La Liga leaders Barcelona will look to ensure they retain the top spot with a win when they host Sevilla on Sunday night.
Barcelona will look to secure their ninth win of the new campaign while Sevilla will look to build on the win they secured in their last outing when the two teams meet at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
The Catalan giants have a three-point lead at the top of the table thanks to eight wins and a loss in their nine outings. They might not be unbeaten but it surely has been a sensation start to the new campaign under new boss Hansi Flick.
Despite all the injuries, they have made a flying start and having won 3-0 in their last outing against Deportivo Alaves, Barcelona will look to make it consecutive wins in the league when they face Sevilla.
Meanwhile, the visitors have had a mixed start to the 2024/25 campaign as they find themselves 12th on the points table with 12 points in their nine outings thanks to three wins, three draws and as many defeats.
The positive for them is they haven’t lost in their last three outings, winning two of those fixtures. Sevilla are heading into this one on the back of a 1-0 win over Real Betis. While it wasn’t their best performance, it will give them the hope that they can upset the league leaders. The Hard Tackle takes a close look a both teas and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
Hansi Flick will remain without the services of Marc Bernal, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, and Andreas Christensen.
Barcelona should have a massive boost as Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and Gavi are expected to be back in the squad. They should play a part in this fixture as Flick gears up for his first El Classico as Barca’s boss.
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski who both picked up knocks during the international break are expected to be fully fit and they should feature from the start.
While Wojciech Szczęsny is ready to feature, he might still have to wait for his first appearance as a Barcelona player.
The home team will line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Inaki Pena in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde should continue as full-backs while Inigo Martinez should partner Pau Cubarsi in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Eric Garcia should start alongside Pedri and Marc Casado. The trio will not only look to control the tempo but ensure they have the majority of the ball.
It should be the same front three that have been in red-hot form all season long. They have the best attack in the division and will look to add to their respective tallies. Lewandowski will lead the line with Yamal and Raphinha on the flanks.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Casado, Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Sevilla
The visitors will be without the services of Saul Niguez and Djibril Sow. Meanwhile, Tanguy Nianzou is suspended for this fixture after being sent off in their last fixture. Apart from a forced change, it will most likely be the same XI that started in the game against Betis.
Sevilla will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Barcelona, with Orjan Nyland will feature in between the sticks. Jose Angel Carmona and Adria Pedrosa should be the full-backs, while Loic Bade and Kike Salas should feature in the heart of the defence. The four are up for a tough test given the red-hot form of the home team’s front three.
Lucien Agoumé and Nemanja Gudelj will form the double pivot. They will not only shield the backline but also look to ensure they do not allow Barcelona to dominate the ball too deep in their half.
Dodi Lukebakio and Chidera Ejuke will provide width to their attacks with Peque Fernandez featuring as the number ten in behind Isaac Romero who will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nyland; Carmona, Bade, Salas, Pedrosa; Agoume, Gudelj; Lukebakio, Fernandez, Ejuke; Romero
Key Stats
- Sevilla have lost one out of their last five La Liga games.
- Barcelona have lost to Sevilla just once since March 2007 in La Liga.
- Los Nervionenses have not won away from home against the Catalan giants since 2002.
- The visitors finished 14th last season which was their worst performance since getting relegated back in 2000.
- Barcelona have won each of their last five games against Sevilla.
Player to Watch
Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski did enjoy a phenomenal debut season at the Spanish club but he was not at his best last term. However, the Polish superstar seems to be back at his best since reuniting with Hansi Flick. The Barcelona striker has 12 goals and two assists in his 11 outings across competitions and will be eager to add to his tally against Sevilla.
Prediction
Barcelona 2-0 Sevilla
Barcelona have made a phenomenal start to the new season despite all the injury problems. The Blaugrana are top of the table, and they have a great record against the away team in recent years. Given the kind of mixed start Sevilla have had, they will find it difficult against the European giants. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 2-0 win for the home team.
