Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during Barcelonas 5-1 victory over Sevilla at Camp Nou on November 22, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain.(Getty)
La Liga leaders Barcelona head to Sevilla to play Champions League chasing Sevilla on April 11th, 2015. Barcelona beat Almeria 4-0 on April 8th, 2015 to stay four points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Sevilla is tied with Valencia for the final Champions League position in fourth of La Liga and beat Levante 2-1 on April 7th, 2015. Barcelona beat Sevilla 5-1 on November 22nd, 2014 in Barcelona.
Barcelona has everything to still play for this season, as they lead La Liga, are in the Champions League quarterfinals, and are in the final of the Copa del Rey. Barcelona has nine straight victories in all competitions and is a sterling 20-0-2 in 2015, with nine victories over teams that were still participating in European play when Barcelona beat them. Barcelona’s next game is their Champions League quarterfinal matchup with Paris Saint-Germain in Paris, France on April 15th, 2015.
Although they do not have the same stakes as their opponent, Sevilla still has had a very successful season and is looking for their first Champions League appearance since 2010-2011 in 2015-2016. Sevilla is 6-1-3 is in their last 10 La Liga matches and has not dropped a point since a 0-0 tie with Atletico Madrid on March 1st, 2015. Sevilla is also still alive in the Europa League as they have a tie with Zenit St. Petersburg on April 16th, 2015 and look to defend their Europa League title.
The Basics
Who:
What:
La Liga Game Week 31
When:
Saturday, April 11
Where:
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in Sevilla, Spain
Time:
2:00 PM Eastern Time
Channel:
beIN Sports (US)/Canal+ 1 (Spain)/For those looking for the channel in your home country, click here
Odds: Sevilla +430, Barcelona -156, Draw +281
Stats You Need to Know
Scouting Sevilla
Record: 19-4-7, 5th (61 points)
Coach: Unai Emery, 3rd season
Goals Per Game: 1.83
Clean Sheets: 13
Leading Goal Scorer: Carlos Bacca, 17
Assist Leader: Gerard Deulofeu/Carlos Bacca, 5
Card Leader: Grzegorz Krychowiak, ten yellow cards and a red card
Scouting Barcelona
Record: 24-2-4, 1st (74 points)
Coach: Luis Enrique, 1st season
Goals Per Game: 2.83
Clean Sheets: 16
Leading Goal Scorer: Lionel Messi, 32
Assist Leader: Lionel Messi, 15
Card Leader: Dani Alves/Javier Mascherano, six yellow cards and a red card
