Spain - Primera Division
play pause open Close
 
Played
September 29, 2012 9:00 PM BST
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán — Sevilla
Referee:‬ Antonio Mateu‎
Attendance:‬ 40000‎
 

Sevilla – Barcelona Preview: High-flying Blaugrana target sixth straight Liga win

Tito Vilanova’s side will look to maintain their eight-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid heading into next weekend’s Clasico showdown at Camp Nou

By Karthick Arvinth

More On :  FC Barcelona, Sevilla, Sevilla vs FC Barcelona
Alex Song - FC Barcelona
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

SEVILLA

Palop
Cicinho, Botia, Spahic, Navarro
Medel, Maduro
Navas, Rakitic, Trochowski
Negredo
BARCELONA

Valdes
Alves, Song, Mascherano, Alba
Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta
Pedro, Messi, Sanchez

Sevilla are set to welcome back Diego Perotti and Jose Antonio Reyes for Saturday’s Primera Division clash with Barcelona at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

The duo returned from calf and shoulder injuries respectively to play in a charity match on Tuesday, and will likely be named on the bench.

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is expected to travel to Andalusia after recovering from a hamstring problem, but defenders Gerard Pique (ankle) and Carles Puyol (knee) are still out.

Alex Song and Javier Mascherano are expected to continue their partnership in central defence despite the availability of young defenders Marc Bartra and Andreu Fontas.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Sevilla are unbeaten in La Liga with three wins and two draws in their five matches so far.
  • The Andalusian side have won their last three home games with an aggregate score of 8-3.
  • With just two goals conceded thus far, Sevilla boast the joint-best defensive record in the league along with Malaga.
  • Barcelona are the only side to maintain a 100 per cent record in the Primera Division.
  • If they win on Saturday, the Catalans will equal their best ever start to a Liga campaign.
  • Goals from Xavi (pictured right) and Lionel Messi handed a 2-0 win to Barca in this corresponding fixture last season.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Sevilla 1-3 FC Barcelona
    19.88 %
  • Sevilla 0-3 FC Barcelona
    11.63 %
  • Sevilla 1-2 FC Barcelona
    9.57 %
Head to Head
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Feb 23, 2013 FC Barcelona 2 - Sevilla 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Sep 29, 2012 Sevilla 2 - FC Barcelona 3
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Mar 17, 2012 Sevilla 0 - FC Barcelona 2
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Oct 22, 2011 FC Barcelona 0 - Sevilla 0
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Mar 13, 2011 Sevilla 1 - FC Barcelona 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Last Five Matches
Sevilla
May 18, 2013Sevilla 1 - Real Sociedad 2LIGA
May 12, 2013Malaga 0 - Sevilla 0LIGA
May 5, 2013Sevilla 3 - Espanyol 0LIGA
Apr 28, 2013Valladolid 1 - Sevilla 1LIGA
Apr 21, 2013Sevilla 0 - Atletico Madrid 1LIGA
FC Barcelona
May 19, 2013FC Barcelona 2 - Valladolid 1LIGA
May 12, 2013Atletico Madrid 1 - FC Barcelona 2LIGA
May 5, 2013FC Barcelona 4 - Betis 2LIGA
May 1, 2013FC Barcelona 0 - FC Bayern München 3UCL
Apr 27, 2013Athletic Bilbao 2 - FC Barcelona 2LIGA
Odds
Returns: Sevilla £290.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Draw £45.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Barcelona £210.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
1Andrés PalopGoalkeeper
3Fernando NavarroDefender
5Emir SpahicDefender
6Hedwiges MaduroDefender
2CicinhoDefender
-BotíaDefender
7Jesús Navas GonzálezMidfielder
8Gary MedelMidfielder
11Ivan RakiticMidfielder
15Piotr TrochowskiMidfielder
9NegredoStriker
13Diego López RodríguezGoalkeeper
2Federico Julián FazioDefender
27LunaDefender
16CampañaMidfielder
-Geoffrey KondogbiaMidfielder
20Manu Del MoralStriker
-Baba DiawaraStriker
1Víctor ValdésGoalkeeper
2Daniel AlvesDefender
18Jordi AlbaDefender
4Cesc FàbregasMidfielder
6XaviMidfielder
14Javier MascheranoMidfielder
16BusquetsMidfielder
25Alex SongMidfielder
9Alexis SánchezStriker
10Lionel MessiStriker
17PedroStriker
13José Pinto ColoradoGoalkeeper
32BartraDefender
35MontoyaDefender
11Thiago AlcántaraMidfielder
30Sergi RobertoMidfielder
7David VillaStriker
37TelloStriker
Players to Watch
Jesús Navas González
Jesús Navas González
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 7
Games Goals YC RC
35 0 5 0
The Spain international has been a key performer in Sevilla’s unbeaten start to the season, terrorising defenders with his searing pace down the right flank. Navas’s speed and crossing ability will be crucial as Los Rojiblancos set about securing their first home Liga win over Barcelona since 2007.
Alex Song
Alex Song
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 25
Games Goals YC RC
19 1 3 0
The former Arsenal midfielder has made a promising start to his career in Catalonia, with his assured performances in midfield and at the back impressing the Camp Nou faithful. However, Saturday promises to be the sternest test yet, as he comes up against a side that has excelled at counterattacking football.
Prediction

After a couple of tepid draws, Sevilla appear to be clicking into gear with a good balance to their side. However, they face a huge examination of their credentials against Barcelona, who have the ability to carve chances at will.

Editor's Prediction
Sevilla 1
Barcelona 2
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid 		34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia 		21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla 		20 3