If you show someone from 2019 the La Liga table as it stands today, they would have thought it was a sick joke, yet here we are. Barcelona is languishing in 7th place in the Spanish top flight, and only managing a measly 7 wins across 17 games this campaign.

The management problems, as well as exodus of several high-profile players from the Blaugrana have resulted in a whimpering season we have seen thus far from the Catalans. Can they turn it around at the midway point of the season as they travel to Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán this Wednesday?

After managing a close 3-2 win at 17th placed Elche, Barcelona receives a much needed boost to their defenses as veteran Gerard Pique returns from a one-match ban. Up front, Nico Gonzalez looks set to lead the offense alongside Philippe Coutinho and Abde Ezzalzouli. Barcelona manager and club legend Xavi will be hoping that his usage of young blood in the lineups will be a key ingredient in the resurrection of the Catalan giants, after saying that Barcelona have “lost their style of play” in an interview.

Flying high from a last-gasp 2-1 triumph over top of the table rivals Atletico Madrid and 3 consecutive wins, Sevilla enjoys the home crowd advantage heading into this clash. With most of their squad available, Josep Loptegui faces issues at right-back, as Gonzalo Montiel out due to injury. However, up front and in the middle of the park, Sevilla look to be at full-strength and would likely look to use that to their advantage, and press up high from the opening whistle.

Both teams have 3 wins in their last 5 games, as well as a draw and a loss each. With Xavi at the helm at Barcelona, things have seemingly turned around, but much slower than needed, as he had admitted that the job “was harder than he had thought”. 

Coupled with an incredible looking Sevilla squad, it seems that a Sevilla win at home is the likely outcome.