Overview
Barcelona's comeback celebration at Camp Nou was bustling last weekend with a 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga. However, the joy quickly ended after Chelsea's 0-3 defeat in the Champions League.
Currently, Barcelona is 18th in the Champions League rankings with only 7 points after 5 matches. However, they have regained their domestic form by winning their last three La Liga games against Elche, Celta Vigo and Athletic Bilbao, since a 1-2 defeat to Real Madrid on 26 October.
Before entering the final Champions League match of the year against Eintracht Frankfurt at home - the match Barcelona must win - the Catalan team will have 3 consecutive matches in La Liga against Alaves, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis.
In the history of the confrontation with Alaves, Barcelona won 35 out of the last 49 matches, including a 1-0 victory in the corresponding match last season, showing their dominance over this opponent.
In fact, Alaves are going through a difficult series of matches against Barcelona, having lost all 5 recent La Liga matches against the Catalan giants. The last time they avoided defeat was in October 2021, while Alaves' last win over Barcelona came in September 2016, a 2-1 draw at Camp Nou.
This season, Alaves have a record of 4 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses after 13 rounds, earning 15 points and ranking 14th on the rankings, 4 points more than the 18th-placed team Girona. The Basque side finished 15th last season, so they still have plenty of time to improve their form.
Under the leadership of coach Eduardo Coudet, Alaves will be the younger team in this match. They hope to take advantage of Barcelona's tired mentality after a series of Champions League matches to get positive results.
Personnel situation
Barcelona will continue to be without Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Gavi due to injury, but the Catalan team will be strengthened thanks to the return of Pedri. The Spanish midfielder has not played since the end of October due to hamstring problems, but Hansi Flick confirmed he will return to the squad.
Up front, Marcus Rashford could come on as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, while Eric Garcia has dropped to play as a centre-back to replace Ronald Araujo, who is absent due to illness. Fermin Lopez has been ruled out due to a muscle injury, so Dani Olmo is likely to start in 10th place.
As for Alaves, facundo Garces is serving a long-term suspension, while Nikola Maras is absent due to a knee injury. Calebe needs to be assessed for fitness after missing the match against Celta, the final decision on him will be made in the last minute.
Carlos Vicente is Alaves' most productive player this season, with 5 goals and 2 assists in 14 appearances. He will continue to be the mainstay in the visitors' attack.
Expected lineup:
Barcelona: J. Garcia, Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Balde, De Jong, Casado, Yamal, Olmo, Rashford, Torres.
Alaves: Sivera, Otto, Tenaglia, Pacheco, Yusi, Vicente, Blanco, Suarez, Alena, Martinez, Boye.
The match between Barcelona and Alaves takes place at 10:15 p.m. on November 29 (Vietnam time).
