Racing Santander v FC Barcelona
Football: Spain: Primera Division 2010/2011
El Sardinero, Santander
Sunday 29th august 2010- Kickoff 6pm BST

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The opening game of the season sees reigning champions Barcelona travel to Santander.

RACING SANTANDER

Racing's basic aim this season will be survival in the top flight having scraped about in the relegation dog fight last term and eventually finishing up 16th.

However, the more optimisic supporters will remember the highs of the 2007-08 season where they reached the giddy heights of 6th.

This term they will have to do without the goals and talent of Sergio Canales who was snapped up by Real Madrid following an array of spectacular performances worthy of a
big team tranfer.

Santander will now have to rely heavily on Tchite and Munitis to get the goals and Colsa in midfield to do the creating.

Surely the biggest worry for Racing will be their terrible home form last season with only 4 games won at El Sardinero, although I don't think Miguel Angel Portugal will be looking at todays fixture as the best chance to improve on this.

Santander will at least look to improve on the 4-0 and 4-1 scorelines handed out by mainly Messi in last years' two fixtures.

Possible Racing Santander lineup :
Tono, Pinillos, Henrique, Oriol, Cisma, Colsa, Tziolis, Diop, Arana, Munitis, Tchite

FC BARCELONA

The big stories around the Nou Camp this week have been the signing of Mascherano from Liverpool and the pending departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Ac Milan. This seems now to be a matter of time for the Swede as Pep has removed him from the squad for this fixture.

In truth Ibrahimovic has never really settled in and I'm sure everyone would agree David Villa is more than capable of filling his sizable boots, and some.

Barca will been looking to get their defence of the championship off to a winning start and to continue the level of performance from last week's impressive Super Cup thumping win over Seville.

Barcelona did play AC Milan midweek in the annual Gamper friendly but they used this match as more of a final preseason to give a few first teamers and fringe players a run out.

The match did see Villa get his first goal much to the fans delight but Milan hit back before Barca eventually edged it on penalties.

Expect to see Pep going with the strongest possible team, bearing in mind its an away game, he is likely to play Busquets and Keita in holding roles with Xavi running the show. This enables the three pronged attack of Messi, Iniesta and Villa upfront.

Possible Barcelona lineup :
Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Pique, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Keita, Messi, Villa, Iniesta

THE BETTING PREDICTION

Barcelona's relentless pursuit of football perfection starts here. These types of games are a must win and I don't expect any problems.

The defending champions have more than enough firepower to make this comfortable and I think Barcelona 2-0 or 3-1 are likely scorelines.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Racing Santander 1-3 Barcelona

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

For the big hitters I see anything over 1.20 for the Barcelona win as value

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Barcelona -1.5 Asian Handicap to win by 2+ goals (main bet)