Barcelona v Deportivo La Coruna
Football: Spain, Primera Division
Saturday, 17th January 2009 - 19:00

Barcelona (1st - Home : 7-2-0 31:6)

Barcelona are on fire with 10 wins in their last 11 league games at all venues, and an average winning margin during that period of 2.9 goals per game !

Of course, that sort of form cannot last forever, and there are a few warning signs with key players reporting small injuries, but it's hard to fault this golden run of form.

Barcelona Team News :
Guardiola will not name his 18-man squad until the day of the game, but several players are due to return to action after being rested in midweek.

Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets all trained on Friday having reported various injuries during Thurday training.

Deportivo (7th - Away : 3-2-4 15:11)

Deportivo have been in good form as well, with five wins in the last seven matches, but a 1-3 home league loss to Sevilla last weekend, and a pair of Copa Del Rey defeats to the same team was a sharp reminder of their limitations against top sides.

Deportivo Team News :
None to hand.

Head to Head

The good days have gone for Deportivo, especially when visiting the Nou Camp, and Barcelona have won the last four encounters here - albeit by single goal margins each time.

Deportivo have done better at home, and beat Barcelona 2-0 last season in the reverse fixture.

The Verdict

Barcelona look to be a home banker - but the price is fair mediocre and only really good in a fun accumulator.

There is a bit of value in the massive price on the away side, but at an estimated 14% win chance you could be waiting seven seasons or so before the visitors finally win again at the Nou Camp - and it's not worth chasing.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Barcelona 2-1 Deportivo (or 3-1)

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Barcelona 68% - Draw 18% - Deportivo 14%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take BARCELONA as a reliable leg of any combo bet.