Real Oviedo v Barcelona – Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview for Real Oviedo v Barcelona

Seeking to close the gap on rivals Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table, Barcelona travel to the Estadio Carlos Tartiere to face newly-promoted Real Oviedo on Thursday night.

The Catalan giants have picked up 13 points from their opening five matches, already 10 more than their opponents, who have lost four of their first five outings.

Barcelona’s form since the international break has been hugely encouraging: they have won three matches in the space of seven days across different competitions, scoring 11 goals and conceding just one.

A 6-0 demolition of Valencia was followed by a 2-1 victory at Newcastle in the Champions League, before Flick’s side eased past Getafe 3-0 last weekend.

Ferran Torres has been their key man, scoring twice against Getafe to take his tally to a team-high four goals this season. With Hansi Flick praising his team’s ability to break down low-block defences, Barca arrive in Oviedo in high spirits and chasing a seventh straight Thursday victory in La Liga.

Oviedo, meanwhile, are back in the top flight for the first time in 24 years after winning the Segunda Division playoffs, but their early struggles are clear.

Veljko Paunovic’s men sit 17th, one point above the relegation zone, with only one win so far – a narrow 1-0 home success against Real Sociedad.

They have scored just one goal across their five games, the fewest in the league, and are coming off a 1-0 defeat to Elche.

Interestingly, Oviedo have found ways to trouble Barcelona historically, scoring in each of their last 12 La Liga meetings. They even beat Barca 1-0 in their last top-flight encounter back in May 2001.

Team news for Real Oviedo v Barcelona

Real Oviedo will be without several players: Nacho Vidal (hamstring), Luka Ilic (ankle), Alvaro Lemos (knee), David Costas and Ovie Ejaria (muscle) are all sidelined.

Federico Vinas returns from suspension and could challenge veteran striker Salomon Rondon, who is yet to score in four games.

Paunovic may opt for a back three, with Lucas Ahijado and Rahim Alhassane providing width, while midfield veterans Santiago Colombatto and Santi Cazorla push for starts.

Barcelona’s injury list remains long. Fermin Lopez is out for three weeks with a groin injury, while Gavi is sidelined long-term after knee surgery.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back) and Alejandro Balde (hamstring) are still unavailable. Lamine Yamal is a doubt with a groin issue and will face a late fitness test.

Flick could rotate, with Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araújo, Marc Casado, Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji all in line to start after being benched against Getafe.

Expected line-ups for Real Oviedo v Barcelona

Real Oviedo: Escandell; Bailly, Carmo, Calvo; Ahijado, Dendoncker, Reina, Alhassane; Colombatto; Chaira, Rondon

Barcelona: J. Garcia; Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin; Pedri, De Jong, Casado; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres

How to watch Real Oviedo v Barcelona: TV channel, online stream

Fans in the United Kingdom can watch Real Oviedo v Barcelona live on LaLigaTV via Premier Sports, with streaming also available through the Premier Player app.

Kick-off at Estadio Carlos Tartiere is scheduled for 8:00pm BST.

The stats for Real Oviedo v Barcelona

• Real Oviedo have scored in each of their last 12 La Liga games against Barcelona (19 goals in total)
• Barcelona have won their last six La Liga matches played on a Thursday, equalling their longest streak on this day in league history
• Oviedo have netted just one goal in five games this season – the lowest tally in La Liga
• Ferran Torres leads Barcelona’s scoring charts with four goals this term
• Barcelona have lost three of their last four away matches against Real Oviedo

Prediction

Oviedo’s historical record suggests they are capable of causing Barcelona problems, but their lack of attacking output this season makes an upset unlikely.

Prediction: Real Oviedo 0-3 Barcelona