La Liga: Can Barca Expect a Goal Bonanza?

Barcelona vs Eibar

Barcelona have not been at their best this season.

In fact, in other seasons they may have struggled to be at the summit at the halfway stage with 12 wins, four draws and two defeats from their opening 18 games.

Yet, as far as the Catalans are concerned, they remain the undisputed number one in La Liga.

They are favourites to retain the title with arch-rivals Real Madrid well off the pace and struggling in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era and Atletico Madrid still lacking the consistency needed for a full title tilt.

Add in the fact that third-place Sevilla are separating the Madrid rivals but not expected to last the pace, it means Barcelona remain overwhelming favourites to win the top domestic prize.

Talking Points

That is not to knock Barca’s first half of the campaign, SBOBET fans.

Barca seem intent on continuing their domestic domination. They hold a five-point advantage at the top and have a goal difference more than double of anyone else.

The Copa del Rey midweek defeat was a setback but no more, and key players are set to return for this encounter and, possibly, the second leg of the cup tie.

Perhaps, coach Ernesto Valverde took advice from former skipper Carles Puyol who suggested Europe should be more of a priority than the Copa.

Winners of the competition for the past four years, Puyol suggested they consider sacrificing their progress knowing they have failed to impress in the Champions League in recent seasons and with a last 16 tie against Lyon on the horizon.

Many players considered to be in the first-choice starting XI are set to return for this game, although whether Munir El Haddadi is included in the squad remains to be seen as he seems set to move to Sevilla during this month’s transfer window where reportedly a three- or four-year contract awaits.

Barcelona sell Munir El Haddadi to Sevilla

A year after joining the club for big money, Philippe Coutinho remains on the fringes and has recently lost his place in the team to Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo. He last started a league game against Villarreal at the start of December.

Yet he remains a genuine top talent on his day and, who knows, perhaps his late goal in the Copa del Rey defeat to Levante will act as the pick-me-up for the second half of the season.

This is the first of three home games in eight days, two in the league and one in the cup, which means the fans will have ample opportunities to show the support necessary to help Barça remain league leaders and maintain their challenge for a fifth Copa del Rey in a row.

This should be a routine victory.

Although Eibar should never be written off as they regularly continue to punch above their weight, it must be remembered they have not won a game since beating Real Madrid at the end of November. In fact, they have picked up just four points from a possible 15 and have been drawn into the relegation battle.

They are also struggling without the influential Ivan Ramis who is unavailable with a muscle problem. The Basque outfit has only lost two league games this season in which the centre-back has figured.

Worse still, Eibar’s total of five away goals so far this term is the lowest in the division. Moreover, their trips to the Camp Nou have resulted in heavy losses since gaining promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history in 2014: they were defeated 3-0, 3-1, 4-2 and, most recently, 6-1.

If goals are your currency, this encounter will be one to watch in La Liga 2019 highlights.

History

Barcelona have won all eight of their meetings since Eibar were promoted four and a half years ago.

Last season’s 6-1 success, in which Lionel Messi scored four of the goals, was followed up by a hard-fought 2-0 away success, courtesy of goals from Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba.