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Barca look for 24 hour leadership at home to Malaga

Xinhua, February 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona entertain Malaga on Saturday afternoon knowing that a win would see them overtake Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish BBVA Primera Liga.

The leadership could be merely temporary given that Madrid play struggling Elche on Sunday, but it would none the less be a major boost for Luis Enrique's side.

Barcelona go into the game unbeaten since the first weekend of January when they were defeated 1-0 by Real Sociedad, while Malaga appear to have run out of steam following an excellent first half to the season. Javi Gracia's side have won just one of their last seven league games and travel to Barcelona following a 4-1 defeat to Levante and a 2-0 loss at home to Espanyol, which have left their hopes of European football looking slim.

Barca will once again be looking to Leo Messi to produce his magic in the Camp Nou: the Argentinean has scored in Barca's last 11 home games and last weekend saw him produce a hat-trick to finish off Levante.

Speaking in the week Messi said the defeat to Real Sociedad had brought about a change of attitude among the players, while his own poor form last season was a factor in motivating him to reach the heights this time around.

Another factor in the game could be that Barcelona have a tough Champions League trip to play Manchester City next week and Luis Enrique could be tempted to rest some of his key players. That might see Xavi Hernandez, who now accepts his role as a bit-part player, stepping into central midfield with Marc Bartra and Adriano also getting their chance.

Messi is not the only Barca striker who has been in form of late and although Neymar and Luis Suarez are gelling as a unit, Neymar could also be rested with Pedro Rodriguez getting another chance to shine in the Camp Nou.

Barca's aim is to take all three points and then they will be able to enjoy looking at the Sunday papers and hope to see Madrid slip up in Elche. Endi