By Karl Matchett
Virtually pointless?
Take a fast look on the squads, the factors tallies and the shape information and nothing about this fixture says something aside from away win. In fact soccer at all times offers us the potential for an upset – that’s a part of the explanation to hassle having match-ups like Valladolid towards Barcelona – however taking one level from the final 42 accessible gained’t see the house facet encourage a lot hope of springing a shock. And this might be an enormous shock certainly, given Barcelona haven’t misplaced a home match this facet of Christmas.
Rotation potentialities
However…and there’s at all times a however…there’s multiple prize for Hansi Flick’s staff to keep watch over. Their Champions League semi-final second leg is just three days after this encounter and it’ll be an enormous take a look at of bodily resilience as a lot as technical brilliance, if the primary leg is something to go by.
Barcelona are most likely working in need of choices to vary issues round too, notably on the again, so whereas some gamers will merely should hold going and hold exhibiting title-winning type in addition to health, there is no such thing as a query Flick might be tempted into altering a minimum of a couple of faces to maintain alive his goals of a quadruple this time period, having already gained the Supercopa in addition to the Copa del Rey. If Barcelona do slip up right here, they know they’ll minimise that injury by beating Actual Madrid the next weekend – there aren’t any such second possibilities in midweek.
Latest type
The shape guide makes essentially the most horrible of horrible studying for Álvaro Rubio’s facet. One draw and 13 defeats since their final win, solely 4 factors earned in complete for 2025 and solely 16 for your complete season. They’ve conceded 16 within the final 4 matches alone. Barcelona alternatively have gained 11 of the final 12 in LaLiga – the opposite a draw – and even away from house it’s 4 wins on the spin.
Crew information
Javi Sánchez and Henrique are sidelined for Actual, however one other fear is first-choice goalkeeper Karl Hein being an harm doubt.
In distinction, Barca No.1 Marc-André ter Stegen is reportedly going to begin this recreation. They did lose Jules Koundé to harm in midweek and Alejandro Balde most likely gained’t be risked as he appears to be like to make a comeback towards Inter Milan. Robert Lewandowski, Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó are additionally out.
Key participant
If Barcelona do rotate, a kind of who may come into the XI can be a starter for many different sides on the planet. Gavi may not have featured as a lot as he’d usually hope this season however he can management a recreation with the perfect of them – on a per 90 minutes foundation he averages 76 touches, a 54% dribble success, 6.6 duels gained and 4.8 recoveries.
Prediction
No likelihood Barcelona slip up at this stage of the title race, absolutely with El Clásico arising subsequent weekend: Valladolid 1-3 Barcelona.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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