Match Preview
Sevilla currently finds themselves in the 11th position within the La Liga standings and has faced some struggles in the early part of this season. However, they showcased their potential in the previous week by delivering a resounding 5-1 victory against Almeria. Sevilla will be eager to replicate such a commanding performance in their upcoming clash.
Meanwhile, Barcelona occupies the third spot in the league table, but they’ve been grappling with inconsistency in recent matches. In their previous game, the Blaugrana had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Mallorca, leaving them with a point to prove in their forthcoming fixture. Under the guidance of Xavi, Barcelona will be striving to regain their winning momentum and strengthen their position in the league.
Team News:
On Tuesday night, Xavi made some tactical adjustments, and it’s likely that he’ll revert to what many consider his strongest lineup, given the available players, come Friday.
Robert Lewandowski is set to take the lead in the forward position, replacing Ferran Torres. Additionally, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen might step in at centre-back, following a challenging performance by Ronald Araujo and Inigo Martinez in the Mallorca match. Oriol Romeu is expected to maintain his spot in the starting lineup for the time being. However, if his form continues to dip, Xavi might consider altering the midfield dynamics.
Notably, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are absent from the roster.
The visiting team is grappling with a lengthy list of injuries, but there’s optimism that these players will gradually return throughout October.
Sevilla will be without Oliver Torres, Tanguy Nianzou, Mariano Diaz, Marcao, Marcos Acuna, and Alfonso Pastor for their journey to Catalonia.
Given his history with Barcelona, José Luis Mendilibar might be tempted to include the polarising figure, Sergio Romas, in Friday’s starting eleven.
Barcelona’s Last 5 Matches Form: DWWWW
Sevilla’s Last 5 Matches Form: WDDDW
Head-to-Head and Key Facts:
Barcelona has had a strong recent track record against Sevilla, emerging victorious in 41 out of their last 63 encounters, while Sevilla has managed only 10 wins.
Barcelona’s defence had been impressive, keeping clean sheets in back-to-back matches across all competitions. However, they’ve conceded four goals in their last two games, resulting in a loss of two valuable points.
Sevilla has shown resilience lately, going unbeaten in their previous four matches in all competitions. Their only recent defeat was a 2-1 loss to Girona in La Liga last month.
Robert Lewandowski has been in exceptional form for Barcelona, finding the back of the net in five of his last six matches across all competitions. Additionally, he has contributed with three assists in La Liga this season.
Sevilla’s 5-1 triumph over Almeria marked their most significant victory margin in all competitions since their 5-0 win against Linares Deportivo earlier in the year.
Match Prediction:
Barcelona’s defence of their title has hit a rough patch in the past week, making their upcoming fixture a crucial one. Players like Joao Felix and Gavi have shown impressive form recently and will need to continue their performance.
On the other side, Sevilla has been in excellent form this season, riding a wave of success. While Barcelona may have the edge on paper as the stronger team, Sevilla will be eager to capitalise on their current momentum.
In this matchup, Barcelona will aim to bounce back and secure a victory, but Sevilla’s resurgent form adds an element of uncertainty to the outcome. It promises to be an exciting and closely contested game.
Best Bet: Barcelona to win or draw
