Reigning Spanish top flight champions FC Barcelona (17-2-3, 54 points) is scheduled to meet reeling squad Real Club Celta de Vigo (10-8-5, 35 points) at the Camp Nou this Sunday, Feb. 14 for a 2015-2016 Premier League season game.
Barcelona turned back a tough challenge from cellar dwellers Levante UD at the Estadi Ciutat de València last Sunday with a 2-0 win, as reported by The Guardian.
Despite the presence of its goal scoring trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suárez, the Catalonia residents were not able to find the back of Les Granotes' net in the whole 90 minutes of the match.
Their first goal came off an own goal by Levante vice-captain David Navarro at the 21st minute while their second one was scored by Suárez two minutes after full time.
Levante had been aggressive throughout the match, keeping Luis Enrique's boys at bay in their home field in Valencia. It was fortunate that Barça's backfield held on, led by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and rumored China target Dani Alves.
Even though the score read 2-0, the game does not feel like it and some analysts said that the scoreline "was harsh on Levante".
With the win, Barça remains on top of the league, three points clear off second-running Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, Celta Vigo settled for a 1-1 draw against 10-man team Sevilla FC at the Estadio Municipal de Balaídos last Sunday, via SkySports.
The Sevillistas opened scoring at the 43rd minute courtesy of defender Daniel Carrico despite a second yellow card for Federico Fazio, who was sent off at the 25th to give the visitors a one-man disadvantage.
Os Célticos was able to equalize the count at the 64th with a goal from striker Claudio Beauvue to avoid an embarrassing loss by the hosts.
Celta Vigo had been winless in five of their last six outings, with the recent draw with Sevilla snapping a two-game losing slide.
Eduardo Berizzo's boys are currently in the seventh spot of the La Liga table, tied on points with Athletic Bilbao but has a lesser goal differential of -2 as compared to Los Leones' +3.
The predicted result is a 3-0 romp for Barcelona. Messi, Neymar, and Suárez are in for a bounce back performance at home after their struggle in Valencia.
Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Roberto, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar
Celta Vigo starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Alvarez; Jonny, Cabral, Gomez, Planas; Wass, Radoja; Beauvue, Hernandez, Bongonda; Aspas