Guaranteed in the last 16 of the King’s Cup, Barcelona return to the field this Saturday, December 2, for the Spanish Championship. In Camp Nou, welcomes Celta, starting at 10am (Brasília time). The game is part of the schedule of the fourteenth round of the 2017/2018 version of the competition.
Barcelona’s recent performance
On Thursday, November 29, the Catalan team did a ‘training’ of luxury for the duel. He beat Murcia 5-0 to return for the fourth round of the King’s Cup. Having already won the first leg 3-0, they confirmed their qualification in the fight to maintain the title.
The coach Ernesto Valverde took advantage of the extremely comfortable situation to give a rest there are his main players and to promote the relay of the cast. That means, in practice, that he can preserve his team to defend the undefeated lead of the Spanish Championship.
With 35 points (11 wins and two draws) from the 39 teams, Barca have four points ahead of Valencia, who are sure to leave the field at the end of the competition regardless of the result against Celtic.
This situation has been frequent for a team that suffered its most recent defeat in August. Since then, in 20 matches, he has won 16 and drawn four. It is even classified in advance for the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Therefore, the December 5 commitment to the continental tournament against Sporting, at home, ends up in second place. That means Valverde must climb the best team he has on Saturday. His only limitations are defender Javier Mascherano (six games in the Spanish 2017/2018 Championship, no goal); Andre Gomes (five games, no goal), Sergi Roberto (nine games, one goal) and Arda Turan (without performances); and striker Ousmane Dembele (two games, no goal).
The current form of Celta
Celta also came on the pitch on Tuesday. In Vigo, he defeated Eibar 1-0 and also secured his passage to the last 16 of the King’s Cup. Although he did not have the same technical resources as Barcelona, the team also managed to save, as it also had a good advantage in match after winning the first leg 2-1.
In the Spanish Championship, your situation can not be considered the best, but also does not get the bad label. After a 1-0 home victory against Levante, the club climbed to 17 points (five wins, two draws and six losses). It came to occupy the ninth position.
It follows outside the zone of classification for European tournaments, a possible goal in front of its capacity of investments. The block of teams that would take place in international competitions next season is closed by Villarreal, sixth-placed, who has four points more than Celta.
To face Barcelona, coach Juan Carlos Unzue must rely on practically all his athletes. Still remains in doubt only in relation to the use of defender Sergio Gomez Sola (ten matches in the Spanish 2017/2018 Championship, one goal). He suffered a calf injury and was out of the last two games. It depends on the new test to know if you will have playing conditions this Saturday.
History of the matches Barcelona vs Celta
The home factor was decisive in the last four games in which Barça and Celta crossed paths. In Catalonia, Barcelona won by 5 to 0 (2016/2017 season) and 6 to 1 (2015/2016). In Vigo, Celta scored 4 to 3 (2016/2017) and 4 to 1 (2015/2016).
Although it does not show a charming football, Barcelona has been able to take advantage of the schedule to take the cast and take advantage of its technical resources. Acting at home and with adequate preparation time, this is the best choice as a guess against Celta. The prize is 1.13 in Rivalo. Draw shows return of 8.50 and successful visitor yields 17.00 for 1.
