By Graham Ruthven
No margin for error
The hole between Barcelona and Actual Madrid on the prime of LaLiga may stand at 10 factors by the point Hansi Flick’s crew kick off towards Alavés on Sunday afternoon.
Actual Madrid may have confronted Espanyol the night time earlier than with the table-toppers agency favourites to increase their profitable run to 6 video games. This might pile the strain on Barca to match the tempo of their fiercest rivals.
Since dropping factors away to Getafe two weeks in the past, Barcelona have scored 12 objectives in wins over Benfica and Valencia, additionally drawing 2-2 towards Atalanta when their place within the Champions League prime eight was already secured.
Barcelona’s possibilities of catching Actual Madrid rely upon whether or not their defence can maintain out. Flick’s excessive line of defense has given numerous opponents house to assault in behind this season, making Barca weak.
It’d solely be February, however Barcelona haven’t any margin for error within the title race. Sunday’s dwelling match towards Alavés at Montjuïc is a should win.
Alavés, then again, are on a run of only one win of their final 9 matches, however did declare three factors of their final away outing towards Actual Betis. Eduardo Coudet will hope that outcome can provide his crew confidence to upset the percentages in Catalonia.
Key gamers
Anybody who has watched Barcelona this season will probably be effectively conscious of the gamers who pose an attacking menace to each opposition crew they arrive up towards.
Lamine Yamal is the Catalans’ inventive hub, registering 15 objective involvements in simply 18 league appearances this season. {The teenager} discovered the online towards Atalanta on Wednesday and is a hazard chopping inside off the precise wing.
Robert Lewandowski provides Barcelona leading edge in entrance of objective whereas Raphinha is within the type of his life this season. Certainly, solely Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappé have scored extra league objectives than the Brazilian winger this season.
Kike García will probably be Alavés’ main objective menace with the veteran centre ahead anticipated to guide the road for the guests on Sunday. Carlos Vicente, who has three league assists this season, will present help from the wings.
Realistically, although, Alavés will want fill-in goalkeeper Jesús Owono to be in prime kind if they’re to face any likelihood of incomes a outcome at Montjuïc with centre again Abdel Abqar additionally certain to be beneath strain.
Group information
Marc-André ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Iñigo Martínez and Marc Bernal are all long-term absentees for Barcelona with Dani Olmo additionally anticipated to overlook Sunday’s match towards Alavés.
Flick may rotate his beginning lineup after fielding a full power crew towards Atalanta within the Champions League throughout the week with Fermín López and Ferran Torres two gamers who may come into the aspect.
Goalkeeper Antonio Sivera will probably be sidelined for Alavés as they journey to Montjuïc this weekend. Central midfielder Joan Jordan is one other participant who will miss out for the guests by means of damage.
Prediction
All of the indicators recommend that that is going to be one other excessive scoring win for Hansi Flick’s aspect however, as all the time, it’s exhausting to say that Barca will preserve a clear sheet: Barcelona 4-1 Alavés.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You possibly can comply with each recreation from LaLiga with FotMob this season – that includes deep stats protection, xG, and participant rankings. Obtain the free app right here.