Reigning champions Barcelona are set to face off against Sevilla in an exhilarating La Liga encounter.
This highly anticipated match will take place at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Friday evening.
Match Preview
Both teams are eager to secure a victory and improve their standings in the league.
Barcelona entered the previous match against Mallorca on a six-game winning streak across all competitions.
Despite their best efforts, they were held to a 2-2 draw against a determined Mallorca side.
Raphinha and Fermin Lopez scored crucial goals to salvage a point for Barcelona, keeping their unbeaten record intact this season.
Currently sitting on 17 points, Barcelona is placed third on the La Liga table.
Xavi’s side is determined to bounce back with a win before their upcoming Champions League match against Porto.
Playing their home matches at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona has been exceptional this season, securing victories in all four games across various competitions.
They demonstrated their resilience in their last home game against Celta Vigo, coming from 2-0 down to win the match.
Barcelona has shown dominance over Sevilla in recent encounters, winning their last three league games against them.
Their remarkable eight-year unbeaten streak against Sevilla in Spain’s top flight is an impressive feat against a formidable opponent.
Sevilla, although struggling initially, has witnessed an improvement in form recently, going unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions.
After a disappointing 12th-place finish in the previous La Liga season, Sevilla redeemed themselves by winning the Europa League and securing a spot in the Champions League.
They are now just three points behind fifth-placed Atletico Madrid in the league table, showcasing their potential to climb higher.
In their most recent match, Sevilla showcased their attacking prowess with a resounding 5-1 victory over Almeria.
Youssef En-Nesyri, Dodi Lukebakio, Suso, Erik Lamela, and Kike Salas all found the back of the net, instilling confidence in the team.
The upcoming clash against Barcelona will test their mettle, but Sevilla is determined to continue their unbeaten run and secure valuable points.
Team News:
Barcelona will be missing Pedri due to a thigh injury, although his return is imminent, providing a significant boost to the team.
However, Frenkie de Jong is set to be sidelined for six weeks due to an ankle injury sustained in the previous match against Celta.
Head coach Xavi is expected to reintroduce Robert Lewandowski into the starting lineup, while Jules Kounde, Sergi Roberto, and Gerard Pique are likely to feature in the defensive line.
Sevilla, on the other hand, faces several injury concerns. Oliver Torres, Mariano Diaz, Marcos Acuna, Marcao, Tanguy Nianzou, and Alfonso Pastor are all currently sidelined.
Despite these setbacks, Sevilla’s starting XI from their victorious match against Almeria is expected to remain intact.
Sergio Ramos and Ivan Rakitic are likely to make a return, bolstering the team’s experience and leadership.
Predicted Lineups:
Barcelona:
Ter Stegen;
Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde;
Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi;
Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
Sevilla:
Nyland;
Navas, Bade, Ramos, Pedrosa;
Sow, Rakitic;
Suso, Lamela, Lukebakio;
En-Nesyri
Prediction:
Barcelona and Sevilla will undoubtedly provide a thrilling contest.
While Sevilla has the potential to challenge Barcelona, especially after their impressive victory against Almeria, Xavi’s side will be determined to secure all three points.
We predict a closely fought match with Barcelona emerging as the winners by a 2-1 scoreline.
