After suffering a defeat at the hands of Shakhtar Donetsk, Barcelona will look to return to winning ways when they square up against Alaves at home.
The Catalan giants started off the new season in fine fashion. They were unbeaten in all competitions, but a lot has changed of late as they have suffered two defeats in their last three matches. While they might not be in the best of forms, Barcelona will look for all three points when they host Alaves.
Xavi’s team are currently third in La Liga with 27 points out of their 12 matches. They have won eight matches and drawn three so far this season. Their only defeat in the league came at the hands of Real Madrid in El Clasico. Barcelona are four points behind league leaders Girona.
After their 2-1 defeat in the Clasico, Barcelona returned to winning ways against Real Sociedad. An injury-time winner by Ronald Araujo helped them claim all three points. But, they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Despite dominating the ball and creating numerous chances, they could not come out on top. However, they will be hoping for a better performance against the visitors, who are currently 14th in the league with 12 points out of their 12 matches. They have won three, drawn three and lost six. Alaves have suffered defeat in half of their league games so far, something that they would surely want to change.
Alaves are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 win over Almeria. They dominated the proceedings, created more chances and ended up coming out on top. While Barcelona will be a much tougher opposition, the visitors will surely push for a positive result. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy in this fixture.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
Xavi Hernandez’s team will be without the services of Sergi Roberto. Gavi is also unavailable because of suspension. Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong’s availability is doubtful.
𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙂𝙊𝘼𝙇𝙎 🆚 𝘼𝙇𝘼𝙑𝙀́𝙎
💥 David Villa 💥#BarçaAlavés pic.twitter.com/fkXPFzKESw— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 11, 2023
The Spanish manager is expected to make quite a few changes to the eleven that started in their last fixture. They will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, where Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be in goal.
In the heart of the defence, Ronald Araujo will pair up with Jules Kounde. The duo will look to keep a clean sheet and they will have the support of Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde, who will feature as the full-backs.
The duo will look to join the attack, but they will first try to ensure things at the back are stable. In the centre of the park, Oriol Romeu will take care of the defensive side of things. Ilkay Gundogan and Fermin Lopez will be there to support the 32-year-old.
Raphinha and Joao Felix will feature on the flanks. The duo will look to provide width to their attacks and even cut inside to their strong foot when the opportunity arises. They will have the support of the dangerous Robert Lewandowski who will be eager to get his name on the scoresheet.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Fermin; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
Alaves
The visitors will be without the services of Aleksandar Sedlar, Carlos Benavidez and Giuliano Simeone. Apart from the trio, everyone else is expected to be available for this fixture.
Un rondo a vista de pájaro 👀
Para volar a un escenario inédito ➡️ Estadi Olímpic Lluís Compayns
¡Ganas de #BarçaAlavés! ⚔️#LALIGAEASPORTS | #GoazenGlorioso ⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/OruZOZz0yl
— Deportivo Alavés (@Alaves) November 11, 2023
With Sedlar out injured, Rafa Marin is expected to make his way into the XI, and he could be their only change from the last outing. Alaves will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Antonio Sivera will be in goal.
Andoni Gorosabel and Javi Lopez will feature as the full-backs in this fixture. In the heart of the defence, Abdel Abqar will have the support of Rafa Marin. The back four will have the huge task of keeping a clean sheet against the Catalan giants.
Meanwhile, Antonio Blanco and Ander Guevara will feature as the double pivot in the centre of the park. They will look to ensure Barcelona do not dominate the proceedings.
Jon Guridi will be the attacking midfielder. He will look to create chances for their number nine and distribute the ball out wide to the wingers Ianis Hagi and Luis Rioja. The duo will look to provide the width to their attacks and supply balls for Kike Garcia, who will lead the line for Alaves against Barcelona.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sivera; Gorosabel, Abqar, Marin, J Lopez; Blanco, Guevara; Hagi, Guridi, Rioja; Kike Garcia
Key Stats
- Barcelona have lost two out of their last three matches in all competitions.
- The Catalan giants have the third-best attack (24 goals scored) as well as defence (12 goals conceded) in the league.
- Alaves have scored only ten goals in their 12 league outings, they are the joint lowest-scoring team in the division.
- The visitors have only won one out of their last five games in the league.
Player to Watch
Robert Lewandowski
The 35-year-old Polish international was in sensational form last season. His exceptional form in front of the goal was one of the reasons for their dominant run in the league as they ended up clinching the title.
However, things have not been that easy for Lewandowski in the ongoing season. He has struggled with an injury and hasn’t been as effective as he was last season. The Polish international still has 10 goal contributions in his 13 outings. He will be eager to get himself on the scoresheet and could end up being the difference between the two teams.
Prediction
Barcelona 3-1 Alaves
The Catalan giants might have lost two out of their last three matches. But they will still be heading into this fixture hoping for a positive result at home. Meanwhile, the visitors have lost half of their league games so far.
Alaves are not in the best of forms and an opposition like Barcelona could prove to be way too much for them. The Hard Tackle predicts a straightforward 3-1 win for the reigning La Liga champions this weekend.
