Third-placed Barcelona will look to make it three wins in a row in La Liga when they hit the road to square up against Sevilla.
12th-placed Sevilla will look to return to winning ways when they host title challengers Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Sunday evening.
The home team have only accumulated 28 points in their 22 outings, which is why they are in the bottom half of the table. But, they are only seven points behind sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano with a game in hand. As a result, there is still some hope for them to secure a European spot.
However, Sevilla have to put together a run of positive results if they want to stay in the mix. The Andalusian outfit have been unbeaten in their last four outings, but they have only won one of those fixtures and are heading into this one on the back of a 0-0 draw against Getafe.
Meanwhile, the visitors are third on the table, four points behind league leaders Real Madrid. With the team in white squaring up against second-placed Atletico Madrid on Saturday, Barcelona could certainly have an opportunity to climb up the table.
The Blaugrana are heading into this fixture on the back of consecutive wins in La Liga. In their last outing, Barcelona smashed Valencia 5-0 in the Copa del Rey, and they will be hoping to carry that form into this fixture. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Sevilla
The home team will be without the services of Joan Jordan and Tanguy Nianzou because of injury. Meanwhile, Jose Angel Carmona is suspended for this fixture following a milestone yellow last time out.
Sevilla will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Orjan Nyland should be in goal. The back four should be made up of Juanlu Sanchez, Loic Bade, Nemanja Gudelj, and Adria Pedrosa.
They will look to keep things tight at the back while receiving significant support from the three in front of them. Albert Sambi Lokonga will be the defensive midfielder with Saul Niguez and Djibril Sow in his support on either side. Dodi Lukebakio and Ruben Vargas will provide the width to their attacks, while Isaac Romero will lead the line for Sevilla against Barcelona.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Nyland; Sanchez, Bade, Gudelj, Pedrosa; Saul, Lokonga, Sow; Lukebakio, Romero, Vargas
Barcelona
The visitors remain without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Bernal. Meanwhile, Gavi should return to the starting XI after missing out on their last outing. Dani Olmo and Inigo Martinez could also play a part off the bench.
Hansi Flick will make significant changes to his XI with all his first-team stars making a return. Barcelona will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Wojciech Szczesny will be in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Ronald Araujo will partner with Pau Cubarsi.
As for the midfield unit, Marc Casado and Pedri will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will look to control the tempo of the game and ensure they have the majority of the ball. Gavi will take up the no. 10 role with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha on the flanks. Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the Barcelona attack against Sevilla on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Key Stats
- Sevilla finished 14th last season which was their worst finish since the 1999/2000 season when they got relegated.
- Los Nervionenses are unbeaten in their last four league outings heading into this fixture.
- Sevilla have picked up 18 points in their 11 games at home.
- Meanwhile, Barcelona have the best away record as they have racked up 24 points from their 12 away games.
- The Catalan giants have won each of their last six league games against Sevilla.
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal
At just 17, Yamal has already become one of the most influential players in the Barcelona team. The teenage prospect’s ability to take on defenders, his creativity and his finishing make him the biggest threat to any opposition. The Spanish international already has 25 goal contributions in the ongoing campaign, and he will be looking to add it when he takes the field against Sevilla.
Prediction
Sevilla 0-3 Barcelona
Both teams have had contrasting fortunes so far this season. Barcelona have been in much better overall form, but Sevilla have been unbeaten in their last four La Liga outings, and they won’t go down without a fight.
Barcelona have won their last six league outings against the home team and given the kind of form they have been in, they should get the desired result here. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 3-0 win for the away team.
