Newcomers Real Oviedo face defending champions Barcelona in a midweek Spanish La Liga clash. The hosts have struggled to cope with the quality in the top flight while the Catalans are looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
Real Oviedo are currently 17th in the table, having suffered four defeats from their opening five La Liga matches. Veljko Paunovic's men were beaten 1-0 at Elche in their previous league fixture.
There are some positives for Real Oviedo, who claimed a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in their previous home fixture and will be looking to replicate that performance. However, a 3-0 home defeat to Real Madrid prior to that game suggests they are likely to fall short against the top sides.
Barcelona are still unbeaten this season, with five wins from six matches in all competitions. They eased to a 3-0 home victory over Getafe last time out in the league.
The Catalans have had a few more dominant results this season, like the 6-0 victory over Valencia. Hansi Flick's men have also found a way to maintain their defensive discipline, keeping clean sheets in their last two La Liga matches.
How the bookies view it: Barcelona overwhelming favourites
Barcelona have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 2/9 by BoyleSports to claim the win. An unlikely victory for Real Oviedo is valued at 8/1 while a draw is set at odds of 5/1.
Head to head: Barcelona in control
Barcelona hold the upper hand in this fixture with a 10-4 advantage, with two draws in the last 16 matches. The Catalans, however, suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Real Oviedo in their last meeting back in 2001.
Players to watch: Torres in solid form
Ferran Torres has started the season in blistering fashion, with four goals in five games. The forward netted a brace against Getafe and could be worth keeping an eye on (Ferran Torres anytime goalscorer – priced at 4/5 with BoyleSports).
Barcelona have also maintained a solid defence lately, keeping clean sheets in their last two La Liga matches. Eric Garcia has been a mainstay at the back for the Catalans and can lead the team to another shutout (Barcelona clean sheet – valued at 21/20).
Probable line-ups:
Barcelona will make the trip without Marc-Andre ter Stergen, Gavi and Alejandro Balde due to injuries, while Lamine Yamal is also a doubt, having missed their last three matches. Meanwhile, Frenkie De Jong is set to partner Pedri in midfield, while Marcus Rashford, Raphinha and Torres should start alongside Robert Lewandowski in attack.
Real Oviedo will be missing the trio of David Costas, Oviemuno Ejaria and Alvaro Lemos due to injury, while Federico Vinas should return from suspension. Aaron Escandell is expected to start in goal, with Rahim Alhassane, David Carmo and Nacho Vidal in defence, while Josip Brekalo, Haissem Hassan and Rondo are also set to feature.
Barcelona: Garcia, Kounde, Cubarsi, Garcia, Martin, Pedri, De Jong, Olmo, Raphinha, Rashford, Torres
Real Oviedo: Escandell, Alhassane, Carmo, Calvo, Vidal, Sibo, Dendoncker, Brekalo, Ilic, Hassan, Rondon
Anything else catch the eye?
Barcelona have won by three clear goals in their last two La Liga matches (Barcelona -1 handicap – available at 4/6 on BoyleSports). The champions have scored in both halves in those two fixtures (Barcelona to score in both halves – offered at 3/4).
The Catalans have also won both halves in their last two La Liga matches (Barcelona to win both halves – set at odds of 17/10).
GambleAware