Sevilla will look to end their three-match losing streak when they host Barcelona on Sunday night in the final league fixture of the season.
Barcelona will look to make it four wins in a row when they hit the road to square up against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. The Catalan giants will look to give Xavi a fitting farewell who will be taking charge in his final game after being sacked by the club.
While an impressive run in the second half of the season did see Sevilla jump out of the relegation battle, they have not done enough to finish in the top half of the table. They are currently 13th, and a win here could see them climb a few places, although it won’t have a big enough impact.
Their focus will be on ending their losing streak. They have lost their last three league games (against Athletic Club, Cadiz & Villarreal), and a win here against the Catalan giants will be the best way to end the season on a high.
The visitors might have failed to defend the La Liga title. But they have secured a second-place finish heading into the final fixture of the season. Barcelona have been much better in the second half of the season than they were in the first, and a win here could help them end the season on a high.
To everyone’s surprise, Xavi has been sacked but is expected to lead them in this final fixture. With his departure certain, he will look to leave on a high with another win. They have won each of their last three league games and will be confident of making it four in a row. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Sevilla
Sevilla will be without the services of Oliver Torres, Isaac Romero, Djibril Sow, Erik Lamela and Nemanja Gudelj. Jesus Navas, Lucas Ocampos, and Marcos Acuna failed to take part in full training during the week. While Ocampos and Acuna should be fit for this one, Naves is a major doubt for this one along with Suso.
Meanwhile, they do have a boost as Boubakary Soumare is back after missing out on the last outing due to suspension. The home team will go ahead with the 3-4-3 formation, where Orjan Nyland will be in goal. In the heart of the defence, former Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos will take charge alongside Loic Bade and Kike Salas.
The back three will receive some support from Juanlu Sanchez and Marcos Acuna, who will feature as the wing-backs. In the centre of the park, Boubakary Soumare and Lucien Agoume will look to control the tempo. Lucas Ocampos and Dodi Lukebakio will provide width to their attacks, while Youssef En-Nesyri will leading the line for Sevilla against Barcelona.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Nyland; Salas, Bade, Ramos; Sanchez, Soumare, Agoume, Acuna; Lukebakio, En-Nesyri, Ocampos
Barcelona
Gavi, Alejandro Balde, and Frenkie de Jong remain on the sidelines as the Catalan giants prepare for the final fixture of the season. Apart from the trio, everyone else should be available for selection here.
Xavi could make a few changes to his preferred XI in his final game in charge of the club. While he will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, Inaki Pena could start ahead of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in this fixture.
Jules Kounde and Joao Cancelo will be the full-backs for the visitors, while Pau Cubarsi will feature in the heart of the defence alongside Iñigo Martinez. The back four will look for another clean sheet.
Andreas Christensen should be the defensive midfielder, while Pedri and Ilkay Gundogan should be in his support. The trio will look to control the tempo of the game and bring their forwards into the thick of things. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha should be the wingers providing the width to their attacks, while Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the Barcelona attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Cancelo; Pedri, Christensen, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Key Stats
- Barcelona have each of their last three league games.
- Sevilla have won four out of their six home games in the league.
- The Catalan giants have won each of their last four games against Sevilla without conceding a goal.
- Sevilla have lost each of their last three league fixtures heading into this one.
- Xavi’s team have the 3rd best attack in the division with 77 goals scored in their 37 outings.
Player to Watch
Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski might not have been at his best in the middle phase of the season, but he seems to have returned to his best in the second half. The 35-year-old Polish international has scored 18 goals and also had eight assists in his 34 league outings this season. He will be eager to add to his tally on the final day of the season when he squares up against Sevilla.
Prediction
Sevilla 0-3 Barcelona
Sevilla have been on a losing streak heading into this fixture, while Barcelona have been on a winning streak. The Catalan giants will be looking to give Xavi the best possible farewell and three points along with a clean sheet could be the ideal way to say goodbye to their legend.
In the recent past, Sevilla have found things difficult against the Catalan giants, and something similar might take place this time as well. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for the visitors.
