After a tentative start to the season under new coach Josep Guardiola, Barcelona are flying, having won their last 6 in La Liga; together with 3 Champions’ League wins, they have not dropped a point since September 13th and are 2nd in the league.

Not only have they scored 5 or more goals on four occasions in that run, but they are now defending well and have not conceded for 4 games.

Newly-promoted Malaga have a tough task, but after a poor start to their league campaign, they too are on a winning streak, having won their last 4 in a row; their only win against a top side in that run was an impressive 1-0 victory away to Sevilla in the Andalusian derby (which was Sevilla’s first defeat since April).

Yet Malaga were beaten by league leaders Valencia 0-2 at home earlier in the season and they also lost 0-4 to Atletico; Malaga should find the quality of Barca too much on Saturday evening especially with the Catalans in full swing.

Despite Malaga’s winning run, Barcelona are still big favourites at around $1.40 and that price looks too short to take; instead, it may be worth going for the Barcelona win to nil, priced at $2.50 from Paddy Power, given their strong defensive form.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Barcelona win to nil Odds: $2.50 Stake: 4.5pts Bookies: Paddy Power

Match Betting Previews 1-3 November 2008 >>> Premiership: Chelsea v Sunderland - Everton v Fulham - Man United v Hull - Middlesbrough v West Ham - Portsmouth v Wigan - Stoke v Arsenal - Spurs v Liverpool - WBA v Blackburn - Bolton v Man City - Newcastle v Aston Villa Championship: Cardiff v Wolves La Liga: Malaga v Barcelona - Valencia v Racing - Almeria v Real Madrid Serie A: Juventus v AS Roma - Reggina v Inter - Milan v Napoli Ligue 1: Nancy v Bordeaux - Lyon v Le Mans Bundesliga: Werder v Hertha - Bayern v Arminia