La Liga 2012-13: FC Barcelona Preview, Schedule, Predictions

CF Barcelona had won the La Liga Title for three consecutive seasons before losing it to hated rivals Real Madrid.

But last season's loss may have had more to do with injuries to major contributors such David Villa and Carles Puyols than the team underachieving. With two of their superstars back in the fold and with a   plethora of new additions, this team should be back on track to reclaim its fourth title in five years.

Staring XI

Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes is the only candidate to start in goal for Barcelona. No debate here.

Defense: Dani Alves will return to right full back. The addition of Jordi Alba makes him the most likely candidate for left full back, but the young defender will still need to prove himself. The return of Carles Puyol should relieve Javier Mascherano, a natural defensive midfielder, from the position of centre-back. However, should Coach Tito Vilanova feel that Puyol is not ready for full-time duties he may revert to keeping Mascherano in the center. Gerard Pique is a lock, especially after a strong Euro Cup performance.

Midfield: Regardless of Mascherano's status in the lineup, Sergio Busquets has the defensive central midfielder position locked up. He is easily the best in the world at the position. At the other central midfielder position Xavi Hernandez is undoubtedly still the main fixture in the middle for Barcelona. Should he falter, Cesc Fabregas is always on hand, but it is unlikely that he cracks the starting lineup right away. Of course, with Xavi getting older (he's 32), Fabregas' chances may be thrown into the position sooner than expected. Alexis Sanchez and Andres Iniesta will play on the wings. Iniesta is without a doubt the best winger in the world and his MVP performance at the Euro only cements that. Sanchez has more to prove, but will likely be Vilanova's choice on the right wing.

Strikers: Lionel Messi is a lock for the position. With the return of David Villa, there is no doubt that Vilanova will not miss out on Spain's all-time leading scorers' ability to score from anywhere on the pitch. Should Vilanova choose to employ a false nine attack, Messi gets the forward position and Villa sits on the bench. Or Messi plays in the center with Xavi and Villa gets the forward position.

Reserves: Pedro Rodriguez, Cristian Tello, Gerard Deulofeu, Ibrahim Afellay,Eric Abidal, Adriano, Marc Muniesa. Barcelona's depth is one of the reasons that the squad is always so successful.

Lineup

Goal Keepers

V. Valdes

Pinto

F. Vilanova

Defenders

D. Alves

C. Puyol

G. Pique

Mascherano

J. Alba

Montoya

Bartra

Adibal

Fontas

Muniesa

Midfielders

Xavi

C. Fabregas

Thiago

Jonathon

S. Busquets

A. Iniesta

A. Sanchez

Forwards

l. Messi

D. Villa

Pedro

Afellay

Adriano

Cuenca

Manager

T. Vilanova

Breakout Star: Jordi Alba. He has already announced himself on the international stage, but a major reason he is the candidate as breakout star is because he is the one who will likely get the most opportunities to succeed.

Key Player: Lionel Messi should be a lock here, but Villa is the key here. Messi scored 50 goals but after that the next highest total was the 12 from Sanchez. Villa needs to come back as his older self to take off pressure from Messi and also force teams to rethink how they will not only cover Messi but him as well. If he has a strong season, a Messi-Villa combination would be lethal.

Prediction: Like I said in the Real Madrid preview, it could be a coin flip but Barcelona's depth gives them a slight edge. Messi scores 40 goals, Villa pitches in with 30-35.

Full Schedule: