FC Barcelona: 5 Bold Predictions for Upcoming Spanish League Season

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This Barcelona side will go a long way to improve on the achievements already met by Pep Guardiola. Their moves in the transfer market mean they have added genuine quality to their already sensational side.

But how far can this team go under Guardiola, and what further achievements could be in store for one of the most exciting teams in the modern era?

Messi Will Better His Goal-Scoring Record

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While many thought it would be impossible for Lionel Messi to better his scoring tally for the 2009-10 season. But he did in emphatic fashion last season, scoring over 50 goals.

This upcoming year, it might not be wide off the mark to suggest the Argentine could better that. The key attribute here will be the creativity leant to him by Cesc Fabregas. As one of the best midfielders in Europe, Fabregas will certainly add to the creativity and passing already in the Barca midfield. And while Xavi and Iniesta are out of the team, Fabregas comes in as a ready made replacement to assist Messi in reaching another phenomenal goal-scoring feat.

As a player who truly does want to play in every game, the only thing that may hamper a target of 55-plus goals will be Guardiola’s insistence that Messi be rested. The Barcelona squad are more than capable of managing in the absence of Messi, with forwards Pedro and David Villa helping themselves to 20-plus goals each last season.

Barcelona Will Not Lose to Real Madrid

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Real Madrid have certainly improved on their 5-0 loss to Barca at the beginning of last season. However, they still seem to surround themselves in a lot of controversy whenever a Clasico rolls around.

Yes, Barcelona players will kick up a fuss about fouls, and will no doubt play their part in any on-pitch bust-ups. Yet the champions also seem unfazed by the occasion. They continue to play their brand of football to an extremely high level and manage to break down a very good Madrid team.

With their latest signings, Barca will seem to be an unstoppable force in the league.

Barca Will Further Make Use of Their Impressive Youth Academy

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While the Barcelona squad may the contain some of the world’s best players, it still has an almost endless supply of talent emerging from La Masia.

Pep Guardiola will already know the youth team well, serving as coach before taking over the top job. He has already brought through players such as Pedro and given debuts to Fontas, Jonathan Dos Santos and Marc Muniesa.

These players, who are well versed in the Barca brand of football, never seem fazed when playing alongside first team veterans like Xavi and Puyol.

The impressive youth academy is expected so shine through again this season, with a possible debut for Rafinha Alcantara.

Thiago Will Be a Regular Feature in the Side

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With the impressive performances Thiago put in for Spain at the Euro U-21s and for Barcelona in pre-season, it would be almost irresponsible of Pep Guardiola to hinder his development by ignoring him in favour of his other stars.

It was widely considered that Thiago would move on from the Camp Nou due to the arrival of Fabregas, but Barca made him an offer that ultimately kept him out of the clutches of Europe’s elite.

Again, due to Xavi’s age and his and Iniesta’s injury problems, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see Fabregas line up with Thiago in midfield. The duo likely to man the Barca midfield for many years to come.

Barcelona Will Win the Treble

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With a squad already boasting the World Player of the Year, as well as the two runners-up, how do you go on to better that? You add Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez.

The two new acquisitions will add ready-made options to those already in the Barca starting 11. Cesc will rotate with Xavi and Iniesta and will of course add his own share of goals. To complement that, he has a wealth of experience playing in the Champions League, reaching the final with Arsenal in 2006.

Alexis Sanchez is another who is very much tailor-made to play the Barcelona style. He was Udinese’s talisman last season and knows the pressure of carrying a team. Luckily for him he has the joy of playing with a team that do not need one individual to carry this team forward.  He will be allowed to play his game in the comfort of the rest of the Barca stars while producing to levels we have seen in Italy.

Barcelona have a squad very much capable of battling on three fronts this season, narrowly missing out on back-to-back trebles following their loss in the Copa Del Rey final to Real Madrid last season.