MX23RW : Sunday, February 16 20:22:13| >> :120:5637:5637:
[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


ID:182907: cacheID:182907:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4890:
Written by
Joe Fish
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
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
Read Next:
Barcelona held to goalless draw by Malaga
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid24156352232951
2Atletico MadridAtletico24148239162350
3Barcelona23153564253948
4Athletic Bilbao24129337211645
5Villarreal24118547351241
6Rayo Vallecano239862724335
7Mallorca24104102330-734
8Osasuna2471162933-432
9Real Sociedad2394102020031
10GironaGirona2494113235-331
11Sevilla248792934-531
12Getafe247982018230
13Celta Vigo2485113538-329
14Real BetisBetis237882731-429
15Espanyol2466122336-1324
16Leganes2459102235-1324
17Las PalmasLas Palmas2465132941-1223
18Valencia2458112538-1323
19AlavesAlaves2457122838-1022
20Real ValladolidValladolid2443171552-3715


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!