BARCELONA VS. RUBIN KAZAN- MESSI TO START

Spanish giants Barcelona travel deep into the heart of Russia tonight, taking on Russian champions Rubin Kazan in a match up that the Barcelona team will be eager to put away convincingly.
While many might consider this to be a walkover, this Russian XI is the same team that managed to beat Barca 2-1 at the Nou Camp, as well as draw at home to within the space of one season
With that said, Rubin's form this season has been somewhat topsy-turvy.
Rubin Kazan will be without long-term absentee Roman Sharonov (knee) but have been boosted by the return of other first teamers in the forms of Bebars Natcho, Vitali Kaleshin, Carlos Eduardo and Salvatore Bocchetti from injury and illness.
The news on everyone’s mind leading up to tonight is whether or not Lionel Messi will be fit to play, after having picked up an ankle injury two weeks ago.
Rumour is that Messi will play, having travelled and trained with the squad this afternoon
The Catalan giants have been in devastating form in the build-up to this clash, including the demolition of Greek side Panathinaikos 5-1 in their opening clash for Group D
Despite previous slipup ups against the Russian contingent, Bet365 are putting Barcelona as dead on favourites tonight at 1.66
The bookies are not, however, seeing this contest as a walkover predicting it to be a low scoring affair.
William Hill have put a Barcelona win of 1-0 at 6.0, with a 2-0 win not too much better at 2-0
A highly unlikely 2-0 win in favour of Rubin will net odds of 29.0 even
What everyone is wondering on is the goal scorer markets. If Lionel Messi is to run out as expected he is not surprisingly odds on favourites to score at 1.73.
As good as the Argentinean is, I can help but fell that the consistently in-form Spanish striker David Villa is a better pick at 1.91
Villa has been in devastating form on all fronts of late and is definitely worth a punt here
For Rubin, Russian striker Sergei Kornilenko is favoured at a rather long 4.33
This game should be rather entertaining of you are a Barca fan. This is a quality XI, and they are, on paper, probably the strongest side in the tournament.
Barcelona should wrap this one up easily tonight, and once again find themselves heading up the group before the business end of the tournament gets underway.
Betting Tip: David Villa to score at anytime at 1.91