Barcelona aims for sixth Spanish Super Cup vs Espanyol
Next up for UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona is the Spanish Super Cup, a title the club has won six times in the past, and which this year has the added spice of being a derby encounter with local rivals RCD Espanyol.
The first title of the year is there for the taking, and what better way to get the official football season under way in the city of Barcelona than not one, but two, high profile matches between the citys two footballing giants.
The Super Cup was created by the Royal Federation in 1982, and since then Barcelona have appeared in no fewer than 11 editions.
Barcelona have just returned from a draining two-week promotional tour of Mexico and the United States, but coach Frank Rijkaard has said there is no danger of his players holding back in Thursday’s match.
The majority of Barca’s players have been released from international duty to prepare for the game and Rijkaard’s only selection worries centre on Carles Puyol, Xavi and Juliano Belletti who all have minor injury niggles.
Thursday’s game at Montjuic will give new signings Eidur Gudjohnsen, Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram a chance to play their first competitive matches for the Catalans, while Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi will be raring to go after their disappointing performances at the World Cup.
Barcelona’s sixth Super Cup was won last season. Barça got their double winning season off to a tremendous start with a 3-0 win away to Betis. It mattered for nothing that they lost the return leg 2-1 at the Camp Nou. Frank Rijkaard had his first Super Cup.
All Horse Racing offers odds on every major sporting event in the world including the English Premier League, Super Bowl, World Cup, Baseball World Series, Stanley Cup, Basketball, Golf– you name it– we got it!
5% Redeposit bonus ever Thursday!
Spanish Super Cup Prediction: BET on Barcelona to beat Espanyol, 3-1.
