DROP YOUR PREDICTION WHO WILL WIN
Against a Sevilla side in transition and having made a long midweek trip, our tipster is backing the La Liga champions to secure a high-scoring triumph in Andalusia on Sunday ev...
The traditional curtain-raiser to the La Liga season is a repeat of the Copa Del Rey final in May, with Barcelona and Sevilla clashing once more, this time over two legs. The Copa was won by Barcelona in extra time as the Catalans sealed a domestic double which means another meeting with the beaten finalists. Sevilla of course have already been in competitive action this week, travelling to the north of Norway to fulfil their obligation as Europa League holders and contesting the UEFA Super Cup.
The Andalusians lost in the worst way possible, conceding an equaliser against Real Madrid in the 93rd minute before going down to 10 men at the start of extra time and then conceding a winner with practically the last kick before penalties. The game will have been draining for Jorge Sampaoli's men in every sense and the Argentine manager was frustrated that his new charges failed to capitalise on their period of dominance in the second half.
The side from Seville therefore may be a little less fresh for the tie at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan than their Catalan counterparts, who themselves warmed up for the game with a 3-2 win over Sampdoria in the Joan Gamper Trophy, the traditional friendly played at the start of every season. Both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored in that game and they will be available for the match in Andalusia.
Messi and Suarez both endured difficult summers with disappointment at the Copa America for Argentina and Uruguay respectively, while Messi also had several off-field issues to contend with. That could mean both men are particularly eager to get the season started, although the pair will be missing the third member of the Blaugrana's famed attacking trident as Neymar continues to try at lead Brazil to Olympic glory. In his place Denis Suarez is likely to start, with the former youth player rejoining the side after an excellent season at Villarreal. Sevilla have a solid record at home to Barca, having beaten them last season and held them to a 2-2 draw the campaign prior to that. Nevertheless, bet365 make the side from the south of Spain the clear outsiders at 4/1 (5.00), while the draw is offered at 3/1 (4.00) and Luis Enrique's men are priced 8/13 (1.62). Of course, it is understandable to find Barca odds-on and logic would dictate that they have a great chance of winning, yet more tempting than backing them outright is to back them to win and concede at 2/1 (3.00).
Sevilla have scored in nine of their last ten meetings with the Catalan club, with this selection paying out in six of those last ten matches. Sampaoli's sides tend to have goals in them, yet it is difficult to see them outscoring the league champions and this looks like a pretty tempting price for a selection that has proved a regular winner in recent meetings between these teams.