La Liga leaders Barcelona will aim to keep their slender advantage at the top as they host bottom-placed Real Oviedo on Sunday.

Hansi Flick will want his team to rectify the defensive error in their game in a bid to improve their overall performance. Barcelona are clearly the most potent attacking unit in the division, but their knack for conceding goals might become a problem moving forward, which they will be eager to fix against Real Oviedo.

The Blaugrana could find themselves in second spot before they host Real Oviedo, considering Real Madrid will take on Villarreal in Saturday’s late fixture. Either way, Flick will want his side to get the three points against basement side Real Oviedo to either return to the top or increase their advantage.

Meanwhile, they overcame the midweek challenge against Slavia Praha to strengthen their cause to finish in the Champions League top eight. However, Flick will also want amends made in La Liga, considering they lost to Real Sociedad the last time out, which allowed Real Madrid to close the gap on top to just a single point.

Meanwhile, Guillermo Almada is Real Oviedo’s third manager already this season, which showcases the kind of pressure the La Liga newcomers have found themselves in. Following their return to the top flight since 2000/01, they are where many expected them to be, at the bottom of the table.

Real Oviedo have two wins, seven draws and 11 defeats in the top flight this season, and remain stranded some seven points from the nearest safety spot. They also suffered a loss at the hands of Barcelona earlier this season in the reverse fixture, but their last visit to the Blaugrana back in 2000/01 resulted in a 1-0 reverse win, but that may be irrelevant heading into Sunday.

Team News & Tactics

Barcelona

Hansi Flick will have to make do without four of his first-team stars, including Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres, and Andreas Christensen. The latter is not expected to play again this season due to an ACL injury, while the others are expected to return sooner rather than later.

The big boost is the return of star man Lamine Yamal to the squad following his suspension for the UEFA Champions League encounter with Slavia Praha. Flick shall make some key tweaks to his system, as Eric Garcia might deputise in midfield to cover for the injured Pedri.

Frenkie de Jong will take his place in central midfield, while Fermin Lopez will be tasked with the attacking midfield duties by Flick. The return of Yamal certainly puts him straight back on the left wing, which could now see Flick decide on selecting one of Marcus Rashford or Raphinha for the other flank.

The latter could get the nod for this one, although, should Flick decide to rest the Brazilian, the Manchester United loanee might play. Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for Barcelona, in what resembles a strong lineup to face bottom-placed Real Oviedo.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde; Eric Garcia, de Jong; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Real Oviedo

The visitors come to Catalonia with an almost clean bill of health with their squad, as only Eric Bailly and Ovie Ejaria are doubts for this visit to Barcelona.

The Real Oviedo manager may not make any surprising changes to the setup, as he would likely line up with the best eleven he feels is the strongest they have at the moment. David Carmo and David Costas are the likely figureheads in central defence, with Nacho Vidal and Rahim Alhassane in the full-back roles.

Santiago Colombatto and Kwasi Sibo will assume the central midfield roles, while Alberto Reina will play in the more advanced role. Haissem Hassan and Ilyas Chaira will offer wide support, while Federico Vinas will lead the line for Real Oviedo against Barcelona, with the frontman coming into this clash with two goals in as many previous games.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Escandell; Vidal, Carmo, Costas, Alhassane; Colombatto, Sibo; Hassan, Reina, Chaira; Vinas

Key Stats

• Barcelona have a perfect home record this season in La Liga, winning all of their nine games here so far.
• Barcelona have conceded 22 goals in La Liga, the joint-most in the top five.
• Real Oviedo have failed to win their last 13 matches in La Liga.
• Real Oviedo have won just once away from home all season.

Player to Watch

Fermin Lopez

Embed from Getty Images

Lopez has been under the scanner for speculation surrounding his future. Over the last many days, the attacking midfielder has been mentioned as a target for Premier League sides, but Hansi Flick considers him key for the club’s present and future.

Earlier this week, Lopez was instrumental for Barcelona with a brace against Slavia Prague. Flick will hope that performance propels his young attacking midfielder to new heights, and the game against Real Oviedo represents a top-notch opportunity to put in another great performance.

Prediction

Barcelona 4-0 Real Oviedo

Real Oviedo come into this clash against the strongest of all La Liga teams at the moment, particularly away from home. The visitors are sitting bottom of the table, and without a win in 13 games coming into this one, and the pressure will be on them to deliver.

Barcelona will certainly hope that they win and extend their lead at the top rather than restoring the current one-point advantage. However, their 100% record at home in La Liga will be something Hansi Flick will want to extend. The reigning La Liga champions are expected to breeze past Real Oviedo on Sunday.