BARCELONA VS. RUBIN KAZAN- MESSI EXPECTED TO START

Russian outfit Rubin Kazan host Spanish giants Barcelona tonight in what may prove to be a rather interesting encounter
Barcelona were stung by Rubin Kazan last year, and fear further humiliation if they fail to take the right approach into tomorrow's Group D encounter
The Russian XI last year pulled off probably the shock of the tournament in 2009 by beating Barcelona 2-1 at the Nou Camp, followed by a home draw in Kazan
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique clearly understands the importance of tonight's clash, warning that failure against the Russian title winners "cannot happen again".
Barcelona would have also been lifted at the news that Lionel Messi could be fit to face Rubin.
Barcelona started their Champions League campaign with an emphatic 5-1 win over Greek giants Panathinaikos, and will be looking to build upon this tonight, against a side that were beaten 1-0 by Copenhagen in their last Champions League encounter.
William Hill have Barcelona well placed at 1.61, with Rubin Kazan at 5.5. These are good odds and a nice little earner if backing Barcelona.
If Lionel Messi is to be deemed fit, as is believed, he will start the game as odds on favourites to open the scoring at 1.73. However the pick for me is in form Spanish striker David Villa at 1.91 to score at anytime
 Despite Barcelona’s emphatic first round victory, the bookies are hedging that the Russian outfit will provide a lot more of a challenge than previous Greek opposition this evening.
A 1-0 win is favoured at 6.5, with a 2-0 margin at 8.0. With Messi and Villa on the field one would feel that a 4-0 win might very well be on the cards here at a phenomenal 26.0 even!
Betting Tip: Villa to score for Barcelona at 1.91