Barcelona vs. Levante: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Barcelona get straight back into Liga duty after their midweek Champions League exertions, with Levante the visitors to Camp Nou.
Despite the league campaign being just three games old, Barca are the only side in the division with a 100 per cent record. Arguably the three matches have been some of their toughest assignments and yet they've been negotiated with flying colours.
There is no reason why the Catalans won't remain top of the pile come the end of Matchweek 4 given Levante's wretched record against Barca.
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Per Fussball Datenbank, in 17 games between the sides over the last 10 years, the visitors have drawn four and lost 13. Barca have put 27 goals past them in the last six games alone, including five in each of the last three fixtures.
Back in February, Lionel Messi's hat-trick for once didn't grab all of the headlines—they went to Luis Suarez for his immaculate scissor kick.
Both players and Neymar will be looking to score the goals in this fixture that will extend the record.
Date: Sunday, September 20
Time: 7:30 p.m. BST / 2:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, 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
| Barcelona | Levante |
| D 1-1 vs. AS Roma | D 1-1 vs. Sevilla |
| W 2-1 vs. Atletico Madrid | D 0-0 vs. Las Palmas |
| W 1-0 vs. Malaga | L 1-2 vs. Celta Vigo |
| W 1-0 vs. Athletic Club de Bilbao | W 1-0 vs. Mallorca |
| D 1-1 vs. Athletic Club de Bilbao | L 0-2 vs. Villarreal |
| L 0-4 vs. Athletic Club de Bilbao | D 1-1 vs. NEC Nijmegen |
Predicted Formations
This could actually be a tougher ask than many expect.
History is against Lucas Alcaraz's side, but his ultra-defensive 5-3-2 formation has served him well thus far.
A hugely creditable draw against Sevilla last time out followed a dour, but important, 0-0 against Las Palmas.
Playing not to get beaten rather than playing to win has its disadvantages of course. For the front men, it becomes anything but an enjoyable afternoon.
However, teams such as Barcelona do struggle when teams pack as many men as they can behind the ball.
Levante's back five is a compact unit, with Jose Mari shuttling across to cover as necessary.
Barca's usual tactic for such opponents is to send the ball out wide and send in as many crosses as possible, but that just won't work here. Both Jose Luis Morales and Tono in the widest defensive positions will be wired and ready to cut out the same.
It could well turn into a frustrating evening, and those expecting another five-goal hammering might have to be content with one or two.
At least we know Barca will continue to hammer on the door. From the first minute until the last, the Catalans will be giving it their all, and it only needs one of the front men to escape the shackles for a moment to hand Barcelona the advantage.
If Barca do indeed score first, it changes the dynamic because if Levante then want anything at all from the game, they would have to come out and play.
In so doing, Luis Enrique, with an attacking 4-3-3, can set about breaking down the wall Levante will have constructed for themselves.
Although not normally within their remit, we could see Barca play a few balls over the top centrally for Suarez to make the most of.
Strikes from distance could also come into play if the hosts are finding it difficult to break down a resolute opponent.
In the end, who dares wins.
Alcaraz and his team need to have a bit more drive and an ace up their sleeve if they want to take at least a point from this fixture.
Player to Watch
Deyverson will hope to bring the Brazilian touch to Spain despite a slow start for his new employers.
The 24-year-old forward is due a goal after failing to find the net in his first three appearances. It won't be easy against the Catalans, but they are still without three of their first-choice defenders, so this is as good a time as any for Deyverson to open his account.
A lively player, he has the enviable record of a goal in every three games, and he'll punish any mistakes down Barca's right side.
If, as expected, Javier Mascherano and Sergi Roberto play on that side of the pitch, one of them should remain touch tight to the player at all times and not give him any space to exploit and go about his work.
Ploughing a lone furrow for much of the match, Deyverson's reward may come if he keeps plugging away until the end.
Key Battle
This could well be the archetypal attack versus defence-type game, albeit Levante will do well to shut out the reigning champions for a full 90 minutes.
Jose Mari in central midfield is key for the visitors. He has been their best player so far this season and put in a Man of the Match performance against Sevilla.
Sat just in front of Zouhair Feddal, Jose Mari is a simple but effective exponent. Able to protect his defence with aplomb, he also boasts the most accurate passing range of his side with 81 per cent, per WhoScored.com.
Barca need to continue to play with a high line and put pressure on Jose Mari. Ivan Rakitic hasn't made the best of starts to the league campaign but can profit here by ensuring superior movement entices Jose Mari out from his comfort zone.
As a first line of defence, the Croatian should be aiming to keep play deep inside Levante territory. Jose Mari's creativity will be stifled and leave the visitors moribund as an attacking force.
Odds
The following pre-match odds are available, per Odds Shark.
Barcelona win: 100/1429
Levante win: 25/1
Draw: 10/1
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