With Real Madrid hot on their heels, league leaders Barcelona need to ensure they come out with all three points in this home fixture against Leganes.
Barcelona will look to return to winning ways in La Liga when they host 17th-placed Leganes who are aiming to stay out of the drop zone.
The Catalan giants were comfortable sitting at the top of the table, but a spell of five poor results have complicated things for them. In their last five league outings, Hansi Flick’s team have lost two, drawn two and won just once.
While they still have a two-point lead for Los Blancos, the team in white has a game in hand. As a result, this game against Leganes is a must-win for them. Heading into this fixture on the back of a 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, Barcelona will be confident that they can get things back on track in La Liga.
The visitors have only managed 15 points in their 16 outings. They have only won three league games so far and are just two points clear of the drop zone having played an extra game than 18th-placed Espanyol.
Leganes are heading into this fixture on the back of a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Real Sociedad. While they had more of the ball, they were not effective in the final third. Given the kind of form they have been in, they will find it difficult to go up against the home team. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
Barcelona have a few positives heading into this fixture as Ansu Fati and Andreas Christensen are back in training. Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo was on the bench against Borussia Dortmund, and he could soon return to the pitch.
They remain without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal. While there has been some concern about Raphinha’s fitness, he is expected to be fully fit to start here. The home team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Inaki Pena will be in goal. Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Araujo, and Alejandro Balde should be the back four.
In the centre of the park, Marc Casado should partner with Pedri. They will be looking to dictate the pace of the game and ensure they dominate ball possession. Dani Olmo will continue as the number ten, while Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will feature on the flanks providing the much-needed width to their attacks. Robert Lewandowski will be leading the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Barcelona vs Leganes Predicted XI
Leganes
The visitors will be without the services of Darko Brasanac, Dani Raba and Enric Franquesa. Meanwhile, Valentin Rosier is suspended following a milestone booking in their last outing. Leganes will also line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and there will be a few changes to the XI that started in the game against Real Sociedad.
Marko Dmitrovic will be in goal for the visitors while Adria Altimira and Javi Hernandez will be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Sergio Gonzalez will partner with Matija Nastasic. Renato Tapia and Yvan Neyou will form the double pivot in midfield. Their primary task in this fixture will be to protect the back four and ensure Barcelona do not end up dominating the proceedings.
Juan Cruz and Munir El Haddadi will be providing width to their attacks as well as some support to their full-backs. Oscar Rodriguez will be the chief creator taking up the number ten role. Miguel de la Fuente will lead the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; Alti, Gonzalez, Nastasic, Hernandez; Tapia, Neyou; Munir, Rodriguez, Cruz; De la Fuente
Barcelona vs Leganes Predicted XI
Key Stats
Barcelona have the best attack in the division having scored 50 goals in their 17 league games.
However, there are six teams with a better defensive record than the Catalan giants this season.
Leganes have the fourth-worst attacking record in La Liga this season having scored just 14 goals in their 16 outings.
Hansi Flick’s team have only won one out of their last five league games.
Leganes have lost each of their last five away games against Barcelona.
Player to Watch
Raphinha
Embed from Getty Images
Raphinha is having the best season of his life, having scored 17 goals and bagged 10 assists in his 23 outings. The Brazilian winger has been on fire for Hansi Flick’s team. Given the kind of form he has been in, the 27-year-old could easily end up being the difference between the two teams.
Prediction
Barcelona 3-0 CD Leganes
The Catalan giants have been very inconsistent in the league of late, but they are heading into this fixture on the back of an impressive win over Borussia Dortmund, and they will be confident of getting the job done against Leganes.
The visitors have struggled for most parts of their campaign, and on the basis of the difference in quality of both sides, the home team should come out on top without much difficulty. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Hansi Flick’s team.