Article by: Calvin ‘Calves’ Ferreira
Many regard this as the clash of the season so far. The worlds two best football playing teams against each other in a two legged affair for top European honours! Last weeks 1st leg was mouth watering to say the least, with a first half onslaught by Barca that most of us have come to expect of them over the past 4 seasons.
Barca grabbed a crucial away goal and all thought that the flood gates would open and a repeat of last years humiliating exit for the Gunners was going to occur. The second half was a whole new ball game with Arsenal increasing the tempo of their passing and movement thus not allowing Barca to ‘free flow’ like they usually do! The high intensity of the game dictated that Barca could not dominate for 90 minutes and in saying that Arsenal did what they do best, and scored 2 classic counter attack goals to seal the tie and take a slim lead to The Camp Nou!
Speculation has been rife this week as to who is going to be fit, and, who is going to be starting for both teams in this epic Clash Of The Titans.
Barcelona are with out their centre back pairing of suspended Gerrard Pique and the injured Spanish stalwart Carlos Puyol (tendonitis in left knee). Therefore they will have to opt for the more inexperienced pairing of Sergio Busquets and Eric Abidal at the back. Other than this, Barca are looking super strong as usual and the attacking prowess of Messi, Pedro, Villa, Iniesta and Xavi will be iminent tonight!
Arsenal are also looking extremely strong going into this clash, with the only noticeable exclusions of Alexander Song (knee injury) and Theo Walcott (shoulder). Fabregas, Van Persie and the impressive youngster Jack Wilshere all passed fitness tests and are ready for the big game. Get in there gents!
The significance of this game to both teams season is enormous. Both are still the in running for ‘The Treble’, whilst a win tonight for either side will give them that confidence boost needed to push through the last part of the season. Hopefully this drives either of them on to finish off with some silverware in the trophy cabinet.It has been a while! Well for Arsenal at least :p
Possible Starting XI`s
Arsenal
1. Szczesny
2. Sagna
3. Koscielny
4. Squilacci
5. Clichy
6. Diaby
7. Fabregas
8. Nasri
9. Arshavin
10. Van Persie
11. Rosicky
Barcelona
1. Valdes
2. Alves
3. Bisquets
4. Abidal
5. Maxwell
6. Xavi
7. Iniesta
8. Messi
9. Pedro
10. Villa
11. Bojan
Match Prediction
Well seeing as though I have been a Gunners fan since I was in diapers, I think it’s only appropriate that I go with a 3-1 victory for The Mighty Gooners!
Dyls prediction is obviously against mine 😉 He says a 2-1 Barca victory is lined up for later this evening, although he would rather see Arsenal, or any English side for that matter progress into the last 8 of the UEFA Champions League!
Great Build UP Son!!
Good article.. u and Dyl should go head to head on predictions for all the big games and we can see if u okes actually know what u talking about 😉
cool, done deal boy. Never really been a prediction man, or a betting man for that matter. But great idea Ev for the future. shot
Lekker Calv… nice preview of whats going to be possibly the most entertaining game tonight. MUST WIN FOR BARCA. They are going to be throwing out all the stops!
Good start son…
2-0 Barce prediction… If they win 3-1 (in this leg, and 5-2 on agg) I’ll buy you as much as you can drink on any given night out!
haha Ryan you beauty. I actually hope that Calv doesn’t win, because I will be there and we ain’t only drinking red wine!
Calves hopeful score line would pick up 66/1 whilst Dyl’s more objective prediction picks up 15/2… We have more than 100 markets to choose from in this game so check out za.sportingbet.com!!
awe Scotty must chat to you when you back my man. Looking for a betting sponsor/affiliate for our new site. It is looking sick too and got some jus Interviews lined up!
Keep up the good work ! 🙂
Shot Loway, when we hearing a new mix playa?
Nice work Calv, a little biased towards Arsenal but its going to be a cracker
Shot Sherman haha, I being a Gunners boy I had to try and have some faith. Was dissapointed with the overall effort of the side, except maybe Wilshere and Nasri.