League leaders Barcelona will look to maintain their lead at the top of the table when they hit the road to face 11th-placed Deportivo Alaves.
Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves both lost their last league outing, and they will be eager to return to winning ways when they face each other in matchday nine of the new La Liga season.
Alaves had made a decent start to the new season, but they have been struggling to get going of late. They have lost three out of their last four league games and are now gearing up to host the league leaders who have been playing some dominating football.
The home team are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Getafe. While they did have more of the ball, they were not good enough in the final third.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s seven-match winning streak in the league came to an end at the hands of Osasuna last time out. Given the kind of start they had under Hansi Flick, not many saw this coming. Despite having the lion’s share of the ball, they could make it count.
But, the Catalan giants did return to winning ways against BSC Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League. They dominated the proceedings and won 5-0 without much difficulty. They will be hoping for much of the same against Alaves. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Deportivo Alaves
Luis Garcia’s team are in excellent shape with Hugo Novoa the only one who is a doubt for this fixture. He could stick with the team that started in their last outing despite the 2-0 loss.
The home team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Antonio Sivera will feature in goal. Nahuel Tenaglia and Moussa Diarra should continue to be the full-backs, while Abdel Abqar and Aleksandar Sedlar should start as the two central defenders.
In the centre of the park, Joan Jordan will form the double pivot with the support of Carlos Benavidez. The duo will look to shield the backline and ensure they have a strong base to try and hit Barcelona on the break.
Carlos Vicente and Carlos Martin will feature on the flanks for the home team with Stoichkov taking up the number ten role. Toni Martinez should continue to lead the attack for Deportivo Alaves against Barcelona.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Sedlar, Diarra; Jordan, Benavidez; Vicente, Stoichkov, Martin; T Martinez
Barcelona
Hansi Flick’s injury problems continue as he is without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez, Gavi, Ronald Araujo, and Andreas Christensen. Inigo Martinez is fit for this outing, while Eric Garcia is back in the mix after missing out on the last fixture because of suspension.
New signing Wojciech Szczęsny has started training with the first team, and he could be in the squad for this fixture. However, the veteran Polish goalkeeper is unlikely to start this fixture. Flick will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, where Inaki Pena will continue in goal.
Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs, while Martinez should pair up with Pau Cubarsi in the heart of the defence. In the centre of the park, Eric Garcia will return to the XI and pattern with Marc Casado and Pedri. The trio will look to control the tempo and ensure they have the majority of the ball.
The in-form duo of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will feature on the flanks. Finally, star striker Robert Lewandowski will continue to lead the line for Barcelona against Deportivo Alaves this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Casado, Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won 24 out of their last 36 outings against Alaves.
- Deportivo Alaves have lost each of their last three games against Barcelona.
- The Catalan giants are unbeaten away from home against Alaves since December 2001.
- The home team last won against Hansi Flick’s team back in September 2016.
- Barcelona have the best attack in the division with 25 goals in eight outings.
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal
Yamal has nine goal contributions (four goals, five assists) in his eight league outings. The teenage sensation might only be 17, but he is already one of their mainstay. The Spanish international is expected to once again start, and he will look to help his team return to winning ways in the league.
Prediction
Deportivo Alaves 0-3 Barcelona
Barcelona returned to winning ways against BSC Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League now they will look to get things back on track and cement their spot at the top of the La Liga table. Alaves, who have lost each of their last two league outings, are going to find it difficult to challenge the visitors. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for the visitors.