BARCELONA

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Coach Frank Rijkaard welcomes back Oleguer Presas to the Barcelona squad as the Primera Liga leaders return to domestic action with a trip to bottom side Numancia.

The Catalan defender has missed Barca's last two matches, including the mid-week Champions League triumph over Chelsea, with a groin strain and Rijkaard will now have to decide whether to drop Rafael Marquez or Demetrio Albertini to accommodate him.

The Dutch coach is expecting a stern test from a battling Numancia side.

``We are very focused at the moment and that is necessary as games like this can be complicated,'' he said. We need to be strong and going from playing in the Champions League to Soria will be a real test.

``Their position in the league could be deceiving for us. There are no easy games in the league and we must show character in a very important match for Barcelona. Numancia play with a lot of heart and come out strong particularly when they are up against teams which theoretically are better.''

Rijkaard also underlined the importance of taking the strain off players by resting them if necessary during the season.

``When there is a chance to give someone a break and it is needed, it should be taken but if a player is fine and is not complaining of being tired there is no point in changing for the sake of changing,'' he said. We have different options but at the moment the team is healthy and is not troubled by the number of games.''

However, Rijkaard was concerned by the potentially poor weather his side may encounter in Soria.

``This is part of football and you have to play in conditions which are not favourable but this adds another attractive element to it,'' he enthused.

``This is going to be a hard match and we have to cope with the circumstances - it will be a further motivation. In the league, I am not looking at any other side, all we are doing is preparing ourselves for one match. We need to be concentrated and then afterwards, we can see how the other teams are getting on.''

Striker Maxi Lopez came on as a substitute to great effect against Chelsea in a rare appearance for the azulgrana.

Since his move from River Plate in January he has been used only fleetingly by Rijkaard but with a numerical advantage against the English team, he came on and duly scored the equaliser before setting-up the winner for Samuel Eto'o.

``Maxi is young but has the right attitude, is educated and a hard worker,'' Rijkaard added. He says that he has come here to learn and is a special player. We know that he is brave but at the moment we cannot put the weight of the team on his shoulders and we need to progress calmly.''

Numancia beat Albacete last week to give them some hope in their fight for survival and boss Maximo Hernandez is confident that Miguel Perez, Juan Carlos Moreno and Silvio Pulpo will be fit to play after shrugging off knocks.

Numancia have lost their last two home games while Barcelona will be confident coming into this game after their CL win over Chelsea. They have won their last two away games 1-4 at Zaragoza and 0-4 at Seville. They should have way too much for lowly Numancia today and I'm taking the 4/9 on offer at Bluesq [£25 Free Bet]

Recommendation:	BARCELONA @ 4/9 with BLUESQ
		[£25 Free Bet]

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