Barcelona are in La Liga action on Sunday night as they take on the newly promoted Leganes in Catalonia.
Lionel Messi was still weaving his magic at Camp Nou the last time these two sides met, with Leganes dropping to the second tier following the Covid-hit 2019/20 campaign. However, the Madrid-based outfit are back in the big time after winning the Segunda Division last season.
Expectations were relatively tame heading into 2024/25, and they enter Sunday’s bout 17th in La Liga. Avoiding relegation is their sole goal this term.
Barcelona, on the contrary, are gunning for the league title. A thrilling race awaits during the second half of the season, with Atletico Madrid suddenly entering the fray after Barca’s tough November. Hansi Flick’s side lead the way through 17 games, but Real Madrid have a boost in the race having played a game fewer than the current leaders.
The Catalonians head into Sunday’s game having secured a huge 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night which all but secured their place in the Champions League round of 16.
Here’s all you need to know about Barca’s upcoming La Liga clash.
Barcelona vs Leganes H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Barcelona |
Leganes |
|---|---|
|
Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Barcelona – 13/12/24 |
Leganes 0-3 Real Sociedad – 08/12/24 |
|
Real Betis 2-2 Barcelona – 07/12/24 |
Estepona 2-2 (4-5p) Leganes – 04/12/24 |
|
Mallorca 1-5 Barcelona – 04/12/24 |
Alaves 1-1 Leganes – 30/11/24 |
|
Barcelona 1-2 Las Palmas – 30/11/24 |
Leganes 0-3 Real Madrid – 24/11/24 |
|
Barcelona 3-0 Brest – 26/11/24 |
Leganes 1-0 Sevilla – 09/11/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Premier Sports Player, LaLigaTV, Premier Sports 1 |
|
United States |
ESPN+, fuboTV, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes |
|
Canada |
TSN+ |
Flick confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Ansu Fati will return to the matchday squad following a spell on the sidelines. The German has also said that Ronald Araujo will play his first minutes of the season, but did not say whether his captain will start on Sunday.
He may want to have Araujo in the XI for Atleti’s visit next weekend.
Raphinha has been withdrawn in recent outings in a bid to manage his workload, but Flick confirmed that Barca’s standout performer won’t be rested this weekend. The Brazilian celebrated his 28th birthday on Saturday.
The hosts are still without Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal. Andreas Christensen is back in training.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Leganes (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Casado; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
A familiar face is set to line up against Barca on Sunday, with Munir El Haddadi, who spent seven years in Catalonia, aiming to haunt his former club.
Munir could come into the visitors’ XI this weekend and start on the right. If he does so, Diego Garcia will likely drop to the bench.
Darko Brasanac, Dani Raba and Enric Franquesa are all out injured, while Valentin Rosier is suspended.
Leganes predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; Alti, Gonzalez, Nastasic, Hernandez; Tapia, Neyou; Munir, Rodriguez, Cruz; De la Fuente.
Barca were caught cold by Las Palmas on home soil last month, and Flick should be concerned with the rate his team are surrendering high-quality chances. However, Sunday’s hosts are getting healthier and the imminent return of Araujo is a timely boost.
Leganes will probably have their moments on Sunday and have proven to be relatively resilient in defence this term, but they surely won’t be able to contain La Liga’s most proficient scorers in Catalonia.
Off the back of a big European win on Wednesday, Barca should take that confidence into their upcoming domestic bout and triumph at a canter.
Prediction: Barcelona 4-1 Leganes
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