Deportivo Alaves 0-2 FC Barcelona Highlights (Lionel Messi’s brace secure three points for Barcelona)

FC Barcelona are set to play their second league game of the season against a very familiar opposition in Deportivo Alaves this Saturday, 26 August 2017. Both teams meet three times last season and their most recent game was that 3-1 win for Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey 2017 final. This week’s fixture kickoff at around 17:00 uk time and beIN Sports will have live coverage in the US while SkySports might broadcast the match live in the UK.

Match Highlights:

Deportivo Alaves 0-2 FC Barcelona Highlights
[ Spanish Primera Liga 2017-18 Match ]
39′ 0 – 0 (Missed Penalty) Lionel Messi missed the penalty in first half after Alaves had frustrated Barcelona.
55′ 0 – 1 Lionel Messi was on target just after the halftime to put Barcelona in lead and he was not done yet.
66′ 0 – 2 Lionel Messi scored his and Barcelona’s second to kill the game off.

Barcelona are in kind of free fall both on and off the field with troubles with management and players under-performing. They had to dealt a big blow of Neymar leaving the club and no suitable replacement have been signed with only a week left in transfer window. A lot is happening behind the doors at Barcelona who are desperate to sign Dembele, Coutinho and probably Angel Di Maria.

Last time these two meet was back in May 2017 when Barcelona ran out comfortable 3-1 winners in the Copa Del Rey final. However Alaves did get that historic 2-1 win against Barcelona at the start of last season. While Barcelona put 6 past Alaves in the away game.

FC Barcelona 3-1 Alaves – May 2017
[ Copa Del Rey 2017 Final ]
30′ 1 – 0 Lionel Messi scored the opening game for Barcelona as they took the lead in the final of Copa Del Rey.
33′ 1 – 1 Theo Hernandez made it 1-1 on the night minutes later and it looked like game on for rest of the match.
45′ 2 – 1 Neymar scored what will prove to be his final competitive goal for Barcelona.
45′ 3 – 1 Francisco Alcacer was also on scoresheet as Barcelona completed a routine 3-1 win to win Copa Del Rey.

However they take on Alaves side who already defeated Barcelona at Camp Nou earlier in the season. Alaves are having a wonderful season as they are pretty safe from relegation and also qualified for Copa Del Rey final which will be against Barcelona in May 2017.

Possible Starting Lineups: Marc Ter Stege is set to replace Jasper Cillessen in starting lineup having sit out for Copa Del Rey tie while Neymar is set to feature alongside Messi and Suarez upfront while trusted trio of Iniesta, Busquets and Rakitic to playing in central midfield roles. This is how I expect both teams to lineup on Saturday.

Match Predictions: Barcelona’s two defeat in the league this season include that historic win by Alaves at Camp Nou earlier in the season and Luis Enrique will be hoping to avoid such result again. Messi has been in inspired form this season although he is not scoring as freely as he used to but he is more involved in the build up and creating more chances than ever. He is single handedly keeping Barcelona in the title race and this is about time for Neymar and Suarez to start firing as they head to business end of the season. I am going with a comfortable win for Barcelona in this one.