PREVIEW | FC Barcelona v Alavés

Last Sunday saw Barça bring their recent indifferent league form to an end with a 7-1 victory against Valencia. It was more than just a win though, given the resounding result and the style of the football played, much to the delight of the fans present at the Estadi Olímpic. Now another home game is almost upon us as the blaugranes take on Alavés to fulfil the LaLiga matchday 22 fixture (kick-off 2.00pm CET), with three points needed to keep up the pressure in the race for the title.

Third home game in a row

Hansi Flick's side also had a midweek fixture at home of course, the eighth and final game of the UCL league phase, which they drew 2-2 against Atalanta. This means the game against Alavés will make it three in a row at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in a week. Going into the latest LaLiga gameweek, the blaugranes had 42 points and are in third place in the table. Barça's two main rivals for the league title are in first and second, and they both played on Saturday, with Real Madrid losing 1-0 away at Español to remain on 49 points and Atlético Madrid winning 2-0 at home to Mallorca to move to 48 points. Athletic Club are the closest challengers behind the blaugranes, who were on 40 points before this gameweek's fixtures.

Lewy hat-trick at the Mendizorroza stadium

The most recent meeting between the Catalans and the Basques was the game at the Mendizorroza stadium in this season's first set of fixtures. On 6 October 2024, the blaugranes left with the three points (0-3) thanks to a Robert Lewandowski hat-trick in the first 32 minutes. The Polish marksman seems to relish playing Alavés, as the number nine has scored six goals in three games against them. His average of two goals a game is something he also achieved against Elche – his highest average against one opponent in his entire career.

Kike García in form

The visitors are coming into the game in decent shape, especially away from home, as they haven't lost any of their last three away games in LaLiga (one win and two draws). Furthermore, since Eduardo Coudet took over as coach (prior to matchday 16), they have only lost one game in the domestic competition. The Argentinian coach also knows what a win away at Barça feels like, having coached Celta Vigo to a 1-2 win in the matchday 37 fixture of the 2020/21 season. The blue-and-whites can also count on their in-form striker Kike García to give the blaugranes something to think about.

Three key players missing

The 35-year-old forward has scored six goals in his last six games, making it nine for the season so far and he is the leading Spanish goalscorer in the major five leagues in Europe. However, Alavés arrive at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys with three key players missing – Antonio Sivera, Joan Jordán, and Abqar. Keeper Sivera has been out since 22 December after picking up an injury against Valencia, while Jordán has also been on the injury list since the game against Girona on 11 January. Usually a feature at centre back, Abqar is fit, but he is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards for the second time this season.