Ceuta-Barcelona is a match valid for the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey and is played on Thursday at 20:00: predictions, analysis and likely formations.
The Arab expedition has proved fruitful for Barcelona, who can open a new winning cycle from Riyadh. Last Sunday, the blaugrana won their first trophy of the season, the Spanish Super Cup, beating arch-rivals Real Madrid 3-1 in the last act of the Final Four. It was the first victory since Xavi has been on the Catalan club’s bench. But above all, it was the first title of the post-Messi era.
The final result of the match with the Blancos fully reflected the different states of form of the two teams, who are also competing for first place in La Liga. Barcelona were almost always in total control of the match: after seventy minutes of play the game was practically in the archives, with Busquets and his teammates leading by three goals. Benzema’s classic flagship goal, scored in the dying minutes. For Xavi, it was a rematch of the league match, lost by the same scoreline last October. His Barcelona side have bounced back after the Champions League disaster: since the season resumed, the Blaugrana are undefeated, have won four out of five matches in the various competitions and, before flying to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup, have moved within +3 of Real, who fell to a surprise defeat in the away match in Vila-real.
The round of 16 in the Copa del Rey final against Ceuta, who play in the third division, should not be a problem. Xavi, however, learnt his lesson well in the last cup match with little Intercity, in which he only came out on top in extra time at the end of a thrilling 4-3 draw. They will therefore not be in danger of underestimating a team that has already eliminated a Liga club, Elche, despite being last in the table and already almost a goner in their league, with 36 goals conceded.
Rodrigo Rios del Ceuta
The Prediction
On the wings of enthusiasm for the title conquered in the Middle East, Barcelona should get through Ceuta without any problems. The blaugrana are likely to finish ahead in both halves, scoring between three and six goals.
Ceuta-Barcelona’s likely line-up
- CEUTA (4-4-2): Mejías; Macías, Lafarge, Gutiérrez, García; Beltrán, Reina, Cuevas, González; Rodri, Jota.
- BARCELONA (4-3-3): Inaki Peña; Jordi Alba, Koundé, Eric García, Bellerín; Torre, Busquets, Kessié; Depay, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-4
