Barcelona will aim to keep momentum with their excellent start to the season as they visit a struggling Sevilla side looking to kick start their campaign.
Julen Lopetegui will look at solutions to improve Sevilla’s immediate fortunes after a difficult start to their season. Having finished the last three seasons in the top four, the club have not started the campaign on the right note, securing just a single point from their opening three games.
It’s not easy to put the ‘strugglers’ tag on Lopetegui’s side just yet as it’s so early in the season, but Sevilla need to prove their worth immediately. However, their luck seems unfortunate as they take on early flyers Barcelona at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Moreover, they will face Manchester City to kick start a tricky Champions League group, as there’s a busy schedule ahead. Sevilla have not beaten Barcelona since October 2015, but they will take confidence from their previous encounter at the venue, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Barcelona have seen a revival in fortunes since last January when the team did not look sure to make the top four. They did finish in Champions League places, and after a great summer with the acquisition of quality stars, the Catalans will be full of optimism to regain a foothold in the new campaign.
Xavi Hernandez has steered Barcelona to an unbeaten start to the season, winning two and drawing one. They will be keen on a third successive victory in the League and then focus on their rather tricky group in the Champions League next week.
Barcelona’s main aim would be to keep tabs on the development of the teams above them on the table. They will be optimistic about getting ahead of Real Betis, but the actual challenge lies much further with Real Madrid, who sits at La Liga’s summit.
Team News & Tactics
Sevilla
Lopetegui will have to contend with a few absentees in the squad. Jesus Corona and Marco are unavailable for the home game with Barcelona, while the game will come too soon for new arrival Adnan Januzaj.
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— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) September 1, 2022
Marcos Acuna is back from suspension and will likely replace Alex Telles at left-back, while Thomas Delaney could come into a midfield three. Meanwhile, Karim Rekik is doubtful about the clash, which could open up an opportunity for 20-year-old Jose Carmona in defence.
Lopetegui can call upon some quality options from the bench with players like Isco, Suso, and Ivan Rakitic. Fernando, Delaney, and Oliver Torres are expected to form the midfield trio.
Lopetegui will go with a front three of Erik Lamela and Papu Gomez on either flank, with Rafa Mir leading the line for Sevilla against Barcelona.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Bono; Navas, Rekik, Nianzou, Acuna; Torres, Fernando, Delaney; Lamela, Mir, Gomez
Barcelona
With the madness of the transfer window now behind Barcelona, Xavi can lend his focus towards tactical stability and consistent squad selection with the players he has. The manager’s target will be to stabilise his defensive ranks, and with the availability of Jules Kounde, the options are far brighter.
Preparati? for the game against Sevilla pic.twitter.com/jT5GHuWW3O
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 2, 2022
Kounde started against Real Valladolid and will continue in the team, although he will start at right-back as he did in the last game. Andreas Christensen has also recovered from an illness, but Xavi will prefer to continue with Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia in central defence.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Balde will make way for the more experienced Jordi Alba at left-back despite the youngster performing admirably in recent games. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is firmly settled in goal.
Sergio Busquets will anchor the midfield, with Gavi and Pedri on either side of the established figurehead. Meanwhile, Xavi’s frontline seems evident with Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele taking charge of wing roles, with Robert Lewandowski, the undisputed leader of the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Garcia, Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Dembele
Key Stats
- Sevilla have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 7 matches against Barcelona in all competitions.
- Sevilla are undefeated in 21 of their last 22 home matches in La Liga.
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Sevilla’s last 4 home games in La Liga.
- Barcelona are undefeated in 32 of their last 35 matches against Sevilla in all competitions.
- Barcelona are undefeated in their last 16 away matches in La Liga.
Player to Watch
Robert Lewandowski
Four goals in three games is the kind of start to life one would expect from Lewandowski. The Poland international has taken La Liga by storm, and everyone will be hoping to see him banging in the goals this season.
The departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will also place the spotlight on Lewandowski, with only Memphis Depay considered as a backup. The Polish star needs to prove a point and lead the Catalan club’s charge for the rest of the season, starting with an important game such as this one against Sevilla.
Prediction
Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona
Taking all factors into account since the start of this La Liga season, Sevilla’s form has been terrible, and they may need some time and reprieve to stabilise things. The forthcoming games against Barcelona and Man City may not allow them to do that, so that another loss could be on the cards.
Barcelona are looking like a force once more under the tutelage of Xavi and with the right players in their squad. This is a growing team, and having started the season so well, they will be keen to avoid any slip-ups. Expect a victory for Barcelona as they continue their march for supremacy this campaign.