The Blaugrana are back in La Liga action tonight as they host a relegation threatened Cadiz at the Camp Nou.
Barça will seek to resume their immaculate form in La Liga and restore the eight point lead at the top of the table. It's that time of the season when fatigue and injuries begin to constitute nuisance but at the same time, the perfect opportunity for the team to show why they deserve the La Liga title this season. The schedule has become even more hectic, but that will be no excuse for not picking up 3 points against their Andalusian visitors.
Even though they're battling to stay up, as they usually do, Cadiz have proved to be a thorn in the flesh of the big sides time and again. Once a bogey team for their hosts, they succumbed to a 0-4 defeat in Andalusia earlier in the season against their hosts, ending what was a remarkable run of results against the Catalans. Having picked up all three points at the Camp Nou last term, they should have a bit of confidence going into this game, even though they've lost their last 2 away games.
INTERESTING STATS
Barcelona have won four out of the last eight matches against Cadiz. While the visitors have twice during this period.
The Catalan giants have the best defensive record in the league. They have only conceded seven goals in 21 matches.
Barcelona lost their last home game against Cadiz 1-0 in April last year. That was their only loss in their last 14 home games against Sergio Gonzalez Soriano’s team.
Barcelona have not lost in their last 12 league matches.
Cadiz have lost their last two away games in the league.
Last five meetings (all in La Liga)
2020-12-05 Cádiz 2-1 Barça
2021-02-21 Barça 1-1 Cádiz
2021-09-23 Cádiz 0-0 Barça
2022-04-18 Barça 0-1 Cádiz
2022-09-10 Cadiz 0-4 Barça
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
Pedri joins Ousmane Dembele in the infirmary after sustaining a hamstring injury midweek. Sergio Busquets however, has been discharged and has returned to the squad, although he is not tipped to start. He's been missed. Ronald Araujo will also sit this one out due to suspension.
Xavi has declared that there will be rotations, so it might be a bit of a challenge guessing the starting XI.
Marc Andre TerStegen will of course be in goal. Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde will return to the lineup and complete the backline with probably Koundé and Alonso. Eric Garcia remains an option.
Sergi Roberto could be in for Koundé at RB or for Pedri in Midfield. Pedri's injury gives way to Pablo Torre, the wonderkid from Racing Santander who is deserving of more minutes and should get them tonight.
Ansu Fati is also tipped to start after a decent Cameo midweek. Gavi, DeJong, Kessie, Raphinha and Lewandowski are all expected to rounded up the starting XI. Ferran Torres still awaits his first start this year.
CADIZ
Sergio Gonzalez has a host of absentees for this clash as well, and that includes Joseba Zaldua, Jon Ander Garrido, Jose Mari (all injured). Victor Chust, Juan Cala, Alvaro Negredo and David Gil remain doubtful.
The visitors will also be without the services of Alfonso Espino due to the yellow card that he picked up in the two-goal success over Girona last time out. Santiago Arzamendia is will replace Espino.
Sergio will go ahead with the 4-4-2 formation. Jeremias Ledesma will start between the sticks. Isaac Carcelen, Luis Hernandez, Rafael Jimenez Jarque, and Arzamendia will be the back four in front of him.
Theo Bongonda, Gonzalo Escalante, Ruben Alcaraz, and Brian Ocampo will anchor the midfield, Roger Marti and Sergi Guardiola will pair up in attack.
Where and when are Barcelona vs Cadiz playing?
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Stadium: Camp Nou
Kick-off Time: Sunday 19 February: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT 21:00 🇳🇬
Referee: Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes
VAR: Jose Luis Gonzalez Gonzalez.
It'll be a daunting task for Cadiz to come to Camp Nou at this moment and get anything out of the game. Barcelona,one of the best teams in Europe right now, should be able to get the job done, whether or not there are rotations.
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