Barcelona v Seville
Spanish Super Cup 2nd Leg
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Saturday 21st August 2010 - KO 19.30

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The Supercopa de Espana is Spanish football’s equivalent of the charity shield and is contested between the winner of the La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Since its inception in 1982 both Barcelona and Real Madrid have won it 8 times each with Seville’s only success coming back in 2007

BARCELONA

Due to their exploits in the world cup and more so a round of international fixtures that saw 14 first team players participate the midweek prior, Pep Guardiola decided to trust his second string team to do a job in the first leg away to Seville.

In theory this was not seen as too much of a risk as the B team together with a sprinkling of the first team had delivered a very successful preseason tour. Indeed they took the lead through Ibrahimovic and all looked well until Seville produced a great second half performance to win the tie 3-1.

Barcelona were probably prepared to accept a draw or narrow defeat but Konoute’s late brace has left a great deal of work to be done.

Barcelona have finally this week had the luxury of training with its full first team squad and by all accounts they are all fit, so expect to see a star studded line up in their attempt to turn this tie around.

The home fans will revel in welcoming new signing David Villa to the Camp Nou, who will join Messi and Ibrahimovic in a potent attacking line up.

Spain's world cup stars Xavi and Iniesta will be brought in to control the ball in midfield with Pique and Puyol back in defence to see off Seville’s deadly strikers.

Possible Barcelona Line Up :
Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Adriano, Busquest, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Ibrahimovic, Villa

SEVILLE

Seville will take great heart from the first leg result albeit they will be weary of what lies ahead with a full strength team Barca at the Camp Nou.

Seville also now have to bear in mind their more important second leg the following Wednesday when they host Braga in a champions league qualifier after a disappointing 1-0 defeat when they were clearly the better side.

Obviously winning a trophy would be nice but the reward of qualifying for the European top competition far outweighs this game.

Antonio Alvarez likes to play with two out and out wingers down the flanks in Capel and the very rapid Navas. I imagine he will again start with a single striker up front, probably, Fabiano as he holds the ball up so well and target Barcelona on the counter attack. This will allow an extra player in the middle to try and break up Barcelona’s famous tic-tac passing that Spain used to great effect in South Africa.

Seville will know only too well what happened to them last time they came to town and were on the wrong end of a 4-0 free lesson from Barcelona, that day their defence was non existent.

Possible Seville Line-up :
Palop, Navarro, Fazio, Escude, Dabo, Zakora, Renato, Romaric, Navas, Capel, Fabiano

HEAD TO HEAD

14/08/2010 Seville 3-1 Bareclona – Spanish Super Cup
08/05/2010 Seville 2-3 Barcelona – La liga
16/01/2010 Barcelona 4-0 Seville – La Liga
13/01/2010 Seville 0-1 Barcelona – Copa del Rey
05/01/2010 Barcelona 1-2 Seville – Copa del Rey
22/04/2009 Barcelona 4-0 Seville – La Liga

The betting Verdict :

Barcelona are always keen to outdo the success of their rivals Madrid and I expect to see an ultra attacking Barcelona take an early goal and go on to dominate the game to win a record 9 super cups.

I think that 2-0 or 3-0 are likely score lines.

The Pick :

Barcelona 2-0 Seville

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take a HT/FT bet of Barcelona HT / Barcelona FT