Our Big Game Focus will shed light on one of La Liga’s fixtures of the season as Barcelona hosts Sevilla at Camp Nou.
Barcelona will welcome Sevilla on Saturday in the top of the table clash in La Liga, with a view of edging out the league leaders. La Rojiblancos have not topped the table since 2007 and they could make a huge statement of intent with a win or a draw here.
The Catalans for their part will be desperate for a response following on from their worst league run in over two years. They have gone four league games without a win, a first for them in that period, but Ernesto Valverde’s men remain the team to beat.
The hosts have a great recent record against Sevilla after winning nine of the last ten meetings since the start of 2016. Sevilla have only won one of their last 22 games against Barcelona in La Liga and they will be on a mission to do the impossible. Whether they will succeed is something that we will have to wait and see.
Betting preview
Lionel Messi has scored more league goals against Sevilla than he has against any other side, a total of 24 goals 15 of those at the Camp Nou. He makes an excellent punt for our First Goalscorer market at odds of 2.70 here.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 40 home games in La Liga, but things have not gone according to plan in recent weeks. They will be motivated to play against the league leaders in front of their own fans and odds of 1.34 looks good. You can back that by following this link.
All of Barca’s last five outings in all competitions have seen both teams find the back of the net and the same is true in four of Sevilla’s last five. Back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.45 here.
Team news
Barca’s Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti are out through injury, so Clement Lenglet is set to start in central defence. Sergi Roberto is also expected to be fit to start at right-back while Arthur should keep his place in midfield.
Sergio Escudero and Gabriel Mercado are fit again and they will be available for selection by the visitors. Guilherme Arana could also be preferred over Aleix Vidal, a former Catalan.
Possible lineups
Barcelona: Stegen, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur, Messi, Suarez, Coutinho
Sevilla: Vaclik, Carrico,Kjaer, Gomez, Navas, Banega, Vazquez, Arana, Sarabia, Yedder, Silva