Top Of The league Sevilla Have A Tough Test At The Camp Nou

A top of the table treat is in store for La Liga watchers this coming weekend, as second-placed Barcelona host current leaders, Sevilla.

The Andalusians are a side that Lionel Messi loves to play and are the team that he’s scored most goals against.

With the leadership at stake, what price the Argentinian inflicting even more damage on this particular opponent? If you fancy a flutter, Messi is at 27/10 to score first.

Complacency has been the Catalans’ downfall in this campaign, and though they’ve a healthy record against Sevilla at the Camp Nou, they’ll not want to underestimate Pablo Machin’s side.

The visitors are capable of scoring from all areas, and special attention should be paid to Jesus Navas. His speed will unsettle Barcelona, and with Andre Silva and Wissam Ben Yedder in fine form centrally they’ll profit from Navas’ accurate delivery. An away victory is keenly priced at 7/1.

Atletico Madrid begin the weekend in third and will look to profit from any result between the two teams above them. A draw between Barcelona and Sevilla is preferable, as if Atleti take all three points at Villarreal that would send the rojiblancos top by a point.

It’ll be no easy task at the Estadio de la Ceramica, however. Despite languishing in 16^th place, the Yellow Submarine have become something of a bogey team for Diego Simeone’s side.

Villarreal have won the last three at home to Atleti and are also undefeated in the last six league games against them. Rarely a high-scoring affair, the battle will suit the visitors on this occasion. Under 2.5 goals in 90 minutes is a reasonable shout and you can get odds of 27/10 on that.

Julen Lopetegui’s Real Madrid need to get back to winning ways, but in order to do that, they have to score, something Los Blancos have found extremely difficult of late.

Barça confirm that Vermaelen will be out for six weeks, which, pending Umtiti's fitness, leaves just Pique and Lenglet for Sevilla, Inter & Madrid next week.

— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) October 15, 2018

With the third worst goals conceded record in the league, Levante represent an ideal opportunity for Real to bag a hatful and regain some confidence in front of goal.

The Valencia-based side have also not won at the Santiago Bernabeu since February 2007, meaning they’d need to play an almost perfect game to even get close to taking the three points.

Real Madrid to win to nil is at 21/10.

Espanyol and Alaves are the two surprise packages keeping pace with the ‘big boys’ and with the former at bottom club, Huesca, who’ve already conceded 18 this season, there’s reason to believe that the Periquitos will still be deep inside the top six by close of play.

Alaves have been playing some remarkably beautiful football under Abelardo this season, and deservedly round off the top six.

A visit to Celta Vigo won’t be without its problems, but with confidence high, there’s every chance that they too will consolidate this weekend.

Someone once famously said that La Liga was boring and uncompetitive. Yeah right!

Match odds

Barcelona

Draw

Sevilla