Football betting experts were denied an easy prediction as FC Barcelona recorded a surprising loss to Getafe last weekend. They came back on track with an impressive performance mid-week against Rayo Vallecano winning easily 4-0. It will be important to keep the momentum rolling going into a midweek Champions League match up against BATE Borisov followed by the monsterous clash against Real Madrid.

As we approach the midpoint of the season it is important that Barcelona do not suffer the same fate as they did against Getafe on Saturday. They currently sit three points behind Real Madrid though Madrid has a match in hand. If I were a betting man I would I would trust the Guardiola has his men properly motivated as they near El Clasico.

For Barcelona they will be without the services of Adriano who a hamstring injury against Rayo on Tuesday and doctors confirmed on Wednesday that the Brazilian would be out for five to seven days.

Also out for Guardiola will be Gerard Pique who looked to have intentionally got booked against Rayo to avoid the possibility of missing the Real Madrid match.  So look for Mascherano in the center back position with the possibility of Busquets to be next to him.

It is unknown if Carles Puyol will get the start at center back as his health has been a big concern this season and Guardiola may rest him to guarantee that he is ready for next weekends El Clasico.

The good news for FC Barcelona is that Alexis Sanchez looks to be getting back to the form that Barcelona expected when they signed the Chilean before he went down to injury earlier in the season.  Alexis scored a brace on Tuesday against Rayo with the first coming off a brilliant curling shot that was placed perfectly off the post.

For Levante they find themselves well in the hunt for European action next season sitting in fourth place on 26 points having come off a dominating 4-0 performance against Sporting Gijon.  They have shown that they are not a club to be taken lightly having already beaten Real Madrid at home in week three of La Liga 1-0.

Head coach Juan Ignacio Martinez will be looking to exploit a Barcelona backline that will be without the services of Pique and possibly Puyol with the combination of forward Arouna Kone and left winger Juanlu.

Although Levante are in the top five of La Liga they just recently ended a three game losing streak before with their victory over Sporting and they are visting the Camp Nou where the blaugrana have not lost this season.

Match prediction: FC Barcelona 2 Levante 0