Fourth-placed Malaga will attempt to become the first team other than Real Madrid to stop Barcelona from winning their league fixture this season, but the Catalans obviously remain hot favourites for the win.

Having started the season amidst huge financial problems, los Boquerones were predicted a very difficult season, but they overcame all the worries to stake their claim for another top 4 finish.

While doing extremely well to finish top of their Champions League group, Manuel Pellegrini’s side kept their performances in La Liga at a very high level and never really left the top 4.

Their latest three-match run included victories over Granada, Sevilla and Real Madrid, and even if it ended as they lost to Deportivo La Coruna, it should give the hosts reason for optimism ahead of the clash with mighty Barca.

After scoring no less than 13 goals in their last 4 home fixtures, Malaga are 1.57 (4/7) with Stan James to get on the scoresheet against Barcelona as well.

Boss Manuel Pellegrini managed to rest his key players in Copa del Rey win over Eibar in midweek, but the match did see Jeremy Toulalan return into action after recovering from injury. Full-back Jesus Gamez is suspended, while Julio Baptista remains sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Caballero – Sanchez, Demichelis, Weligton, Monreal – Toulalan, Eliseu – Joaquin, Isco, Buonanotte – Santa Cruz.

With the Catalans 11 and 16 points in front of Atletico and Real respectively, we can safely say La Liga title race is already over, but that doesn’t mean Barcelona are not motivated to continue their amazing run of results.

Even if everybody knew Barcelona were the number one candidates for the league title, nobody could predict they would record 17 wins in first 18 La Liga fixtures.

Having recorded six straight wins either side of the goalless draw with Benfica, the Catalans are clearly on top of their game and well positioned to see off Malaga at their La Rosaleda.

With Paddy Power paying 1.44 (3/9) on away win and bet365 offering 2.75 (7/4) on Leo Messi to score two goals or more, these are two excellent markets in my opinion.

The likes of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro and Fabregas are set to return after they were rested in the Copa del Rey victory over Cordoba, but Sergi Roberto is set for a four-week spell on the sidelines.

Full-back Adriano Correia has recovered from an ankle problem, while Isaac Cuenca and Marc Muniesa are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Valdes – Alves, Puyol, Pique, Alba – Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas – Pedro, Messi, Iniesta.

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