David vs Goliath La Liga clashes don’t come much bigger than Real Oviedo against Barcelona, with these two sides firmly at opposite ends of the spectrum in the Spanish top-flight.
Match News and Current Form
Real Oviedo’s primary aim this term is to avoid relegation, but their quest to do so hasn’t got off to the best start, losing four of their opening five league games (W1) after going down 1-0 to Elche at the weekend. Eight goals conceded and a paltry one scored suggest that a long season awaits Oviedo, but a small glimmer of hope can perhaps be taken from the fact their only win and goal this league season came on home turf. Tightening up in the early stages could help them replicate that sole win, given all four of their league defeats this term saw them also trail at half-time.
Firmly battling at the opposite end of La Liga to their hosts, Barcelona are aiming for back-to-back titles and have started the season in good form, only dropping two points. The frightening form of Real Madrid means Barcelona enter this clash trailing their fiercest rivals, but they’ve been doing their level best to keep pace having won their last two league games by a 9-0 aggregate scoreline after beating Getafe 3-0 at the weekend. Hitting the road seemingly suits them perfectly too, as you’d have to go back to November 2024 for the last time Barcelona lost an away league game (W10, D4), winning nine of the last ten such games (D1).
Head-to-Head History
The last six H2Hs saw both sides win three times each, although those games range from 1998-2001. Oviedo have incredibly won three of the last four H2Hs they’ve hosted!
Hot Stats and Streaks
Real Oviedo are the only La Liga side who haven't seen a single game this season witness both teams score.
A league-low two goals have been scored in the second half of Oviedo’s La Liga games this season.
Pre-round, Barcelona have scored twice as many second-half La Liga goals (ten) than any other side in La Liga.
Barcelona have won their last six Thursday-held La Liga games, five of which came ‘to nil’.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Haissem Hassan has attempted more shots than any other Oviedo player in La Liga this season (eight) - four of his last five club goals made the score 2-0. Ferran Torres netted a brace for Barcelona at the weekend to take his seasonal tally to four, all of which arrived before the hour mark.
Oviedo’s Nacho Vidal was withdrawn with an injury at the weekend, joining Oviemuno Ejaria on the sidelines. Young prodigy Lamine Yamal remains Barcelona’s main absentee.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
With Oviedo struggling to adapt to life back in La Liga, backing a Barcelona -1 handicap win could be the way forward.
Author: Chris Wilson