Barcelona dey look to jump to the top of La Liga table as dem continue domestic campaign for home against Alaves on Saturday afternoon. Hansi Flick side dey second, one point behind leaders Real Madrid, while Alaves dey 14th with 15 points from 13 matches.
Match Preview
Last weekend, Barcelona celebrate return to Camp Nou with 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, but dem crash against Chelsea on Tuesday night as Blues run 3-0 for Stamford Bridge. The defeat na major setback for Flick side.
Barcelona dey 18th for overall Champions League table with seven points from five matches. For La Liga, dem don win last three games against Elche, Celta Vigo and Athletic since 2-1 loss to Real Madrid on October 26.
Barcelona get three straight league games before next Champions League match: Alaves, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis. Game against Eintracht Frankfurt later na must-win for them.
Historically, Barcelona don win 35 of 49 previous matches against Alaves, including 1-0 last season. Alaves haven’t beaten Barcelona since September 2016, though dem shock Camp Nou that year 2-1.
Alaves have four wins, three draws and six losses from 13 matches, 15 points keep dem four above 18th-placed Girona. They finished 15th last season and still dey work to improve. Fresher legs from Eduardo Coudet’s side fit cause problems if Barcelona still dey recover from Champions League hangover.
Form Guide
Barcelona La Liga: LWLWWW
Barcelona All Competitions: LWDWWL
Alaves La Liga: WDLWLL
Alaves All Competitions: DLWWLL
Team News
Barcelona go still miss Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Gavi due to injury. Pedri don return and fit get minutes second half. Marcus Rashford fit start for Robert Lewandowski, while Eric Garcia replace Ronald Araujo for defence. Dani Olmo fit start for Fermin Lopez, who dey out with muscle problem.
Alaves go miss Facundo Garces (suspension) and Nikola Maras (long-term knee injury). Calebe dey assess after knock, decision fit come Friday. Carlos Vicente don score five goals with two assists, likely start in attack.
Barcelona Possible Starting XI
J Garcia; Kounde, E Garcia, Cubarsi, Balde; De Jong, Casado; Yamal, Olmo, Rashford; Torres
Alaves Possible Starting XI
Sivera; Otto, Tenaglia, Pacheco, Yusi; Vicente, Blanco, Suarez, Alena; Martinez, Boye
We Say: Barcelona 3-1 Alaves
Alaves fit make game tough and score one goal, but Barcelona quality for attack go give them the three points comfortably this weekend.
