The 22 men who will contest the biggest prize in club football

Last Wednesday, our friends in the Spanish press kindly revealed the starting line-ups for tonight’s Champions League final.

We may have chuckled at their startling clairvoyance, but they probably weren’t far off naming the 22 players who will be on the pitch for kick-off. The only change comes in the Barcelona left-back position: the Spanish favoured Seydou Keita over Sylvinho, probably on the basis that he has played more games. The Malian, however, has reacted to the propsect of playing out of position in the fashion of a big girl’s blouse, so we now believe ex-Arsenal star Sylvinho will start ahead of him.

Spanish press claim teams have already been decided

If you thought you were going to have to wait until next Wednesday to find out the starting line-ups for the Champions League final, you were quite wrong: our amigos in the Spanish press have peered into the future, and brought the teams back to the present for your consideration.

AS claim Pep Guardiola has already settled upon his formation, with the only debate being the left-back position. They believe Seydou Keita will be played out of position over Sylvinho and Martín Cáceres, but fail to give a reason (we suspect it is because he has played more this season). Crucially, none of the players in the starting line-up will face Osasuna at the weekend, and no one in la Liga will threaten to sue them.

Meanwhile, the folks at Sport have published an article entitled ‘Ferguson already has the eleven that will face the Barça in Rome’, and in it they reveal that Nani and Paul Scholes will be joined on the bench by Carlitos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov. Apparently, they will play with Cristiano Ronaldo up front on his own, much like he did in the semi-final at The Emirates.

Do you believe the Spanish press’ assertions, or should they leave the predictions to Mark Lawrenson and Nostradamus? Let us know your thoughts below…

Chelsea/Barcelona, UCL Semi-Final 2nd Leg, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 2

The Spoiler’s Pick

Here’s how we think Goose should line them up tonight. Mikel John Obi has played recently and done well, so perhaps there is potential for him to start instead of Anelka, with either Lampard or Essien moving to the right. However, the surly Frenchman looked on top form at the weekend, and proved that he isn’t wasted on the right when he came off the bench against Liverpool, setting up two goals that completely swung the tie in Chelsea’s favour.

Let us know your starting line-ups below…