As the La Liga leaders, Barcelona aim to secure their ninth domestic victory of the season when they host Sevilla at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Sunday night. Under the management of Hansi Flick, Barcelona has amassed 24 points from their first nine games, while Sevilla sits in 12th place with just 12 points.
Team Form
Barcelona has faced significant injury challenges this season, yet their strong start is commendable. With eight wins and just one loss, they lead the league, showcasing the best attack with 28 goals scored. Their only setback came against Osasuna, where they suffered a surprising 4-2 defeat. However, they bounced back impressively, thrashing Young Boys 5-0 in the Champions League and securing a 3-0 victory over Alavés in La Liga.
Key players include Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 10 goals in nine league appearances, and rising star Lamine Yamal, who continues to shine. Barcelona’s upcoming fixtures are crucial, with a Champions League clash against Bayern Munich and the highly anticipated El Clásico against Real Madrid on the horizon.
In recent encounters, Barcelona has dominated Sevilla, winning their last five meetings. The last time Sevilla triumphed over Barcelona in La Liga was back in October 2015, and they’ve only secured one league victory against the Catalan giants since March 2007.
On the other hand, Sevilla is trying to rebound from a disappointing 2023-24 campaign that saw them finish 14th. Now under Garcia Pimienta, they’ve gathered 12 points from nine games this season. Sevilla comes into this match in decent form, having collected seven points from their last three outings, including a 1-0 win in the Seville derby against Real Betis.
Team News
Barcelona will be without key players Ferran Torres, Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen, and Ronald Araújo. However, Lewandowski and Yamal trained on Thursday and are expected to be in the squad. Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and Dani Olmo are recovering but may not start.
For Sevilla, injuries will sideline Saul Niguez and Djibril Sow, while Tanguy Nianzou is suspended. Kike Salas is likely to step in, while Isaac Romero will continue as the centre-forward, with Peque Fernandez playing the number 10 role.
Predicted Lineups
Barcelona:
- Inaki Pena; Jules Kounde, Cubarsi, Iñigo Martinez, Alejandro Balde; Casado, Eric Garcia, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha
Sevilla:
- Orjan Nyland; Jose Angel Carmona, Bade, Salas, Pedrosa; Lucien Agoume, Nemanja Gudelj; Dodi Lukebakio, Fernandez, Ejuke; Isaac Romero
Prediction
Historically, Barcelona has had the upper hand in this matchup, and given their strong performance in La Liga this season, it’s hard to envision a scenario where they drop points. While Sevilla is improving, Barcelona’s excellence suggests a comfortable victory for Flick’s side.
