Barcelona are aiming to bounce back from defeat in the UEFA Champions League when they travel to Sevilla for a Spanish La Liga clash on Sunday. The Catalans remain unbeaten in the league while the hosts have been unconvincing at home this season.
Sevilla are showing some good form at the moment and come into this clash unbeaten in four of their last five La Liga matches. They claimed a 1-0 victory at Rayo Vallecano in their previous fixture, with Akor Adams’ late effort proving the difference.
It has been a strange campaign for Sevilla, who seem to do their best work on the road, while struggling on home soil. Matias Almeyda's men are winless in their three home matches this season, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Villarreal in their previous fixture at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Barcelona are coming off their first defeat of the season as they fell 2-1 at home to PSG in the UEFA Champions League. They struck first through Ferran Torres but were pegged back by the defending champions.
Manager Hansi Flick will be targeting a swift return to winning ways as Barcelona are unbeaten in La Liga this season. They have won six of their seven league matches so far and picked up a 2-1 home victory over Real Sociedad last time out.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Barcelona
Barcelona have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 2/5 by BoyleSports to claim the win. Sevilla are considered outsiders at odds of 9/2, while a draw is valued at 7/2.
Head to head: Barcelona in control
Barcelona have a 42-8 advantage, with 12 draws in the last 62 matches against Sevilla. The Catalans claimed a 4-1 away victory in last season’s visit to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Players to watch: Eyes on Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski remains the danger man for Barcelona, having scored four La Liga goals this season. The striker has also found the net four times in the last three matches against Sevilla and will be the one to watch (Robert Lewandowski anytime goalscorer – available at 5/6 with BoyleSports).
Isaac Romero often leads the line for Sevilla and has found the net twice this season. The forward will be the one to watch (Isaac Romero anytime goalscorer – offered at odds of 5/2).
Probable line-ups:
Sevilla are without Tanguy Nianzou, Alfonso Gonzalez and Joan Jordan, who are all sidelined with injury. Romero should lead the line once again, while Fabio Cardoso is set to continue at the back.
Raphinha is ruled out for Barcelona due to injury, while Lamine Yamal, Gavi and Fermin Lopez are also sidelined. Lewandowski was a second-half substitute in the Champions League and should return to the starting line-up, while Pau Cubarsi should continue in defence.
Sevilla: Vlachodimos, Marcao, Cardoso, Azpilicueta, Carmona, Agoume, Mendy, Suazo, Sanchez, Romero, Vargas
Barcelona: Szczesny, Balde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde, De Jong, Pedri, Torres, Olmo, Rashford, Lewandowski
Anything else catch the eye?
Barcelona have earned a win and over 2.5 goals in four of the last five matches against Sevilla (Barcelona win & over 2.5 goals – priced at 20/23 with BoyleSports). The visitors have scored in both halves in their last three matches against Sevilla (Barcelona to score in both halves – offered at 20/21).
The last three matches between Barcelona and Sevilla have produced over 1.5 goals in the first half (First half over 1.5 goals – set at odds of 7/10).
GambleAware