FC Barcelona vs Sevilla La Liga Match Preview, Team News and Prediction
FC Barcelona host Sevilla on matchday 8 of La Liga at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. The table toppers will aim get a comfortable win after drawing against Mallorca this mid-week.
Xavi’s side have not been up to the mark in the last two games. The Catalan club made a comeback and won the game 3-2 against Celta Vigo in the weekend. Furthermore, in the mid-week clash against Mallorca, the La Liga champions had to settle for a draw after individual mistakes from the players.
Defensively, Barcelona are not as good as they were last season. However, they are playing a game in every three days, so due to heavy rotations the team suffers on the pitch. A win against Sevilla will be important, as they face an away trip to Porto in the Champions League.
Visitors Sevilla had a very difficult start to the new season as they lost their opening three games against Las Palmas, Alaves and Girona. However, after the international break they have managed to turn things around.
The Europa League winners managed to get a 0-0 draw against Osasuna this weekend, but they hammered Almeria 5-1 this mid-week. In the Champions League, they managed to get a draw against Lens. They will face PSV and Arsenal next in the group stage.
Last season, Barcelona managed to beat Sevilla 3-0 in both ties. A similar score line is expected this weekend.
FC Barcelona team news
Pedri is close to recovering from his injury but will miss out on this clash. Frenkie de Jong will also be unavailable for this clash. Moreover, Xavi will start his strongest XI after resting some key players against Mallorca.
So, Lewandowski and Jules Kounde will return to the 11, with Inigo Martinez and Ferran Torres likely to be benched. Andreas Christensen may also be benched after Araujo’s return.
Sevilla team news
The visitors have a lengthy list of injured players, with Oliver Torres, Mariano Diaz, Marcos Acuna, Marcao, Tanguy Nianzou and Alfonso Pastor all on the sidelines.
Jose Luis Mendilibar will most likely use the same line-up that beat Almeria 5-1 this mid-week. Sergio Ramos, Ivan Rakitic and En-Nesyri will get the notch in the starting XI again.
FC Barcelona vs Sevilla Predicted line-ups
FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Nyland; Navas, Bade, Ramos, Pedrosa; Sow, Rakitic; Suso, Lamela, Lukebakio; En-Nesyri
Prediction
FC Barcelona 3-1 Sevilla
Seeing how teams are making Barcelona uncomfortable, Sevilla will try to do the same by taking advantage of their high-line. Moreover, after settling for a draw last game, the Catalan giants will look to get back in form by beating Sevilla.
