9.30 pm, Canal + – Barça welcome Valencia to the Camp Nou with the aim of maintaining their good start to the league campaign ahead of the international break
Thiago is now fit and ready to play while Song could make his Camp Nou debut
Every match is another small challenge. The aim this Sunday is to go into the international break with three wins and nine points from three matches. Victory tonight against Valencia would mean that FC Barcelona has completed one of the Club’s best starts to a league season in recent years. But it won’t be easy. Valencia might not have managed a win in their first two league matches but they are unbeaten and have held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in the Santiago Bernabeu.
A full squad
Vilanova has a full squad to choose from with the possible exception of Carles Puyol, who is still carrying an injury from the game in Pamplona against Osasuna and remains a doubt for tonight’s clash. On the plus side, Thiago and Alves are now fully fit and available while new signing Song could make his Camp Nou debut.
Valencia name a 20-man squad
Valencia also have a full squad available. Gago and Mathieu have made the trip up to Barcelona despite earlier doubts about their fitness and have been included in the 20-man squad. Meanwhile, star signing Cissokho has also been named in the squad and may feature at left back. Two players who will be missing are Ricardo Costa (suspension) and Banega (injury). Valencia have drawn their opening two league game, against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu (1-1) and at home to Deportivo (3-3).