PREVIEW | Celta v FC Barcelona

It's nearly two weeks since the last Barça match, and the memories of that outing are not good ones. Barça were toppled for only the second time this league season at the Reale Arena, and although they are still well clear at the top of the Liga table, that position would be seriously compromised in the case of another setback, also on the road, this time at the home of Celta Vigo.

It's a Saturday 9pm CET kick-off in Galicia, and our guide should help you work out what time that is in your part of the world and who might be showing the game. 

How things stand

Barça are six points clear of second placed Real Madrid, but the all-whites have yet to play their game with Valencia, which was cancelled in the wake of the disastrous floods that hit their opponent's region. This weekend Madrid have a Sunday fixture away to local rivals Leganés. Third placed Atlético are at home to Alavés in Saturday's 4-15pm CET kick-off.

The game also comes just three days before Barça are in action once again, this time in Europe as they entertain Brest for the very first time.

Celta have been having a very up and down season under Claudio Giráldez, picking up enough points against the lower ranked teams but struggling when they have faced the bigger sides. They're currently eleventh and need to start picking up more points if they don't want to miss out European football for another year.  

Did you know?

Barça have lost seven times at Celta's Balaídos stadium this century. The only place where they have suffered more defeats is the Santiago Bernabéu.

No fewer than four Barça players are currently in the top ten highest goalscorers in La Liga: Robert Lewandowski (14), Raphinha (7), Dani Olmo (5) and Lamine Yamal (5). 

In last season's games against Celta, the spectacular late comeback to win 3-2 and the 2-1 win in Vigo, Lewandowski scored four of Barça's five goals. Clearly a side he likes to score against. But on the negative side, Iagos Aspas of Celta has scored more goals than any other player (11) against Barça this century. Two more goals would make him the highest ever scorer in meetings between these sides, even more than Leo Messi.

Since drawing 0-0 at Athletic Club last March, Barça have gone for 24 league games without a single draw. Another such result on Saturday would match the team's longest ever streak without any games ending in a tie, set in 2017.

Celta are fourth in La Liga for goals scored (20) but second from bottom when it comes to goals conceded (22). With Barça having outscored everyone, we can expect plenty of goals in this game.

Team news

Robert Lewandowski was unable to help Poland avoid relegation from the top flight of the Nations League last week, but it seems his back troubles are now behind him and he is back in the squad for Saturday's game. Ferran Torres and Eric Garcia were also able to train this week, but aren't ready for inclusion in the squad, but Héctor Fort is also back to full fitness and is also included in the list of players to make the trip to Vigo. 

Barça sorely missed the services of Lamine Yamal against Real Sociedad, and the youngster will sit this one out too. Ansu Fati's name has also been added to an injury list that also includes Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo, as well as Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is out for the long term.

Celta have fewer concerns, although there are question marks over the fitness of Luca de la Torre, Jailson and Sergio Carreira. The game also presents an opportunity for the Barça lads to be reunited with three old friends. All of Óscar Mingueza, Ilaix Moriba and Marcos Alonso have an FC Barcelona past, the latter as recently as last season.

Hansi says

"We expect a good match. It's always important to come back strong after a break, and that's our goal."

"Things didn’t go well against Real Sociedad, but it wasn’t because Lamine Yamal wasn’t there. He’s a very important player, but we have to adapt to the situation. I’m not worried. He’ll play when he’s ready. It’s important for him to return at 100% … Maybe we’re a bit limited by Lamine’s absence, but we have high-quality players who can play in various positions. We assess what we’ll need for the next match and plan accordingly."

"Araujo might return to training on Sunday, but not at 100%."

"Casadó played for Spain just as he does here. He needs to keep it up. I’m very pleased."