Linares vs Barcelona: Predictions, odds & betting tips

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Barcelona begin their Copa del Rey campaign on Wednesday evening with a trip to third-tier Linares, conquerors of La Liga side Alaves in the previous round.

Xavi Hernandez's team have been hit hard with injuries and coronavirus cases, and the manager is likely to field a youthful line-up for the match at the Estadio Municipal de Linarejos.

Linares vs Barcelona latest odds

Barcelona produced a battling display in difficult circumstances on Sunday night to claim a 1-0 league win at Mallorca and bet365 offer another success for the Catalans at 3/10 (1.30).

Linares have knocked out both Alaves and Gimnastica Tarragona to reach this stage and are available at 8/1 (9.00) to pull off a major shock while the game is priced at 15/4 (4.75) to go to extra time.

Linares vs Barcelona first goalscorer

Luuk de Jong was the match-winner for the Blaugrana on Sunday evening, scoring the only goal of the game in Mallorca and the much-maligned Dutch forward will be hoping to add to his goal tally on Wednesday night.

De Jong is likely to get more minutes given the absentees in the squad and the game should provide him with another chance to boost his confidence by scoring.

The striker is offered at 15/4 (4.75) to break the deadlock, while youngster Ferran Jutgla who already has a goal to his name in his short Barca career is priced at 15/2 (8.50) and diminutive midfielder Riqui Puig is offered at 14/1 (15.00).

Linares vs Barcelona preview

What Barca lacked in experience on Sunday they made up for in character and there is a clear team spirit in Xavi Hernandez's squad.

Team spirit alone however does not win matches, but Blaugrana fans will be pleased to see the side grinding out wins in difficult circumstances.

Wednesday night could be another challenge against a side that will try to be organised and extremely physical against Barca's youngsters.

Yet the youth academy players will surely relish the chance to be involved with the first team, and where more established footballers would view the game as a potential banana-skin, Barca's group of exciting teenagers will see it as an opportunity.

With confidence building in the team, backing the Catalans to claim a win seems to be the wise move.

Linares vs Barcelona tips & predictions

Barca are offered at 7/4 (2.75) to win both halves which looks like an attractive option, while the price of evens (2.00) for them to score in both halves could also be of interest.

Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.

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