A February packed with challenges

Barça head to the Benito Villamarín this Wednesday to face sixth-placed Real Betis in the league, and that's just the first of an action-packed month of fixtures to come in which there are two prime objectives, to stay top of LaLiga and to knock Manchester United out of the Europa League.

Staying on top

Barça are five clear of Real Madrid at the top of the league table and they intend to keep things that way or even better.

It begins with a double bill against the two teams from Seville. First is Betis in a rearranged away fixture (Feb 1 at 9pm CET) and then it's Sevilla at home (Feb 5 at 9pm CET).

That's followed by another tricky away away trip to fifth placed Villarreal (Feb 12 at 9pm CET), and then two more games against Andalusian teams, first at home to Cádiz and then away to Almería, both on dates yet to be announced.

Big game with Man United

Then comes a huge challenge as the Catalans take on one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League, Manchester United. The Red Devils have only lost once this calendar year, and that was a tightly fought 3-2 defeat to leaders Arsenal.

The first leg of the Europa league clash is on February 16 at Spotify Camp Nou and Old Trafford will be the venue exactly a week later on the 23rd. If Barça make it through, they'll learn who they are facing next in the draw the day after the match.