There are matches that need to be won to achieve goals.
There are matches that need to be won to earn trophies.
There are matches that need to be won to silence critics, win over fans or to amend the past.

Then there are matches which simply need to be won.
Like this match.

The stage is set, the lights are lit, the stands are a-buzzing, the time is now for Barcelona in what is the biggest league match for them this season, with a negative result for the Blaugrana gifting their fierce rivals Real Madrid a dangerous gap at the pinnacle of La Liga.

This is Barcelona vs Valencia. This is it.

They would fight, they would claw, but they would eventually fall. FC Barcelona’s best efforts were – at the hands of Almeria – cast away after the in-form Mediterranean-based side held an uncreative and depleted Barcelona to a 2-2 draw, thus leading the once unstoppable Blaugrana into the inevitable jaws of Los Blancos.

Do or Die. Defined as: requiring supreme effort to avoid the dire consequences of failure. It could not sum up the situation for Barcelona in this match any better.

Invincible, unable to comprehend, relentless. These words once described how Barcelona were regarded in the league, however, the baton of praise has now been passed on, passed on to the place in which Culés worldwide become sick at the thought of – the Spanish capital of Madrid.

Currently within the Barcelona camp there are three problems. They are not those of injuries or suspensions, they are trophy-threatening, season defying problems that are currently controlling and running the title race between the two best sides in Spain.

Number One

12 wins on the trot out of their last 13 fixtures in La Liga has seen Madrid emerge as a faultless machine of forever flowing wins. This leaves Barcelona facing the unfortunate reality that they are unable to rely on their rivals to ‘slip up’ in the run home, and the Catalans themselves must win every game in La Liga in order to maintain a fully fledged top-level position in La Liga. This goal is easier said than done however, for the Blaugrana’s first hurdle may prove too difficult a challenge to conquer, thus Barcelona’s second problem arises.

Number Two

Barcelona’s opponents are Valencia.
Despite being nestled in a distant third in the league, Los Che have – historically, and this season – been a fierce force to reckon with in any La Liga race. Fast paced, attacking and well rounded football is the philosophy in which this prestigious club has been built and with players among the likes of David Villa, David Silva, Ever Banega, Juan Mata and Joaquin in their line up, this force may prove to be too much for the Blaugrana to overcome. Barcelona’s recent dip in form has led to their third and final problem, which is paramount for predictions regarding this fixture.

Number Three

A loss to Atletico Madrid. A draw to Stuttgart. A draw to Almeria. All within the space of one month for FC Barcelona. Despite the panic button not yet being pushed, hands are certainly hovering nervously above it as an injury-plagued and uncharacteristic period of time for the club is seeing former leads sliced back and trophy opportunities fade away in the blink of 11 eyes. This rut within the team, added with the opponent Barcelona will face, would with most teams equal a dismal and depressing result for the Catalans. Note the use of the words “with most teams.” Football Club Barcelona isn’t most teams; they are the Sextuple champions, the greatest team on the planet. Resilient, defiant and unpredictable, Barcelona will never accept a ‘formality’ loss nor will they admit prior defeat. For amidst the storm in which Guardiola’s Gladiators find themselves, the silver lining will be chased down by the greatest team in the world, who will stop at nothing to reach their goal.

Team News

Barcelona

Thierry Henry has this week returned to full training following a niggling issue with his Achilles tendon, whilst Carles Puyol also trained with his team mates after he suffered back problems throughout the week.

Meanwhile, the long term absentee Eric Abidal remains doubtful, despite the fact that the left back commenced light training this week. His partner on the sidelines for the past weeks, Seydou Keita, is now available for selection, however it is highly unlikely that Guardiola will opt to rush the Malian into an immediate start.

Swedish International Zlatan Ibrahimovic was controversially red carded on the weekend and will – despite the Blaugrana’s midweek appeals – miss the game via suspension. The striker will be joined in the stands by his manager, who also received a disputable dismissal in last weekend’s clash.

Predicted Starting XI, Barcelona: Valdes – Alves – Pique – Marquez – Maxwell – Xavi – Toure – Iniesta – Messi – Henry – Pedro

Valencia

Barcelona will, in the lead up to the game, be more aware than ever that there is a God. Seemingly a blessing, Barcelona’s mammoth loss of Ibrahimovic for this game has been eased by the news that Valencia’s wanted-by-Barca striker David Villa is an extreme doubt for tonight’s clash in the Camp Nou. The Spanish International landed awkwardly in his side’s mid-week clash with Germany’s Werder Bremen, and thus sustained a painful shoulder injury that should sideline the star forward (Note: Latest news reports suggest that Villa has been included in the Valencia squad).

Jeremy Mathieu has been listed as a long-term injury and will miss tonight’s game as will David Navarro.

Predicted Starting XI, Valencia: Cesar – Miguel – Dealbert – Alexis – Bruno – Fernandes – Banega – Joaquin – Mata – Silva – Dominguez

Key Players

Thierry Henry

It may seem a cliché that the out of favour, out of form, soon to be retiree pops up as the best player in tonight’s game. However, Thierry Henry’s talents are a unique phenomena. Bottled away somewhere within the Frenchman is what was once the most feared forward in the world, and in what is undoubtedly the biggest game for Barcelona this season, and what could well be Thierry Henry’s last start for the Catalans, the stage is set for Henry to make amends and respond to his ferocious critics in spectacular fashion.

Juan Manuel Mata

Once forever cast beneath the shadows of David Villa and David Silva, Juan Manuel Mata is now beginning to drift assertively into the poll position at his club.

His pace, shots, passing and crossing are among those of a catalogue of textbook traits that result in this player being wanted by Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid and the Catalans. In what may be a tired Valencia side, Mata will be the key instigator of their swift movements up front and will be a constant pest for a chasing Blaugrana.

Prediction

Each tick of the clock sees the moment of truth edge forever closer for a raring FC Barcelona. Factors that will decide this blockbuster encounter must all be collected into one ultimate pot of decision in order to predict this tie.

Among those factors is the decisive note that Valencia played in a game mid-week and will be considerably fatigued compared to their fresh opponents whose 4-game months have come as a blessing for the side who were once playing almost triple that amount in the same time span.

It is also to be noted that the man who has scored 40% of Valencia’s goals, is captain of his side, and is arguably the best striker in Spain, is poised to be sidelined for this clash. Having scored a mammoth 11 more goals than his side’s second leading goal scorer, David Villa is the go-to man in all situations for Valencia this season who have – ironically – been relying on the fitness of Villa’s shoulders to carry them through thick and thin this season.

This is more than a match for the World Champions. This is the season on the line, a slip up could see the end for Guardiola’s men and recent form implies that this could be the case. However, form is temporary whereas class is permanent. The team must find the ability to sustain their nerve and shrug off all criticism. Accusations and labels that have been plastered over Barcelona in the past months must be eradicated, for failure to do so will have immeasurable consequences.

They won the Champions League final, they won the Copa del Rey final, they won the FIFA Club World Cup final, and they won the European and Spanish Supercup finals. Big games are made for Barcelona to perform in and Barcelona are made for big games. Form is to be forgotten against Valencia. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and company will be at their best doing what they do best, playing the big matches and winning them.

Barcelona 2 – 0 Valencia

Leo10.