A high-flying Sevilla host a struggling Barcelona at the Sanchez Ramon Pizjuan on Saturday.
Sevilla look to continue their four-match winning streak as the Catalans attempt to win their first game in La Liga since the unconvincing 1-2 victory at Real Sociedad a month ago.
The visitors are on top of the table with 16 points from their eight games. Barcelona are one point behind their opponents and can leap to the top on Saturday.
Both the teams having European engagements in four days time makes this fixture more interesting. Pablo Machin’s men held fort against Los Blancos. Will they be able to ward off their bitter rivals, too? We build up to the big game from a tactical viewpoint.
SILVA-BEN YEDDER DUO TO SHAKE UP THE BARCA DEFENCE
Andre Silva and Wissam Ben Yedder have been sensational so far. The duo will be leading the line in a 3-5-2 formation. Silva has already netted in seven goals and Ben Yedder has five goals to his name. An unstoppable force will be looking to penetrate the highly porous Barcelona defence.
With Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen sidelined due to injury, Clement Lenglet will be partnering Gerard Pique at the back. Pique has been in terrible form since April. Lenglet is error-prone and is yet to master his positioning to gel in with Barcelona style. This Barcelona defence looks vulnerable individually and collectively.
Ever Banega and Pablo Sarabia will provide from central midfield as Silva and Yedder look to exploit the half-spaces. Barcelona will dominate possession while playing a high line and Silva will look outpace Pique and latch onto through balls in quick transitions.
VACLIK’S GOALKEEPING HEROICS
No goalkeeper in the top five leagues has stopped more shots (57) or kept more cleansheets (seven) in all competitions this season than Tomas Vaclik. Sevilla have made a great purchase from Basel in Vaclik and the Czech international has proven his £6.3m price tag to be a good piece of business.
Sevilla’s backline hasn’t been particularly up to the mark this season when the attack and midfield are taken for reference. This gives a better picture of Vaclik’s influence on the Rojiblancos’ defence.
Vaclik showed great resilience in Sevilla’s 3-0 win against Real Madrid. He will have to repeat it against Lionel Messi and co on Saturday if Sevilla are to remain at the top of the table.
ARTHUR AND THE MIDDLE BATTLE
Arthur has been at the receiving end of a lot of praise recently, even Lionel Messi has singled him out when he spoke about the new signings. There is definitely a lot of substance behind this.
Arthur’s style of play and incredible press resistance contains shades of a certain number six in Xavi who left Barcelona three years ago. Arthur’s performances, particularly against Tottenham and Valencia, has been one of the few positives for Barcelona.
Sevilla will be fielding a five-man midfield in order to achieve numerical superiority. Arthur will be pitted against an in-form Sarabia and the experienced Banega. Arthur will be looking to control the tempo of the game and win the midfield battle alongside Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic.
SUAREZ’S RETURN TO FORM
Luis Suarez had been in terrible form for most of last season. The statistics provided him some cover but they were highly misleading.
However, the Uruguayan seems to have sharpened his teeth as he looks to build on a couple of good performances in the past month. Suarez was instrumental in both the goals scored by Messi in the Champions League game against Tottenham.
Although he couldn’t make it to the score-sheet, Suarez had a good game against Valencia too. He has regained his passing rhythm, positioning sense and his dummy movements are working in favor of Barcelona.
The forward is also creating good goalscoring chances and linking up well with his former Liverpool teammate Philippe Coutinho on the left. This combination can overwhelm the Sevilla defence.
