Barcelona are on a three-match winning streak and have outscored their opponents 11-0 in that time. On Saturday, they head to the Nuevo Estadio Ramon de Carranza to play sixth-placed Cadiz.
The Yellow Submarine are one point and one place ahead of Ronald Koeman’s team heading into the weekend. Koeman is aiming for a fourth straight victory and for Barcelona to crack the top four.
After being largely inconsistent to begin the season, Barcelona have strung together some wins and go into the game in good form.
Koeman does have a big game against Juventus on the horizon as matchday 6’s result will determine which team wins their Champions League group.
Koeman does have fitness and player issues going into the game. No player issue is bigger than that of Lionel Messi. The Argentine is again at odds with Barcelona after their interim president claimed the club should have sold him last summer to ease their financial crisis.
Messi may not play this weekend as an unspecified fitness issue has been cited. If he doesn’t play, Messi will join Ansu Fati on the sidelines, limiting the potential attacking power at Koeman’s disposal.
These teams have not played in La Liga in over a decade. Therefore, little can be gleaned from recent meetings. What can be seen is Cadiz’s atrocious home record in 2020-21.
The Yellow Submarine have not won at home, taking just two point from 15 possible. It is the lowest number of home points in the Primera. Cadiz have only scored twice at home while conceding seven times. Although they have a solid defence, the attack is weak.
Barcelona are winless in three straight away games. However, they have tallied 19 goals in La Liga, the second most of any team. If Messi misses out on the game, the goalscoring responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Antoine Griezmann.
The French World Cup winner’s time at Camp Nou has been largely disappointing. This is his chance to step up and deliver for the club. Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho could be the duo to step forward and provide Barcelona the cutting edge.
Barcelona may not have Messi or Fati in the team, but they should have no issue getting a win against Cadiz. Koeman could rotate his side with a big match against Juventus next week. Expect under 2.5 goals as Barcelona win to nil.