Eibar vs. Barcelona: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream & TV Info
Their story is well known and brought some romance back into La Liga in many respects. A real David against the Goliaths of the Spanish top flight.
Gaizka Garitano deserves great credit for the way that his team has not deviated from a desire to entertain, but such bravado is looking increasingly likely to be their undoing.
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Holding their own in the division and getting as high as eighth seems a very long time ago now and seven defeats in a row has left them just three points above third bottom.
It certainly isn't the best preparation for facing the Catalans either.
Luis Enrique will expect a professional performance as Barca continue to pile on the pressure at the top of the table.
Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 5 p.m. GMT/12 p.m ET
Venue: Ipurua Municipal Stadium, Eibar, Spain
TV Info: Sky Sports 5 (UK only)/beIN Sports 1 (U.S. only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only)/beIN Sports Connect (U.S. only)
Form Lines
| Eibar | Barcelona |
| L 1-2 vs. Levante | W 6-1 vs Rayo Vallecano |
| L 0-1 vs. Athletic Club | W 3-1 vs Villarreal |
| L 0-1 vs. Villarreal | W 3-1 vs Granada |
| L 0-1 vs. Elche | W 2-1 vs Manchester City |
| L 0-2 vs. Deportivo La Coruna | L 0-1 vs Malaga |
| L 1-3 vs. Atletico Madrid | W 5-0 vs. Levante |
WhoScored.com
Predicted Formations
For a large part of the first game at Camp Nou, Eibar could, deservedly, have gone ahead.
That they did not while on top came back to haunt them as Barca cruised to a 3-0 win.
Garitano set his stall out early in the game with a very defensive 5-3-2 formation, aiming to hit Barca on the break. Given their current predicament, you would imagine that he'll stick with the same again.
Despite having a tough time of it personally, Xabi Irureta has still been entrusted as the custodian between the sticks.
Eneko Boveda and Abraham will provide the width in a five-man defence that will also include Borja Ekiza, Lillo and Raul Navas.
Like so many teams before them, Eibar are likely to look towards their tightly packed defence and also midfield, to close the lines quickly, making access to goal difficult.
Dani Garcia misses out after his red card against Levante, giving Garitano a headache he doesn't need.
Dejan Lekic and Manu del Moral should hopefully link well, with the latter playing just in behind Lekic, looking to profit from knock-downs and link play from the midfield of Saul Berjon, Javi Lara and Ander Capa.
We could well see a return to rotation for this one by Luis Enrique.
Both Manchester City and Real Madrid are upcoming within the week and arguably Lucho can do without further injury or suspension for his two biggest games of the season.
Neymar is available but will be rested. Pedro Rodriguez and Luis Suarez will start alongside both Messi.
Sergio Busquets is still injured so Javier Mascherano will continue in his favoured defensive midfield role. The tireless running of Rafinha and the expert passing of Xavi complete the midfield.
At the back, more changes should be expected right across the line with Martin Montoya needing a late fitness test to determine whether it is he or Douglas who joins Marc Bartra, Gerard Pique and Adriano Correia.
Claudio Bravo, who else, keeps goal.
Player to watch
Saul Berjon may not be prolific in front of goal, but when he finds the net it's usually spectacular.
Against Levante last time out, and against the same opponents earlier in the season, the volleys he has scored have been out of the very top bracket.
Unfortunately for him and Eibar, both goals were in vain, as his side failed to go on and win in either game.
Although Barca will be expecting to control the games for long periods, if they take their eye off of Saul for a minute, he has the capability to score from distance given the opportunity.
Key Battle
Raul Navas has been a relatively consistent performer when called upon this season but he will face his sternest test yet when Lionel Messi comes to town.
With eight yellow cards already to his name per WhoScored, clearly discipline remains an issue and clouds opinions of the player.
In any event, if Navas can stifle the creativity of the Argentine for long periods, frustrating him in the process, then Eibar have half a chance.
The reality is that's all they'll have to cling to because if the Catalans strike first, there will only be one winner and the scoreline could get embarrassing.
Odds
The following pre-match odds are available via our betting partner Oddsshark:
Home Win: 12/1
Away Win: 25/147
Draw: 13/2
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