Barcelona will look to take another step towards the title on Saturday as they take on Malaga in La Liga.
Ernesto Valverde's side are eight points clear at the top of the Primera Division after Lionel Messi's free kick guided them to a crucial victory over Atletico Madrid.
With the Colchoneros back in action on Sunday, Barca could extend their advantage to 11 with victory at La Rosaleda.
Malaga, however, might be bottom of La Liga but they have caused problems for the Catalans in the past, and with a key Champions League tie also approaching Barcelona face a huge week as they seek domestic and European glory.
| Game | Malaga vs Barcelona |
| Date | Saturday March 10 |
| Time | 19:45 GMT / 15:45 ET |
| Stream (US only) | fubo TV (7-day free trial) |
TV Channel & Live Stream
In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| beIN Sports | fubo TV (7-day free trial) |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on Sky Sports Football and it can also be streamed live online using Sky Go.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports Football | Sky Go |
Squads & Team News
| Position | Malaga players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Roberto, Prieto |
| Defenders | Miquel, Gonzalez, Hernandez, Ricca, Rosales, Torres |
| Midfielders | Rolon, Adrian, Juanpi, Chory, Kuzmanovic, Garcia, Lacen, Iturra |
| Forwards | Borja, Penaranda, Rolan, Bueno |
Keko, Juankar and Recio are all absent for La Liga's bottom club, who have not won a game since 2017 as they battle desperately against relegation.
Potential Malaga starting XI: Roberto; Rosales, Miquel, Hernandez, Ricca; Rolan, Chory, Lacen, Iturra, Borja, Bueno.
| Position | Barcelona players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Ter Stegen, Cillessen |
| Defenders | Pique, Digne, Vidal, Umtiti, Vermaelen, Alba. |
| Midfielders | Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Coutinho, Paulinho, Roberto, Gomes |
| Forwards | Suarez, Messi, Dembele, Alcacer |
Coach Ernesto Valverde is juggling several injury worries. Denis Suarez limped off during Barca's Catalan Supercopa win midweek, and is almost certainly ruled out.
Andres Iniesta too is battling a hamstring problem, and will likely cede his place to Philippe Coutinho in order to save his legs for the Champions League.
Potential Barcelona starting XI: Ter Stegen; Vidal, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Paulinho, Coutinho; Suarez, Messi.
Betting & Match Odds
Barcelona are favourites to win, with dabblebet offering odds of 2/7 on the Blaugrana. Malaga are deemed to be a 12/1 bet and a draw is more likely at 9/2.
Match Preview
Getty
La Liga is now Barcelona's to lose. Messi's free-kick to take down Atletico gives them a commanding lead over their nearest rivals, with just 11 games to go in the season.
Now Valverde and his men are entering the decisive stages of the season. The Blaugrana are also fighting for the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, and will host Chelsea at Camp Nou in the latter on Wednesday.
That means the coach will have to rotate his overworked squad, perhaps beginning with Malaga this weekend. At the foot of the table, the struggling Andalucians on paper at least should be no match for Messi and Co.
The same sentiments, however, were uttered prior to Barca's last away fixture when fellow relegation candidates Las Palmas welcomed the leaders to Gran Canaria. As it was, Jonathan Calleri's penalty and a number of curious refereeing decisions left Barca frustrated with a disappointing draw, proof that no result can be taken for granted.
Malaga too have sprung their fair share of shocks on the giants over the years, and will need no extra motivation to go out for another upset on Saturday with Liga survival at stake.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
