Barcelona aims to recapture form at home to Zaragoza

Barcelona aims to recapture form at home to Zaragoza

MADRID, Oct. 24 -- FC Barcelona looks to recapture its early season form when Zaragoza visits the Camp Nou Stadium on Sunday night.

Barcelona claimed a hard-fought draw in Valencia last Saturday but then lost at home to Rubin Kazan in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

In neither game did Pep Guardiola's players find their best form and some such as Leo Messi looked tired after a busy early season fixture calendar.

Now Barcelona needs a win to maintain its lead over Real Madrid.

The good news at the club is that captain Carles Puyol has agreed a new contract, while defenders Rafael Marquez and Dmitro Chygrynskiy are both available after injuries.

Thierry Henry, meanwhile remains sidelined with a slight muscle problem.

Zaragoza travels after a decent start to the season on the club's return to the Primera Liga. Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has been its best player to date.

Meanwhile there are another six Primera Liga matches to be played on Sunday night.

Xerez travels to Tenerife after winning its first game of the season last weekend at home to Villarreal. Tenerife coach Jose Luis Oltra was given a vote of confidence following last weekend's defeat to Espanyol.

Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde, however, will almost certainly be sacked should his side lose at home to Malaga.

Bottom of the table Villarreal is without a win all season and on Thursday lost in the Europa Liga away to Lazio. Malaga is second from bottom and has only one win all campaign. That came on the first day of the season at home to Atletico Madrid.

Deportivo la Coruna aims to keep its excellent start going away to Valladolid. Deportivo is fourth in the table, while Valladolid is struggling fourth from bottom.

Getafe coach Michel has asked his players to be more aggressive for the visit of Athletic club Bilbao. Getafe has looked strong at home this campaign but has struggled on the road.

Athletic meanwhile picked up a morale boosting European win on Thursday night.

Osasuna aims to keep the momentum going from last weekend's 3-0win when Jose Antonio Camacho's side visits Racing Santander, while Valencia coach Unai Emery takes his team to visit former club Almeria.

Valencia slipped up in Europe during the week and Emery needs agood result to ease some of the pressure. The good news is that striker David Villa is available for selection.
(Xinhua)