Last time out, Athletic Bilbao pushed Barcelona to the brink again; it took a Luis Suarez volley to break the deadlock and it was the match winner, after Lionel Messi had missed a penalty that would have given Barca the lead. But three points is three points and that is crucial.
Barcelona's depth will be tested
Although Barcelona will be favorites, they are coming in limping after losing a couple of key players in the past few weeks.
Barcelona's depth will be tested, however.Neymar is just coming back from injury and recently said goodbye to Pedro as he left for Chelsea last week. They will likely rely on either Munir to be on. the wing or put Rafinha on the wing but Munir starting will be the likely move Luis Enrique will make. But the fact that Neymar was training with the team has to be a positive.
But Neymar has been in the news even more as he was recently linked to a move to Manchester United. The news was quickly dismissed by many members of the media and even coach Luis Enrique who said this when asked about the chance of Neymar leaving Barcelona :
"It doesn't interest me to talk about rumours, nor these types of situations."
Barcelona weak at the back?
Barcelona will also still be without Gerard Pique, who was setn off and later suspended in the Spanish Super Cup where he insulted a referee. They will rely on the ever steady Javier Mascherano and Thomas Vermaelen.
After playing only a game for Barcelona last season, the Belgian is ready to contribute on defense and is climbing up the depth chart. They also may be without Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets. The later will likely play but Alves is set to miss the clash. Sergi Roberto played fantastic against Athletic and has shown that he can contribute playing right back for the Catalans. A midfielder by trade, he has shown ability to play multiple and will likely be played more by Luis Enrique because of this.
Barcelona's defense has been sub par of late. They were leaking goals through against Athletic in the Spanish Super Cup and against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup. with Pique out and Dani Alves hurt, Barcelona's defense will have to come up even bigger to stop their opponents. .
Malaga look to strike on the counter
The visitors will be facing an opponent who is very conistent in the top flight of Spanish football. After finishing last year in 9th place, Malaga drew Europa League winners Sevilla 0-0, a good start for the new season. They could have won the game but a late goal was called offside. They will be looking to take a point against Barcelona as Malaga look to climb back into Europe. They were seconds from reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League a few years back but they fell off after that.
Look for Malaga to try and hit Barcelona on the counter attack. They know Barcelona will control possession and the chances. Given the vulnerability of Barcelona at the back, look for Malaga to try and catch them out on the break like Athletic did in the Spanish Super Cup so well. If Malaga can emulate any success Bilbao had, they will have a chance to win this game and shock Barcelona in the Camp Nou.
It will be a tough test for Malaga as they face a Barcelona team with depth issues but it will be an interesting matchup as we await the return of Neymar.