Barcelona's Must-Win Match Against Alaves
Barcelona's pursuit of La Liga leaders Real Madrid continues on Sunday afternoon when they host struggling Alaves at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The stakes are high for Hansi Flick’s side, who are currently third in the league, trailing Real Madrid by seven points. Alaves, on the other hand, are battling to stay above the relegation zone, sitting in 17th place just one point above 18th-placed Espanyol.
Barcelona’s Recent Form and Struggles
Barcelona enters this match on the back of an impressive 7-1 victory over Valencia in La Liga, but their form since November has been inconsistent, with only two wins from their last nine league games. Despite their recent struggles, a win against Alaves is a must for the Catalan giants if they are to stay in the title race. A potential loss would push them further behind Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, who are also competing for the top spots.
Alaves’ Challenge
Alaves may be struggling in La Liga this season, but they have shown signs of improvement recently. Their record includes five wins, six draws, and ten defeats from 21 matches, leaving them just one point above the relegation zone. Despite being on a four-game losing streak against Barcelona, Alaves held the Catalan side to a 1-1 draw at this very ground in the 2021-22 campaign. With their unbeaten streak in away league matches, they will be hoping for another strong performance against Barcelona.
Team News and Lineups
Barcelona:
- Injuries: Marc Bernal and Marc-André ter Stegen remain out with long-term knee injuries. Andreas Christensen is also sidelined due to a muscular problem. Dani Olmo is expected to miss out once again, with a return likely in the Copa del Rey next week.
- Possible Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
- Defenders: Jules Koundé, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde
- Midfielders: Marc Casado, Pedri
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski
Alaves:
- Injuries and Suspensions: Antonio Sivera is out with a hand injury, while Abdel Abqar is suspended. Antonio Blanco returns after serving a suspension.
- Possible Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Owono
- Defenders: Tenaglia, Mourino, Diarra, M Sanchez
- Midfielders: Guevara, Benavidez
- Forwards: Vicente, Guridi, Conechny, Kike Garcia
Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Alaves
Despite their struggles this season, Barcelona's attacking prowess should shine through against a relegation-threatened Alaves side. While Alaves have enough quality to score, it would be a huge surprise if Barcelona fails to secure all three points in this match.
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