The form book suggests Sunday’s meeting between Barcelona and Alavés could be one-sided as Hansi Flick’s side hit their stride again.
By Graham Ruthven
No margin for error
The gap between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga could stand at 10 points by the time Hansi Flick’s team kick off against Alavés on Sunday afternoon.
Real Madrid will have faced Espanyol the night before with the table-toppers firm favourites to extend their winning run to six games. This would pile the pressure on Barca to match the pace of their fiercest rivals.
Since dropping points away to Getafe two weeks ago, Barcelona have scored 12 goals in wins over Benfica and Valencia, also drawing 2-2 against Atalanta when their place in the Champions League top eight was already secured.
Barcelona’s chances of catching Real Madrid depend on whether their defence can hold out. Flick’s high defensive line has given countless opponents space to attack in behind this season, making Barca vulnerable.
It might only be February, but Barcelona have no margin for error in the title race. Sunday’s home match against Alavés at Montjuïc is a must win.
Alavés, on the other hand, are on a run of just one win in their last nine matches, but did claim three points in their last away outing against Real Betis. Eduardo Coudet will hope that result can give his team confidence to upset the odds in Catalonia.
Key players
Anyone who has watched Barcelona this season will be well aware of the players who pose an attacking threat to every opposition team they come up against.
Lamine Yamal is the Catalans’ creative hub, registering 15 goal involvements in just 18 league appearances this season. The teenager found the net against Atalanta on Wednesday and is a danger cutting inside off the right wing.
Robert Lewandowski gives Barcelona cutting edge in front of goal while Raphinha is in the form of his life this season. Indeed, only Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappé have scored more league goals than the Brazilian winger this season.
Kike García will be Alavés’ primary goal threat with the veteran centre forward expected to lead the line for the visitors on Sunday. Carlos Vicente, who has three league assists this season, will provide support from the wings.
Realistically, though, Alavés will need fill-in goalkeeper Jesús Owono to be in top form if they are to stand any chance of earning a result at Montjuïc with centre back Abdel Abqar also sure to be under pressure.
Team news
Marc-André ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Iñigo Martínez and Marc Bernal are all long-term absentees for Barcelona with Dani Olmo also expected to miss Sunday’s match against Alavés.
Flick could rotate his starting lineup after fielding a full strength team against Atalanta in the Champions League during the week with Fermín López and Ferran Torres two players who could come into the side.
Goalkeeper Antonio Sivera will be sidelined for Alavés as they travel to Montjuïc this weekend. Central midfielder Joan Jordan is another player who will miss out for the visitors through injury.
Prediction
All the signs suggest that this is going to be another high scoring win for Hansi Flick’s side but, as always, it’s hard to say that Barca will keep a clean sheet: Barcelona 4-1 Alavés.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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