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[monks data]
Barcelona logo
La Liga
Oct 18, 2014 at 7pm UK
 
Eibar logo

3-0

Xavi (60'), Neymar (72'), Messi (74')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Barcelona vs. Eibar

Sports Mole previews the first ever La Liga clash between leaders Barcelona and newly-promoted Eibar at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona enter their match with Eibar on Saturday having yet to concede a La Liga goal this season.

Unsurprisingly, that defensive record has helped Luis Enrique's side to the top of the table after seven games in which they have only dropped two points.

Their visitors to the Camp Nou this weekend did something last term that Barca could not - win a title - and Segunda Division champions Eibar have made a solid start to their first ever top-flight campaign.

Three successive draws prior to the international break have left Gaizka Garitano's side ninth in the table and unbeaten in four matches ahead of their first ever match against Barcelona's first team.

While the Catalan giants perhaps represent their biggest test yet, Eibar have performed admirably against La Liga's big boys so far, drawing with Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao and only losing by one to champions Atletico Madrid.

Garitano could make one change, with Federico Piovaccari, who scored a stoppage-time equaliser against Levante a fortnight ago, replacing the goalless Angel in a two-man attack.

Lionel Messi and Neymar have each scored in Barcelona's last three games, and this is the penultimate match in which Enrique's dream front three will be without the services of the suspended Luis Suarez.

With the former Liverpool striker still unavailable, Munir El Haddadi or Pedro will complete the home side's forward line, while Ivan Rakitic should continue to keep veteran Xavi out of the midfield.

Jordi Alba could be recalled at left-back after only being among the substitutes for the 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, in a defensive reshuffle which will likely see Marc Bartra omitted from the starting XI.

Recent form

Barca: WLWDWW

Eibar: DDDWLL

Possible starting lineups

Barca: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; El Haddadi, Messi, Neymar

Eibar: Xabi Irureta; Boveda, Rodriguez Navas, Abraham Minero; Albentosa, Errasti, Dani Garcia, Saul, Javi Lara; Piovaccari, Arruabarrena

Sports Mole says: 2-0


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Lionel Messi of F.C. Barcelona controls the ball during the La Liga match between Malaga CF and FC Barcelona at La Rosaleda studium on September 24, 2014
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