After being forced to keep this game in hand due to their Club World Cup participation in December, Barcelona will finally play their 16th round match against Sporting Gijón at El Molinón Stadium. With an ongoing streak of 30 games without a loss, Los Blaugranas enter this game with the clear thought of extending their lead at the top of La Liga, while the hosts try to pull off a shocking win to end their opponents' streak.
This will be a special match for Sporting's coach Abelardo, who made a name for himself while playing for Barcelona back in the 90s. The former center back won a number of league trophies with Los Blaugranas under Louis Van Gaal, becoming the team's No. 1 captain for his efforts and drive on the pitch.
Luis Enrique and Abelardo, during their playing days with Barcelona.
Sporting Gijón
Los Rojiblancos enter this game with a streak of four straight matches without a loss, even though they have drawn their two most recent games. Abelardo's side can't afford losing this game, considering their complicated situation at the bottom of the league's standings. Their main focus will be to steal one point away from Los Blaugranas, considering they start this game as massive underdogs. Furthermore, Abelardo won't have Bernardo and Dani Ndi available due to injury, complicating a possible upset even more.
Barcelona
Regardless of what coach Luis Enrique might say, this game gives Barcelona a golden opportunity to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to six points. Considering how well the team has performed recently, it would be quite shocking if Los Culés can't add three more points to their tally, earning a seventh win in a row.
This game could also give coach Luis Enrique the chance to rest a few players, considering the busy schedule Los Blaugranas will have in the upcoming weeks. In fact, it will also give the Blaugrana coach to remember his playing days with Los Rojiblancos.
WATCH: Highlights from Luis Enrique's pre-match press conference
Head to head
Sporting and Barcelona have played eighteen matches between them, with Barcelona winning fourteen of those meetings. In order to find Sporting's last victory against Barcelona, you have to go back to the 1994-1995 season, when the hosts defeated Barcelona 2-1.
Where to watch Sporting vs Barcelona on TV or online?
- Fans living in Spain can follow the outcome of this match on Abono Futbol, Canal+ Liga / HD and Movistar TV Fútbol at 18:30 hrs CET.
- For those living in the U.K., this match will be available on NOW TV UK, Sky Sports 2/HD, Sky Go UK and SKY GO Extra at 17:30 hrs GMT.
- Living in the U.S.? You can get a hold of this match on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., beIN Sports USA, fuboTV and beIN Sports en Español at 12:30 EST.
- Fans from Canada will be able to follow this game on beIN Sports en Español and beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada at 12:30 hrs EST.
Live elsewhere? Check out the Sporting Gijon vs Barcelona match page for detailed info to watch this game in your country.
*Please note that all live games, TV Schedules and online streaming info is subject to change.
Spieldetails, Ergebnis und ursprüngliche Sendungsinfo
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Live-TV-Übertragungen und Streaming in United States
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