Barcelona will look to put one hand on second place in La Liga when they play hosts to Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou this Tuesday night with Xavi's men now four points clear of Sevilla just as Celta Vigo aim to finish in the top 12.
The former Barcelona captain has had a topsy-turvy few months in charge of his boyhood club. They’ve found themselves losing to those fighting relegation, out of the Europa League, but with them also rising up from sixth to second during his reign, it’s been a positive beginning.
They made it! 😅 pic.twitter.com/rVvE4z5SNW— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 9, 2022
They made it! 😅 pic.twitter.com/rVvE4z5SNW
Barcelona also made it two wins on the bounce when they beat Copa del Rey winners, Real Betis. Ansu Fati scored with 15 minutes to go, but former Barcelona man, Marc Bartra, would equalise before Jordi Alba struck with seconds on the clock in added time. This run has also meant the club have gone three games without a clean sheet.
It should be relatively straightforward for Xavi's side to get into second now, with Celta Vigo up first, before a trip to Getafe and a season finale against Villarreal.
The recent victory over Betis was Barcelona's 20th of the season, and against a Betis side just off the back of winning the Copa del Rey just as they fight for the Champions League, they are certainly expected to win here.
The Blaugrana are also likely going to see the return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the forward line after he came off the bench last time out and is fit to play.
The attacking options Xavi has at his disposal to work with are arguably the deepest in the league now, and Adama Traore could also get a start now after coming off the bench and impressing once again last time out.
As for Celta Vigo, they are coming off the back of arguably their best performance of the season as they dominated Deportivo Alaves last time out.
Thiago Galhardo scored within just six minutes before Iago Aspas bagged a brace in another excellent display from him. Franco Cervi scored the fourth and final goal of the game.
Eduardo Coudet's side are two points ahead of Rayo Vallecano in the fight for the top 12, and Valencia are only one point clear in 11th too. A victory here would be Celta Vigo's biggest attempt yet to get back into the top half of the table.
Forebet predicts a win for Barcelona, however, and for the game to see over 2.5 goals.