PREVIEW: Eibar v FC Barcelona

Barça head into the game against Eibar knowing that another win will allow them to finish a whopping 13 points ahead of their nearest challengers, Atlético Madrid. 

The rival

Top scorer: Charles (14)
Coach: José Luis Mendilibar
Ex-blaugranes in the team: Marc Cucurella and Marc Cardona (both on loan from FC Barcelona)
La Liga record (2018/19): P37 W11 D13 L13

Current form

#12 Eibar L W W L L D
#1 Barça W L L W W W

Interesting stats

Barça have kept a clean sheet at Ipurua on their last four visits in all competitions and have been winning at half-time and full-time in all of those games.

Barça have won their last nine against Eibar, scoring at least two goals in every one of those matches.

The squad

Cillessen, Iñaki Peña, N. Semedo, Piqué, I. Rakitic, Sergio, Todibo, Messi, Malcom, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, S. Roberto, Aleñá, Vidal, Umtiti, Riqui Puig, Abel Ruiz, Wague, Carles Pérez.

Left out due to coach's decision are Murillo and Vermaelen, while Ter Stegen, Coutinho, Arthur, Suárez, O. Dembélé, Rafinha, and Boateng are injured. 

Coaches’ comments

Ernesto Valverde was happy with the test he believes Sunday’s opponents will provide, saying at his press conference that; “They’re not playing for anything anymore, but Eibar always have good intensity and a great pace to their play, and that will be good for us to prepare for the Cup final.”

José Luis Mendilibar simply said “I hope that the game against Barcelona is one that we win.”