Sevilla vs Barcelona: TV channel, live stream, team news & preview

Barcelona and Sevilla lift the curtain on the 2018-19 Spanish season when they face off in the new-look Supercopa de Espana.

The Moroccan city of Tangiers is the neutral venue for the occasion, which has been altered in format from a traditional two-legged competition to a single-game decider.

Reigning La Liga champions Barca are chasing their 13th title, while the Andalusians could double their trophy count, having won the competition just once in their history.

League action kicks off the following week, with the Catalan giants set to host Alaves, but Sevilla have a shorter break as they continue their Europa League campaign on Thursday against Zalgiris.

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TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch

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In the United States (US) the game will be shown live on television on ESPN Deportes. It can also be streamed live online using the WatchESPN service.

In the United Kingdom (UK), the game will be broadcast live on television on Sky Sports Football and will be available to stream online using Sky Go.

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Squads & Team News

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Lionel Messi returns to take his place in the starting XI despite not featuring once in pre-season, as does strike partner Luis Suarez.

New signings Arthur and Clement Lenglet are set to make their competitive debuts, but Arturo Vidal has to make do with a place on the bench.

Interestingly, there is no place in the matchday squad for Malcom, while Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and Samuel Umtiti have been included on the substitute's bench. 

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Alba, Pique, Lenglet, Semedo; Rafinha, Busquets, Arthur; Dembele, L. Suarez, Messi.

Subs: Cillessen, Rakitic, Coutinho, Munir, Vidal, Umtiti, Miranda.

Sevilla are without goalkeeper Sergio Rico, who has joined Premier League side Fulham on loan, meaning new signing Tomas Vaclik starts the game.

Andre Silva, who is on loan from AC Milan and actually scored for the Rossoneri against Barca in a friendly last week, could potentially make his competitive debut.

Simon Kjaer returns to the team, while Jesus Navas and Ever Banega bring experience to the XI. New signing Aleix Vidal could make an appearance against his former club from the bench.

Sevilla XI: Vaclik; Gomez, Kjaer, Mesa, Mercado, Escudero, Sarabia, Banega, Navas, Muriel, Vazquez.

Subs: Soriano, Amadou, Silva, Carrico, Nolito, Ben Yedder, Vidal, 

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Betting & Match Odds

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Barcelona, who pummelled Sevilla 5-0 in the Copa del Rey final last season, are strong favourites to win at 1/2. The Rojiblancos, meanwhile, are rated 5/1 to triumph and a draw is available at 7/2.

Click here to see all of dabblebet's offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.

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Match Preview

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As they get set to embark on a new campaign Barcelona are entering a period of transition, with heroes of the past moving on and a clutch of young upstarts hoping to lead the club into future success.

Iniesta's departure for Vissel Kobe means that Lionel Messi is now the elder statesman of the club and the Argentine has an array of new faces around him this season, with the likes of Malcom, Arthur and Vidal bringing a decidedly different complexion to Ernesto Valverde's outfit.

The Catalan giants swept to Liga glory last term in remarkable fashion, losing just one game all season, and it will be interesting to see if the new additions can help the club maintain their level of domination.

In the absence of established stars such as Messi and Luis Suarez, pre-season was disappointing in terms of results, with underwhelming displays against Tottenham, Roma and AC Milan, but Valverde will be pleased by the contribution of the likes of Rafinha and Munir, who are out to prove a point after spending the bulk of last season on loan.

Places are certainly  up for grabs ahead of the Liga opener against Alaves next week and the Barca boss will be demanding a strong showing against Sevilla in Tangiers as he finalises his plans for the season ahead.