Verdict: Lamine Yamal to score anytime
Best Odds: 7/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Seeking an immediate response when they turn their attention back to La Liga action on Saturday afternoon, Barcelona will welcome Alaves to Catalonia.
Barcelona
Starting with the hosts, putting in a nightmare Champions League performance earlier in the week as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming away at Chelsea, Barcelona are desperately searching for an immediate response here. However, despite suffering an infamous European showing on Tuesday night, Hansi Flick’s camp will be excited to turn their attention back to domestic duties. Marking their return from November’s international break with a sensational 4-0 romp at home against Athletic Bilbao, the former Bayern Munich boss will be dreaming of a repeat display. Likewise, heading into November’s fortnight interval with an action-packed 4-2 win away at Celta Vigo, the reigning Spanish champions have won all of their last three consecutive La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 11-3.
Barcelona Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance since the end of August, Barcelona will once again be without Spanish international Gavi this weekend. However, despite being shown a clumsy Champions League red card away at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday Ronald Araujo is free to feature here.
Making a cameo appearance off the bench in west London, Brazilian ace Raphinha could make a first start since September 25th. Registering 10 direct goal contributions in his first nine La Liga appearances, 18-year-old superstar Lamine Yamal will play a leading role in attack.
Alaves
As for the visitors, while Alaves might have dragged themselves over the finishing line last season as they managed to keep hold of their La Liga status, it appears that Eduardo Coudet’s men are destined for another relegation scrap this time around. Suffering consecutive 1-0 defeats against Girona and Celta Vigo on either side of November’s international break, the Babazorros have also continued to show some worrying defensive issues. Signing off October with another 1-0 loss at the hands of Rayo Vallecano, Saturday’s guests have drawn a blank in four of their last five La Liga appearances. Likewise, falling to a 1-0 loss when they last travelled to Catalonia back on February 2nd, Alaves have lost all of their previous five straight meetings against Barcelona by an aggregate score of 10-2.
Alaves Team News
While Brazilian midfielder Calebe might have missed out against Celta Vigo prior to November’s international break, the 25-year-old is expected to feature in Coudet’s travelling squad. Ahead of Saturday’s showdown, Alaves have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns.
Completing a free switch from Sevilla over the summer, former Real Madrid forward Mariano Diaz could get some more minutes under his belt. One-time Barcelona starlet Denis Suarez will return to Catalonia this weekend and will start in the middle of Coudet’s midfield.
Barcelona vs Alaves Key Factors to Consider
- When Barcelona last welcomed Alaves to Catalonia back on February 2nd, the reigning Spanish champions collected a 1-0 victory.
- In fact, Flick’s camp have won all of their last five straight meetings against Saturday’s guests by an aggregate score of 10-2.
- Barcelona have won all of their last four consecutive home fixtures across all competitions by an aggregate score of 15-3.
- Alaves have failed to find the net in four of their previous five La Liga appearances.
- 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal has registered 10 direct goal contributions in his first nine La Liga appearances this season (four goals, six assists).
Conclusion
Blown away at Stamford Bridge earlier in the week as they fell to a 3-0 drumming against Chelsea, Barcelona will be desperately seeking an immediate response here. Excited to make a return to Catalonia on Saturday afternoon, Flick’s men have won all of their previous four showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 15-3. Hoping to find a route back to the top of the La Liga standings this weekend, Barca hold a dominant record against Alaves. Including a 1-0 win when they last welcomed the Babazorros to town back in February, they have won all of their previous five straight showdowns by an aggregate score of 10-2.
Verdict: Lamine Yamal to score anytime
Best Odds: 7/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
