Another tough test

Roger Bogunyà

FC Barcelona return to league action on Saturday evening (22:00, R@dio Barça) when a resurgent Sevilla side visit and provide Pep Guardiola’s outfit with a new test.

The Blaugrana entertain the Andalucian outfit for the second game of their four-match home run, which has been dubbed the Tourmalet, as they have played Valencia and have Sevilla, Villarreal and then Real Madrid to play in consecutive matches at Camp Nou. After tasting victory in the Copa del Rey in midweek Barça are back in Primera action and coach Pep Guardiola has already revealed that he is looking forward to pitting himself against Sevilla once again as they now have Gregorio Manzano in charge.

Home sweet home
After inconsistent home form saw Barça lose to Hércules and then draw with Real Mallorca early in the campaign the results are turning around with Valencia beaten 2-1 in the league and FC Copenhagen going down 2-0 in the Champions League in the last two outings. Now Guardiola is hopeful that the season can be put firmly on track against a side that will be competing throughout the term for honours.

Have a break
Barça have been buoyed by the news that Xavi Hernández and Gabriel Milito have both recovered from knocks, while first-team stars such as Lionel Messi, David Villa, Víctor Valdés, Daniel Alves, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta all enjoyed a week without playing as they were rested for the trip south to Ceuta on Tuesday. The only absentee for the Sevilla encounter is Jeffren Suárez after he dislocated his shoulder in the cup outing.

No Palop or Alves
Sevilla chalked up a 0-4 win against Irún in the Copa del Rey despite leaving out some big names, such as Luis Fabiano and Frédéric Kanouté. Manzano, who took over from Antonio Álvarez this season, will be without Andrés Palop, who is still injured, former Barça defender Fernando Navarro, who is suspended, and Jesús Navas, who also has a knock, for the game this weekend. Instead, young Javi Varas will again try to take his chance in goal for the visitors while Antonio Luna has been promoted from the B side.