Barcelona vs Alaves: Preview and Prediction

Barcelona vs Alaves
2016/17 Spanish La Liga
Date: Saturday, 10 September 2016,
Kick-Off: 19:30 UK 
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona.

Barcelona host Laliga new boys for their 3rd league game of 2016/2017 season.

The Blaugrana kick started the league campaign with a 6-3 thrashing of Betis at the Nou camp, and followed it with a hard earned triumph over Athletic club. Barcelona clash with Alaves will be their 2nd game at the Nou this season.

After almost a decade disappearance from topflight football, Alaves returned to Spanish football summit. The glorious one started their Laliga campaign with 2 draws, with one nicked off from Spanish giant “Atletico Madrid”.

Barcelona Vs Alaves: Key Facts

• Barcelona is currently on 9 game winning streaks in 9 competitive games. The Blaugrana have also failed to drop points in the last 3 league games at home, conceding 2 goals, and scoring 17 in those 3 games.
• Alaves is locking horns with Barcelona for the first time since 2012. The newly promoted side have also failed to loss in their last 10 competitive games, and have drawn their first 2 league games in the new season.

Barcelona: Team News

Luis Enrique is faced with challenge of Messi Hamstring injury. The Argentine was pulled out of Argentina squad ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Venezuela.

However, it is that reported the nifty Argentina still got a chance to represent Barcelona for the clash. Andre Gomes is a definite miss for the game due to a foot injury, while Andre Iniesta is reported to be back in training and could be coming on from the bench.

Finally, Brazil Olympics hero “Neymar Jnr” is back from holiday and international break.

Barcelona: Predicted Line-Up (4-3-3)

Ter Stegen: Alba, Umtiti, Pique, Roberto: Busquets, Rakitic, Suarez: Messi, Suarez, Turan

Alaves: Team News

Alaves new signing from Villarreal “Aleksandar Pantic” is a big doubt for this game due to Muscle injury. Moroccan born Alaves defender “Zouhair Feddal” will be unavailable for the second time in a row, due to Ankle injury.

Alaves: Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1)

Pacheco: Kiko, Laguardia, Alexis, Hernandez: Llorente, Garcia- Ibai, Torres, Mendez: Deyverson

Barcelona Vs Alaves: Head to Head

Barcelona maintains 5 straight victory over their Saturday Vistors (i.e Alves), and 3 straight league wins in the last 5 encounter with the Babazorros.

In addition, 2005/2006 season was the last time both sides had an encounter in Spanish Primera league. Barcelona boast of 7 wins in their last 10 encounters with Alaves, compared to Alaves 1 in same number of clashes.

Moreover, Alaves had won once in any their last 5 league visit to Camp Nou. This happened in the 1999/2000 Laliga season.

Barcelona Vs Alaves: Prediction

Barcelona goal scoring form at home is a scary statistics for any visiting side. The Luis Enrique tutored side have scored 17 goals in their last 3 league games at home, and 20 goals in their last 4 competitive games at home.

Moreover, Alaves will put in a good fight at Nou Camp, but I see Barcelona easing pass Alaves with minimum of 2 goals margin.