Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruna: Preview and Prediction

Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruna
Spanish La Liga
Date: Saturday, 15th October 2016,
Kick-Off at 15:15 UK
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona.

It is troubled times for Barcelona as they suffered yet another defeat in the La Liga in their last round fixture. This time to familiar foes Celta Vigo by a 4-3 margin and were already 3 goals down in the first half. Lionel Messi was sidelined for the match and he will be missed once again when they host Deportivo on Saturday. There are further blows as Neymar is also a doubt alongside their leading assist maker Sergio Roberto. The Blaugrana will be coming into this match sitting fourth in the table with a 2 point gap from joint leaders Real and Atletico Madrid.

The things are not looking good for Deportivo La Coruna as well. The 2-1 win against Gijon on matchday 7 is their second win this season, with the previous coming on the opening week of the new season. There will be a slight improvement in confidence as they have now ended their five match win drought. While the head-to-head stats against Barcelona is also encouraging.

Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruna: Head-to-Head stats

Deportivo earned back-to-back draws in their last two trips to Camp Nou, both by the 2-2 score-line. However Barcelona have thrashed Deportivo by heavy margins in their last two trips to Riazor.

Barcelona are unbeaten in the last 12 league meetings with Deportivo in all venues with 8 wins and 4 draws.

The Blaugrana haven’t lost at home to Deportivo since 2003 which records a 10 match unbeaten run with 7 wins and 3 draws. However, the three draws came in the last 4 fixtures.

Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruna: Prediction

If both Messi and Neymar are deemed unfit to start, Deportivo are in for a big surprise here. Deportivo might not have won at Camp Nou since 2003, but three draws from last four visits to the stadium is something that is encouraging. Also Barcelona are well short of their usual best at the moment with injuries to key players occurring at the wrong moments. Suarez and Arda Turan will be key here in the absence of his attacking partners. But we believe Deportivo are going to earn a draw here and if they lose it will be by the slimmest of the margins.