A DEMANDING AWAY TEST AGAINST A BARCELONA IN THEIR FORM OF THE SEASON

Tonight the opponent is the most in-form team in Spain, if not in all of Europe. That's how Julen Lopetegui described a Barcelona in their best form of the season, a season that a few months ago looked to be heading in a direction that Barcelona fans are not too used to. After the difficulties arising from Messi's departure, they seem to have found their way back on track thanks to their signings in January which have led them to five wins in a row and 13 matches unbeaten - only Sevilla have a longer unbeaten streak in the league at 15 matches. Only three points, and the home side have a game in hand, separate the two sides, making tonight's match a true six-pointer for second place.

The match comes after a much-needed international break which has allowed Sevilla to get three players back into training, but we equally ended up losing Delaney and Óliver, which leaves the number of first-team players missing for the match at six. While the team continue to be extremely difficult to beat in the league, when you're fighting for top four you need to be able to pick three points up away from home, which is something we haven't done since 3 January. Looking at the statistics, the Camp Nou may not be the easiest pitch to do so, but Lopetegui's team will be travelling to Barcelona looking to put the past behind them and get three points which would serve as a huge boost for the team.

Alves comes up against Sevilla for the first time since 2016, while Luuk de Jong is out through COVID

The home side, after a complicated start to the season, have managed to turn things round after Xavi's return to the club and some key signings in January, who are all available tonight. Dani Alves - who faces the club he broke onto the scene at for the first time since 2016 when he was at Juventus -, Adama Traoré, Ferrán Torres and Aubameyang have all been called up. Our loan player Luuk de Jong misses out through COVID, while Dest, Umtiti, Sergi Roberto and Ansu Fati are out injured. Barcelona come into the game on cloud nine after routing Madrid 4-0 in their last match, with second place within their reach for the first time this season.