In the electric atmosphere of the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou, FC Barcelona are set to host Deportivo Alavés in a La Liga showdown that could see Hansi Flick’s side leapfrog rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table. Coming off a bruising 3-0 midweek defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League, the Blaugrana will be hungry to rediscover their ruthless edge against a gritty but goal-shy Alavés outfit. This Matchday 14 clash isn’t just about three points—it’s a statement of intent in a season where Barcelona have already shown flashes of brilliance amid their inconsistencies.
Match Essentials: Date, Time, and Venue
- Date and Kick-Off: Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 4:15 PM CET (3:15 PM GMT, 10:15 AM ET, 7:15 AM PT).
- Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain—the iconic home of Barça, buzzing with anticipation for its first full-capacity league game post-renovation.
Team News: Injuries, Returns, and Tactical Tweaks
Flick faces a minor injury crisis but welcomes back key midfielder Pedri from a nagging knock, adding creativity to the engine room. Marc-André ter Stegen remains sidelined with a low back issue until mid-December, meaning Joan García continues in goal. No fresh concerns from the Chelsea loss, but expect rotations to keep legs fresh for upcoming Champions League ties.
For Alavés, striker Toni Martínez is out with a late knock from their Celta defeat, while midfielder Calebe Gonçalves is doubtful. Ex-Barça duo Denis Suárez and Carles Aleñá will look to haunt their old club, anchoring a midfield that’s been solid but uninspired lately.
Predicted Lineups: Barça’s Firepower vs. Alavés’ Wall
Flick is expected to stick with his trusted 4-2-3-1, unleashing an attack primed for redemption. Raphinha earns a start after impactful cameos, while Lamine Yamal shakes off his subdued Chelsea showing to terrorize the flanks.
Barcelona Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan García (GK) – Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Alejandro Balde – Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casadó – Raphinha, Fermín López, Lamine Yamal – Robert Lewandowski.
Alavés Predicted XI (4-4-2): Antonio Sivera (GK) – Jonny Otto, Nahuel Tenaglia, Jon Pacheco, Youssef Enríquez – Carlos Vicente, Antonio Blanco, Denis Suárez, Carles Aleñá – Lucas Boyé, Kike García.
Score Predictions: Blaugrana to Roll On
Barcelona’s home form is unbreachable this season, and Alavés’ toothless attack (just 0.8 goals per game) screams clean sheet. Our models and experts align on a comfortable win for the hosts, with Lewandowski likely to bag at least one.
Our Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Alavés. A dominant second half seals it after a cagey start, with goals from Lewandowski, Yamal, and López.
