Barcelona-Sevilla is a match for the eighth day of La Liga and is played on Friday at 21:00: line-ups, predictions, TV and streaming.
Three days after the disappointing away draw against Mallorca, Barcelona take to the pitch again in the La Liga Week 8 clash with Sevilla.
Another less than impeccable performance by the Blaugrana in the Balearic Islands: the Spanish champions, whose defence had already creaked last Saturday against Celta Vigo – reeled in in the last 10 minutes thanks to a double from Lewandowski and a goal from new signing Cancelo – were forced to chase down the Rossoneri, who twice took the lead, first through ex-Laziale man Muriqi and then through Prats. Among the best on the pitch was Brazilian Raphinha, author of the momentary 1-1 goal and, finally, of the assist that allowed Fermin Lopez to score the final 2-2. The half-failure cost Real Madrid, who won against Las Palmas in the midweek match, and their Girona cousins, who were surprisingly first on their own, the summit is now two lengths away. For Barça it was the second draw of the season, after the one on the opening day against Getafe. In between, only and exclusively victories: at home the blaugrana have always won, including in the Champions League match against Antwerp.
Sevilla are on the up
Xavi and his men will face a Sevilla side on the upswing, who collected their fourth consecutive result on Tuesday by overwhelming a hapless Almeria side 5-1.
Lukebakio
On only one occasion – the 4-3 defeat to Alaves – had the Andalusians managed to score more than two goals this season. Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side are putting their difficult start behind them – Sevilla had lost their first three La Liga games against Valencia, Alaves and Girona – and thanks to their resounding success in the regional derby they have climbed to 12th position, still a long way from the European zone (but with a game to spare). Mendilibar will inevitably make a few changes from the Almeria match, not least because there is a must-win match against Psv Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday: Juanlu and Sergio Ramos will play in defence, while Rafa Mir should give En-Nesyri a rest up front. Barcelona will be without the injured Pedri and de Jong.
The prediction
Barcelona have always got the better of Sevilla in their last three fixtures, and the Andalusians have failed to beat the Blaugrana for eight years. Xavi’s side have given no quarter at home and are likely to do so again, but whether they keep their goals unbeaten remains to be seen, and it is not impossible that the visitors will score at least one goal.
Barcelona v Sevilla likely line-up
- BARCELONA (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Cancelo, Koundé, Christensen, Baldé; Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix.
- SEVILLE (4-2-3-1): Nyland; Juanlu, Badé, Sergio Ramos, Pedrosa; Sow, Rakitic; Ocampos, Suso, Lukebakio; Rafa Mir.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
