Sevilla vs Barcelona predictions, H2H and match preview for this Friday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as the Catalans face a real test at the RSP in possibly the biggest game since the restart.
by Mark Sochon (@marksoc1)
Sevilla vs Barcelona Preview
There’s a cracking game on Friday night in La Liga as Barcelona face a huge test of their title credentials as they travel to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to take on high-flying Sevilla. With the home team’s passionate fans absent, the Catalans will be hoping it will be easier for them to exert dominance on this game but Julen Lopetegui’s side are more than capable of giving them plenty to think about on the pitch.
Sevilla have been pretty impressive since the resumption of the campaign. They were deserved 2-0 winners in the derby with Betis on the opening night but were denied maximum points by a late Levante goal in their last match. Lopetegui has made a few interesting selections with Munir getting the nod over Suso in the first two games back and so far the former Barcelona man has really repaid the faith with an excellent assist in the last game.
It’s two wins from two for Barcelona although this will be a significantly tougher test than their first two matches following the restart against Mallorca and Leganes. Quique Setien made some attempt to conserve energy levels for this game on Tuesday but perhaps surprisingly Leo Messi has played all 180 minutes of Barcelona’s matches since the resumption, with the Argentine scoring or creating 4 of his team’s 6 goals.
It’ll be interesting to see Setien’s team selection here, particularly in attack. Antoine Griezmann struggled to offer much threat in either match and may find his place under threat from Martin Braithwaite who didn’t feature against Leganes. It will also be the first big test of Luis Suarez’s fitness levels and whether or not Setien feels the Uruguayan is ready to start a game.
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Sevilla vs Barcelona Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Sevilla won’t just park the bus like some teams have had relative success doing against Setien’s Barça. That should open up spaces for Barcelona but it may also expose some of their defensive flaws and this promises to be a really good game with Sevilla boasting sufficient quality to test the Catalans. A score draw looks a likely outcome.
Sevilla vs Barcelona Betting Tips (18+)
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Sevilla vs Barcelona H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 5 Barcelona Wins, 1 Sevilla Win.
- Barcelona were 4-0 winners at Camp Nou when they met earlier this term despite having 2 men sent off.
- The Catalans were also 4-2 winners here last term and have won on 3 of their last 4 trips to the RSP.
- The exception was a 2-0 defeat in the Copa del Rey here last term but Barcelona still won the tie.
Predicted Line Ups
Sevilla Team:
Vaclik – Navas, Diego Carlos, Koundé, Reguilón – Fernando, Gudelj, Óliver Torres – Munir, De Jong, Ocampos (4-3-3)
Barcelona Team:
Ter Stegen – Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Alba – De Jong, Busquets, Arthur – Messi, Suarez, Griezmann (4-3-3)
We have match previews for every game in La Liga between now and the end of this season.
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