Barcelona vs Sporting Gijon: La Liga Match Preview

There is no room for errors or complacency in this stage of the season as Barcelona welcome Asturian outfits Sporting Gijon to the Camp Nou in their 25th game of the 2016/2017 La Liga season with the aim of picking up all three points and put pressure on leaders Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Following their dreadful 4-0 UEFA Champions League loss to PSG two weeks ago, the Catalans haven’t quite retaliated in nice fashion after they were lucky to get scrappy 2-1 wins in their next two games, their last two Liga games to Leganés and Atletico Madrid thanks to late goals in both games by Lionel Messi.

Now, Luis Enrique’s men have a chance to give the fans something to be proud of, a big win as they take on the red and whites from Asturia whom they beat 5-0 away from home in the first leg and have scored a whooping 11 goals in their last two encounters whilst conceding none.

Barcelona haven’t lost any of their last 13 games against Sporting Gijon in all competitions, winning 12 and drawing just one.

TEAM NEWS
According to Luis Enrique in his prematch press conference, both Arda Turan and Javier Mascherano who have been put through injury since three games ago could be back and fully fit to feature against Rubi’s side.

Also, it is certain both Jérémy Mathieu and Aleix Vidal are out of the game after both players picked up ankle injuries.. The former is out for the rest of the season while Mathieu could be back in time for Barcelona’s Champions League second leg clash against PSG.

Currently in the best form of his career, Marc-André Ter Stegen is set to start in goal while third choice goalkeeper Jordi Masip won’t make the game due to the presence of Jasper Cillessen.

It is still uncertain the formation Coach Luis Enrique will adopt after his 3-4-3 against Atletico Madrid in the weekend turned out well. Rafinha Alcántara or Ivan Rakitic could start alongside Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets in midfield, André Gomes too although he’s come under fire recently for his poor performances when given the chance to shine.

FORM GUIDE
Barcelona: WDWLWW
Sporting Gijon: DLLWLD

PEVIOUS MEETINGS
Sporting Gijon 0-5 Barcelona
Barcelona 6-0 Sporting Gijon
Sporting Gijon 1-3 Barcelona
Barcelona 3-1 Sporting Gijon
Sporting Gijon 0-1 Barcelona

Predicted Barcelona Lineup: Marc-André Ter Stegen; Javier Mascherano, Gerard Piqué, Samuel Umtiti; Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi; Rafinha Alcántara, Luis Suárez, Neymar

Predicted Sporting Gijon Lineup: Cueller; Lora, Babin, Amorebieta, Elderson; Vesga, Nacho Cases; Douglas Pereira, Xavi Torres, Isma Lopes; Duje Cop

BarcaLens Prediction: Easy win expected, although Sporting Gijon are 17th and are desperate for points… Barcelona 4-0 Sporting Gijon