Barcelona braced for triple test against Sevilla

Barcelona began 2010 with a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Villarreal on Saturday and have no respite as they prepare to face Sevilla three times in 12 days.

Holders Barcelona turn their attention to the King's Cup today when they host Sevilla at Camp Nou in the first leg of the last 16 tie.

Pep Guardiola watched on as his side dropped their first home points of the season with the Villarreal draw but Real Madrid failed to capitalise with a 0-0 draw at Osasuna on Sunday to stay two points behind the champions.

"This team have a lot of self belief - this will make us stronger," said Guardiola.

"It was all very tight and neither team dominated the game. The important thing now is to fine tune a few things and get ready for Tuesday's (today's) game."

With Real Madrid already eliminated, Barca have been handed the toughest draw possible in Sevilla although the latter will be low on confidence after losing 2-1 at Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

The two sides will certainly be seeing a lot of each other with the first leg in the cup tonight before the return leg on January 13 in Seville and the two sides also face off in the league at Camp Nou four days later making it three meetings in 12 days.

It is a tall order for Barcelona who only recently jetted to Abu Dhabi for the World Club Championship which they went on to win.

"It is a difficult month for us probably the most complicated month of the year," said Barca forward Thierry Henry.

Barcelona rested Lionel Messi for the Villarreal draw so it will be interesting to see if the Argentine returns today while Andres Iniesta may be ready to start after coming off the bench on Saturday.

Sevilla were victims of a stoppage-time goal as they lost 2-1 at Atletico and have personnel problems with defender Sebastien Squillaci and midfielder Adriano Correia both picking up ankle injuries at the Vicente Calderon.

Didier Zokora, Frederic Kanoute, Luis Fabiano, Federico Fazio, Lautaro Acosta, Javi Varas and Tom de Mul are also unavailable as is Sergio Sanchez who could be out for some time due to a heart condition.

Sevilla last won the King's Cup in 2007 while Barca have won the trophy a record 25 times having beaten Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in last season's final.

LAST 16 (first legs)

Today: Barcelona vs Sevilla.

Tomorrow: Celta Vigo vs Villarreal; Alcorcon vs R. Santander; Valencia vs Deportivo; Rec. Huelva vs A. Madrid.

Thursday: Hercules vs Osasuna; R. Vallecano vs Mallorca; Malaga vs Getafe.