Malaga vs Barcelona - Lionel Messi available as Barcelona seek to reclaim top spot in Primera Division

Posted Saturday, January 23, 2016 by PA

Barcelona can return to first place in the Primera Division with victory at Malaga on Saturday night.

They trail leaders Atletico Madrid by two points, albeit with a game in hand, and three points would put greater pressure on Atletico to defeat Sevilla on Sunday.

Saturday's fixture is Barca's first of three in seven days, the last of which is at home to Atletico on January 30, although manager Luis Enrique will be positive at Lionel Messi's return to fitness following a hamstring injury.

"Messi and (defender Jeremy) Mathieu have recovered," he said. "In theory there is no reason they can't play."

Luis Suarez, who like Messi missed Wednesday's 2-1 Copa del Rey win at Athletic Bilbao, could also return, the importance of which cannot be underestimated with Malaga an improving team.

Before losing 2-1 at Sevilla, where Barca and Real Madrid have also lost this season, Malaga had won four and drawn one of their previous five fixtures. The normally-prolific Barca, incidentally, had only scored once against them in their most recent 270 minutes of football.

Malaga have scored only 15 goals in 20 games, however, and will have been weakened by Nordin Amrabat's transfer to Watford.

"It's one of the more difficult games for us," Enrique added. "They've always generated chances, and when we try to attack we have to be ready. For us, this match is vital, to keep depending on ourselves in the league.

"Their coach, Javi Garcia, is meticulous with detail, he knows what can affect our play, and they've always created problems for us. It's going to keep being the same way.

Malaga's recent run has taken them up to mid-table - victory over Barca could lead them into Spain's top 10.