Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Indonesia
Nigeria

Preview: Barcelona vs. Sevilla - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 27 September 2023, 09:00
Reigning La Liga champions Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways on Friday evening when they welcome Sevilla to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

The home side, who top the table on 17 points, will enter the contest off the back of a 2-2 draw with Mallorca on Tuesday, while 11th-placed Sevilla recorded a 5-1 win over Almeria on the same night.

Match preview

Barcelona entered Tuesday's clash with Mallorca off the back of a six-game winning run in all competitions, but they were ultimately forced to settle for a share of the spoils against Javier Aguirre's side.

Mallorca twice led on home soil, but Raphinha made it 1-1 late in the first period before Fermin Lopez levelled it at 2-2 in the 75th minute, with Barcelona ensuring that they remained unbeaten this season, boasting a record of five wins and two draws from their first seven games of the 2023-24 La Liga campaign.

Xavi's side are top of the table on 17 points, and they will be aiming to return to winning ways in the league ahead of their second group match in the Champions League away to Porto next week.

Barcelona have adapted impressively to life at their temporary home stadium of Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, winning all four matches in all competitions this season, although they were 2-0 down at home to Celta Vigo last weekend before managing to turn the contest around.

The Catalan side have won each of their last three league games against Sevilla, while they have not lost to Friday's opponents in Spain's top flight for eight years, which is a staggering run against a strong opponent.

Sevilla have found it difficult to get going this season, but there have been steps forward of late, and they will enter this match off the back of a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side have not lost since the 2-1 home reverse to Girona at the end of August, while they have picked up seven points from their last three league matches to rise up the table into 11th.

Sevilla will enter this game off comfortably their best performance of the season, thumping Almeria 5-1 in La Liga on Tuesday, with Youssef En-Nesyri, Dodi Lukebakio, Suso, Erik Lamela and Kike Salas on the scoresheet.

The Europa League holders are now just three points behind fifth-placed Atletico Madrid in the table, which is an indication of how quickly things can change at this stage of the season.

Los Nervionenses finished 12th in La Liga last season - their worst spot since being relegated in 1999-2000 - but they qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, and they will play their second game in the group stage of the European competition away to PSV Eindhoven next week.

Barcelona La Liga form:

W

W

W

W

W

D

Barcelona form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

D

Sevilla La Liga form:

L

L

L

W

D

W

Sevilla form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

D

W

Advert - content below:

Team News

Barcelona will again be without the services of Pedri due to a thigh problem, but the midfielder is now close to making his return in what will be a huge boost for the team.

Frenkie de Jong, though, is facing six weeks out with the ankle injury that he suffered during the 3-2 win over Celta last weekend.

Head coach Xavi will recall Robert Lewandowski to his starting side on Friday, with the Poland international given a rest from the start against Mallorca.

Jules Kounde is also set to be brought back into the XI, with Inigo Martinez and Ferran Torres likely to be the two players to miss out, while Andreas Christensen might have to settle for a spot on the bench once again due to Ronald Araujo's return to fitness.

Sevilla, meanwhile, have a lengthy injury list at this moment in time, with Oliver Torres, Mariano Diaz, Marcos Acuna, Marcao, Tanguy Nianzou and Alfonso Pastor on the sidelines.

The bulk of the XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Almeria last time out should keep their spots, meaning that Lucas Ocampos might have to settle for a spot on the bench once again.

Sergio Ramos and Ivan Rakitic are in line for recalls, though, with Mendilibar likely to introduce the experienced pair for the contest with the La Liga champions.

En-Nesyri started over Rafa Mir on Tuesday and found the back of the net, so the Morocco international should again be given the nod through the middle here.

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Nyland; Navas, Bade, Ramos, Pedrosa; Sow, Rakitic; Suso, Lamela, Lukebakio; En-Nesyri

We say: Barcelona 2-1 Sevilla

Sevilla are more than capable of making this a difficult match for Barcelona, especially as they will enter it off the back of their best performance of the season. Xavi's side will be desperate to return to winning ways, though, and we can see the Catalan outfit navigating their way to all three points.

Previews by email

Top News

27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona boss Xavi must find a solution to Frenkie de Jong's absence for Monday's La Liga contest with Valencia at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich have been holding conversations with Ralf Rangnick regarding the possibility of replacing Thomas Tuchel, according to the club's former president Uli Hoeness. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On the brink of relinquishing their La Liga crown, Barcelona at least endeavour to salvage some pride when Valencia arrive at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Monday night. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly unlikely to avoid receiving a points penalty for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch reportedly has no desire to depart Anfield during the summer transfer window. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk New England vs. Inter Miami (Sunday, 12.30am) In a matchup of worst versus first in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS), the New England Revolution welcome Inter Miami to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Saturday. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kasimpasa vs. Samsunspor (Saturday, 2.00pm) Kasimpasa will be seeking to avoid a third defeat on the bounce as they prepare for the visit of Samsunspor to the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadyumu on Saturday. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern vs. Frankfurt (Saturday, 2.30pm) Bayern Munich seek a 13th victory at the Allianz Arena on Saturday when they host Europe-chasing Eintracht Frankfurt in Bundesliga's gameweek 31 action. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lecce vs. Monza (Saturday, 2.00pm) Back-to-back wins for Lecce in Serie A have put them in an advantageous position to avoid relegation heading into Saturday's gameweek 34 encounter with Monza at Stadio Via del mare. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Las Palmas vs. Girona (Saturday, 1.00pm) Girona will head to an out-of-form Las Palmas outfit in La Liga on Saturday afternoon knowing that a victory would see them move above Barcelona and into second position in the table. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Blackburn vs. Coventry (Saturday, 3.00pm) Looking for the victory that could potentially secure their second-tier status, Blackburn Rovers will welcome Coventry City to Ewood Park for a Championship clash on Saturday afternoon. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 12.30pm) Reeling from their gut-wrenching derby defeat in midweek, Liverpool will endeavour to reignite their Premier League title hopes when they travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on Saturday afternoon. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides who have failed to win their last three games square off in the Primeira Liga as Estoril Praia play host to Famalicao at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Sunday. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain Women will face domestic rivals Lyon Women in the second leg of the Women's Champions League semi-finals. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round 31 of the 2023-24 Eredivisie season sees PEC Zwolle and Heracles face off against each other at the MAC3PARK Station on Sunday morning. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher at the end of the 2023-24 Premier League season. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Off the back of a first defeat in five matches last time out, NEC entertain the challenge of AZ Alkmaar at Stadion de Goffert on Sunday afternoon. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United Women will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to three competitive matches when they face Leicester Women at the King Power Stadium on Sunday. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Joel Matip is reportedly preparing to depart Liverpool in the summer, with Serie A teams expressing interest in securing his services ahead of the 2024-25 season. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur Ladies will look to extend their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions when they play host to Brighton & Hove Albion Women in Sunday's Women's Super League contest. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ninth-placed Sparta Rotterdam host 17th-placed FC Volendam on Sunday at the Sparta Stadion in the Eredivisie. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has suggested a number of reasons why his team may have lost 4-0 at Queens Park Rangers. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The action continues in round 31 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga as Portimonense and Moreirense go head to head at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Sunday. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to extend their winning run in the top flight to three matches, Metz will welcome Champions League-chasing Lille to Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday afternoon in Ligue 1. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City Women will continue their Women's Super League title challenge when they travel to Ashton Gate for Sunday's clash with Bristol City Women. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to get back to winning ways following defeat last time out, Strasbourg will welcome Champions League-chasing Nice to Stade de la Meinau in Ligue 1 on Sunday afternoon. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City have been promoted to the Premier League courtesy of Leeds United's 4-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road this evening. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic will try to extend their current six-match run without a defeat on Sunday when they travel to face Dundee as the second phase of the Scottish Premiership kicks off. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Salernitana have become the first team to suffer relegation from Serie A this season owing to a 3-0 loss to demotion rivals Frosinone at Stadio Benito Stirpe.