Barcelona will look to shake off their shambolic run in all competitions as they face a struggling Almeria side in a crucial La Liga encounter for the reigning champions.
The 2022/23 La Liga winners have failed to replicate their heroics from last term as they are touted to finish at least six points off the summit before the Christmas break. Their struggle in front of goal has been the biggest problem for the Catalan heavyweights with the likes of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski struggling for form.
Almeria are seeded at the foot of the Spanish division as they are yet to open their wins account after 17 games. With just five points this season, Almeria are early contenders to drop down from La Liga but they would be hoping to produce a fairytale against Barcelona considering the latter's recent run of results.
Here GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
Barcelona vs Almería kick-off time
| Date: | December 20, 2023 |
| Kick-off time: | 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT |
| Venue: | Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys |
FC Barcelona will welcome Almeria to the second stadium, the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on December 20, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT in the US.
How to watch Barcelona vs Almería online - TV channels & live streams
 | ESPN+ | Watch here |
 | Fubo | Watch here |
 | ESPN Deportes | Watch here |
The La Liga fixture will be available to watch on ESPN+, Fubo, and ESPN Deportes in the US with live updates on GOAL's Live Match Centre.
Team news & squads
Barcelona team news
Xavi would be hoping to see Polish striker Robert Lewandowski rekindle his goalscoring touch before January otherwise winter arrival Vitor Roque could displace him in the lineup.
The Catalan giants remain without Gavi, Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso, and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen due to their respective injuries. Dutch superstar Frenkie De Jong will miss the fixture due to his accumulation of yellow cards and former Saints midfielder Oriol Romeu will start for the reigning champions.
Barcelona predicted XI: Pena; Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Pedri; Raphinha, Felix, Lewandowski.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Peña, Astralaga, Kochen |
| Defenders: | Cancelo, Balde, Araujo, Christensen, Kounde, Cubarsí, Fort |
| Midfielders: | Pedri, Romeu, Roberto, Gündogan, Casadó, López, Garrido |
| Forwards: | Torres, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Félix, Yamal, Alarcón, Guiu |
Almería team news
Almeria will fail to call upon Lucas Robertone who picked up his fifth booking of the campaign and is also nursing a shoulder injury alongside Gonzalo Melero who has a muscle problem.
Marko Milovanovic,Ibrahima Kone,Marc Pubill,Martin SviderskyandLuis Suarez.are the other absentees for Almeria before their fixture against Xavi's men.
Almeria predicted XI: Maximiano; Montes, Gonzalez, Chumi; Pozo, Lopy, Baba, Akieme; Arribas, Embarba, Baptistao.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Maximiano, Martinez, Marino |
| Defenders: | Montes, Gonzalez, Kaiky, Chumi, Akieme, Centellas, Pozo, Mendes |
| Midfielders: | Lopy, Baba, Puigmal, Arribas, Ramazani, Lazaro, Embarba |
| Forwards: | Baptistao, Sanca |
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Feb 2023 | Almeria 1-0 Barcelona | La Liga |
| 6 Nov 2022 | Barcelona 2-0 Almeria | La Liga |
| 8 Apr 2015 | Barcelona 4-0 Almeria | La Liga |
| 8 Nov 2014 | Almeria 1-2 Barcelona | La Liga |
| 3 Mar 2014 | Barcelona 4-1 Almeria | La Liga |