Barça/Athletic Bilbao preview.

After what seems like an eternity, the international break is now over, and it's back to business as usual in La Liga.

Some concerning developments have emerged in the last 48 hours ; namely that Marquez, Abidal and Toure have all contracted the H1N1 virus and thus will not play until they recover.

This is particularly unfortunate considering Abidal's recent form for Barça, though thankfully we have a capable replacement in Maxwell.

It has also emerged that Zlatan tweaked his hamstring in training, and will miss today's game. Whilst this is not ideal, it is imperative that he rests with the aim of playing in the game against Inter during the week, which is more important.

On the positive side, Gabby Milito made his first appearance for us in over a year this week, in a friendly game made up of non-international first team players and reserves.

Hopefully his rehabilitation continues to progress, and he'll be available after Christmas as is predicted.

Now to tonight's game :

It seems like Barça/Athletic Bilbao is the most played fixture between two La Liga clubs in recent memory (indeed, it may well be!). After playing twice last year in the league, twice in the Spanish Supercup and of course, the Copa Del Rey final, this will the sixth time Pep has lead us out to battle against the Basques.....

....which may well be a good thing : as it stands, our record against Athletic under Pep is 5 wins out of 5, and I expect that to continue tonight.

The word on the street is that Bojan will be handed a central role tonight, with Henry on the left and Messi out right. Maxwell will slot in for Abidal, and likewise Busquets will probably replace Toure (though Keita is of course a possibility). I predict the lineup will be completed with Xavi and Iniesta in midfield, and Puyol, Pique and Alves at the back:

---------------Valdes-----------------

Alves----Puyol--Pique---Maxwell-

-------------Busquets----------------

-------Xavi-----------Iniesta--------

Messi-------Bojan-----------Henry-

Athletic are a good, physically strong team, but I feel they rely too heavily on magic from Llorente for victories. If we can contain him (which has been the case in the last 5 encounters) then this will be a routine victory for the Blaugrana. Bojan has had a good run of goals recently, and as a player who works on confidence, I expect him to score again today, as he did against Athletic in the Copa Del Rey final.

I'll go for 3-0, with Messi, Bojan and Henry to net.

I'll be back for the midweek game against Inter.

Until then,

Visca el Barça i visca Catalunya.