FC Barcelona will play against Leganes this Saturday in La Liga after a mixed week. In their previous home game, managed by Hansi Flick, they drew 1-1 with Real Betis but then won their Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Borussia Dortmund 4-0. Despite the draw in La Liga, Barcelona actually increased their lead over Real Madrid because Real Madrid lost to Valencia and then suffered a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg.
Leganes are not in good form, having won only once in their last six league matches. They have lost three and drawn one of their last four games and are currently 18th in the table, two points from safety. Lamine Yamal is expected to play on Saturday, even with a minor injury from the Borussia Dortmund game. He may feature alongside Gavi, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres, as Robert Lewandowski is likely to be rested for the Champions League second leg.
Match Details
- Match: Leganes vs. FC Barcelona
- Date: Saturday, April 12
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Municipal de Butarque, Leganes, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
Betting Odds
| Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Leganes to win | +750 |
| Draw | +475 |
| FC Barcelona to win | -340 |
Previous Meeting
Barcelona and Leganes last played on December 15 in La Liga, where Leganes surprisingly won 1-0 in Barcelona. Sergio Gonzalez scored the goal, in what was a low point for Flick`s Barcelona this season.
Barcelona`s Perspective
Hansi Flick spoke before the game, saying, “It`s important to play with the same focus and desire as in the Champions League. We must show our strength. With only eight league games left, we need to push hard to win the title. To be champions, we need to prove it in these matches.”
He added, “Leganes beat us before, they`ve beaten Atletico Madrid and challenged Real Madrid. They are good at defending and attacking quickly. We need to be careful and very focused. We are leaders and need to act like it. They are fighting relegation, making it a tough game. We`ll assess player fitness and make necessary team changes.”
Projected Starting Lineups
Leganes: Marko Dmitrovic; Sergio Gonzalez, Matija Nastasic, Renato Tapia; Valentin Rosier, Seydouba Cisse, Yvan Neyou, Javi Hernandez; Juan Cruz, Dani Raba, Diego Garcia.
FC Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Alejandro Balde; Pedri, Frankie De Jong; Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Ferran Torres.
Key Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal, FC Barcelona: Lamine Yamal is expected to perform well again after a strong Champions League game where he scored and helped set up another goal. Despite a minor injury, he is likely to start and lead the team.
Match Storyline
Will Flick Rotate the Squad Well? Flick needs to manage player rotation to keep the team fresh during a busy period. Barcelona are still competing in La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey, where they will play Real Madrid in the final on April 26, and potentially the Champions League semifinals soon after.
Match Prediction
Barcelona is expected to win this match after their 4-0 Champions League victory before their second leg in Dortmund.
Prediction: FC Barcelona 3, Leganes 0
