Barcelona vs Eibar preview, predictions & confirmed line-ups
Barcelona will look to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid when they host struggling Eibar on Saturday.
Quique Setien’s side currently trail their arch-rivals by one point after 24 games but are on a run of three consecutive La Liga wins.
Eibar travel to the Camp Nou with a completely different set of concerns, sitting just three points clear of the relegation zone and without a win in three La Liga games.
Read on for our preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Barcelona vs Eibar and where can I watch live?
Competition: La Liga
Venue: Camp Nou
Date: Saturday, 22 February 2020
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Barcelona vs Eibar
19 Oct 2019: Eibar 0-3 Barcelona (La Liga)
19 May 2019: Eibar 2-2 Barcelona (La Liga)
13 Jan 2019: Barcelona 3-0 Eibar (La Liga)
17 Feb 2018: Eibar 0-2 Barcelona (La Liga)
19 Sep 2017: Barcelona 6-1 Eibar (La Liga)
Aggregate Score: Barcelona (WDWWW) 16-3 Eibar (LDLLL)
Ones to watch
Barcelona: Frenkie de Jong
Barça have had their struggles in defence this season but when they get a stranglehold on possession, few can stop them.
Dutch sensation Frenkie de Jong plays a key role in the Blaugrana midfield, controlling the tempo with his metronomic passing and ensuring they remain the dominant force in every game they play.
Lionel Messi aside, he’ll be one of the first Eibar must stop if they’re to stand a chance here.
Key stat: De Jong has completed 92.34% of his passes in La Liga this season.
Eibar: Fabian Orellana
Chances will be at a premium for Eibar in this one, so top scorer Fabian Orellana will have to be alive to any opportunities that may come his way.
The 34-year-old Chilean winger has six La Liga goals so far this season and his dribbling and trickery comfortably make him Eibar’s biggest attacking threat.
Key stat: Orellana has completed 52 dribbles in La Liga this season, at least 33 more than any other Eibar player.
Confirmed Barcelona line-up
Your starting 1️⃣1️⃣ for #BarçaEibar!
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 22, 2020
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Confirmed Eibar line-up
📋 HAMAIKAKOA | ALINEACIÓN#BarçaEibar pic.twitter.com/lBTHTP7t7Y
— SD Eibar (@SDEibar) February 22, 2020
Squawka prediction
Barcelona have been wildly inconsistent, but when they face Eibar it usually ends in a comfortable win with a ton of goals.
Los Armeros are desperately battling against relegation and while they currently sit just outside the bottom three, a defeat here could land them in real trouble.
Don’t expect any miracles from the visitors in this one.