Barcelona will be looking to wrestle top spot from FC Copenhagen in Wednesday's Champions League encounter.
Barca without Valdes; Nordstrand could feature for Danes
Barcelona will be looking to wrestle top spot from FC Copenhagen when the two teams lock horns in their UEFA Champions League encounter on Wednesday.
Copenhagen have been one of the surprise packages in this year's competition and currently stand top of the pile in Group D after beating Rubin Kazan and Panathinaikos.
Barcelona have failed to dazzle in Europe so far and were held in Russia last time out as Pep Guardiola's side could only muster a 1-1 draw with Rubin to follow the opening win over Panathinaikos.
Stale Solbakken's side head to the Camp Nou in fine spirits after extending their unbeaten run in their domestic league to 12 games and the Danes are one of six teams yet to concede after two matches in the Champions League.
Barca, meanwhile, have been struggling to stamp their authority in La Liga and currently trail rivals Real Madrid in the standings, despite beating fellow challengers Valencia at the weekend.
And the Spanish giants will be keen to send out a message to their European rivals in midweek as they look to get their hands back on the trophy they won in 2009.
Team-news
Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes is sick and will miss the Champions League match against Copenhagen
The Spain international was suffering from fever and vomiting and is set to be replaced in the starting XI by second-choice keeper Jose Manuel Pinto, who will make his debut in Europe's elite club competition
Xavi is also a doubt for Wednesday's clash in Catalunya with a nagging Achilles tendon injury.
The World Cup winner played for the first time since the draw with Rubin Kazan in the league match against Valencia but the midfielder may have to settle for a place the bench with Javier Mascherano likely to step in.
Central defender Gabriel Milito will definitely miss the Copenhagen game after he damaged a thigh muscle in training on Monday, while forward Pedro is still recovering from a hamstring injury
Solbakken has Morten Nordstrand back in full training for Copenhagen but the Danish forward has not played since March after picking up thigh and groin injuries while on loan at FC Groningen.
Solvi Ottesen has also been on the sidelines and has not featured since breaking his arm last month, while Martin Bergvold's knee injury looks set to keep him out of the visit to the Camp Nou.
