29 January 2011
Barcelona were in fine form as they thrashed Almeria 5-0 in the Kings Cup semi-final first leg at the Nou Camp on Wednesday to put one foot in the final and now face the only side to beat them in the league this season.
Promoted Hercules stunned Barcelona with a 2-0 win at the Nou Camp just two games into the new season and the champions will be out for revenge in the return fixture on Saturday.
Barcelona have won 14 consecutive matches in the league to reach the summit but coach Pep Guardiola insists his team have not forgotten about the threat from Real Madrid.
“This (championship) isn’t over yet as we are only halfway through,” said Guardiola. “Real are only four points behind, still in the Kings Cup and the Champions League. They could still win everything this season.”
Sevilla must pick themselves up from the disappointment of their Cup reverse to Real and focus on trying to improve their league position.
Gregorio Manzano’s side are 11 points off the top four and have a testing trip to the Riazor Stadium to face Deportivo La Coruna.
Elsewhere Almeria need to forget their 5-0 Kings Cup semi-final first leg mauling by Barcelona and focus on trying to stay up
A first league home win last weekend lifted Almeria off bottom spot and they are now just one point from safety going into Saturday’s match at promoted Real Sociedad.
Fixtures
Saturday – all 1700 GMT unless stated
Real Mallorca v Sporting Gijon, Malaga v Real Zaragoza, Levante v Getafe, Real Sociedad v Almeria, Hercules v Barcelona (1900 GMT), Deportivo La Coruna v Sevilla (2100 GMT)
2010 AFP
