But ultimately we'll score a few goals and get a good 3-0 win.
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