Prediction: Sevilla vs Barcelona

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: William Hill

Sevilla will welcome La Liga leaders Barcelona at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in what will be the 30th league game of the season for both teams, and as things stand right now, it should be an interesting one.

Sevilla

It has been a great season for the Los Palanganas so far. They seem on course to return to the Champions League after a year’s absence from the competition, sitting third at the moment with 51 points to their name, behind the two perpetual title contenders, Barcelona and Real Madrid. They still need to be careful not to go spilling too many points in the remaining five matches, with Atletico Madrid breathing down their necks on 49, and Real Sociedad and Getafe not too far behind (both 47).

Having returned to the scene with an important win over Real Betis in the Seville Derby, they drew 1-1 away to 12th place Levante. Their recent form is far from poor, however, with three wins and three draws from their last six league encounters. Now, however, they face a huge challenge to maintain that unbeaten run.

Team News

Former Real and Spain coach Julen Lopetegui shouldn’t have any important players missing from the list of his options. Midfielder Fernando could come back into the side having spent the Levante clash on the bench. Munir El Haddadi could also play against his former club, but Lucas Ocampos is practically certain to be in the attacking line from the start, having scored 13 goals in all competitions this season.

Barcelona

The football in Spain has return, and so has the ruthless Barcelona. Led and inspired by captain Lionel Messi, the Catalans will be certain to approach this game as any other – business as usual, despite what pride or form of Sevilla may say.

As has been said above, Barcelona currently lead the way in the La Liga table, with 64 points from the previous 29 rounds. That’s five more than arch-rivals Real in second place, but Los Blancos have a game in hand. It means Quique Setien’s men cannot afford to relax, but they aren’t even considering that as an option, if the two games they’ve played after the lockdown so far are anything to go by. They didn’t allow Mallorca or Leganes to pull any surprises.

Overall, Barcelona have four wins, a draw and a defeat from their last six matches in the Spanish top flight, but the most important thing for them right now is that they’ve been looking and playing like a proper top-class team lately; not overly glittering, perhaps, but always keeping their eyes on the big prize at the end of the season and not letting anything distract them on that road.

Team News

Having started and scored against Mallorca last week, forward Martin Braithwaite missed the action against Leganes in midweek, which suggests he is likely to be on the teamsheet once again on Friday. It would likely also mean that Luis Suarez would be allowed some rest as he steps up his recovery from long injury absence. Left-back Jordi Alba served a one-match suspension last time around and should now return to his place in the team ahead of Junior Firpo.

Winger Ousmane Dembele is still ruled out due to the hamstring issue and it remains to be seen if he returns at all for the rest of the campaign.

Conclusion

With all due respect to Sevilla, the visitors will be huge favourites to win the game. Messi has been stopped very few times in the career stretching for over 15 years, and he’s unlikely to be stopped in Seville.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: William Hill