Huesca vs Barcelona is live in 180+ countries on January 3, 2021: here's how to watch it

January 2, 2021 By Ali M.

Topics: TV Schedules, Huesca, Barcelona, La Liga

The Blaugrana kick off 2021 with a Spanish top-flight trip to Estadio El Alcoraz. Here’s our preview of Huesca vs Barcelona.

Preview - Huesca vs Barcelona

Barcelona are gearing up for their first game of 2021: a Sunday trip to bottom-the-table Huesca. The Blaugrana will be keen on kicking off the calendar year with a bang, having wrapped up 2020 with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Eibar.

That result best summed up what had been a sorrowful last 12 months for the Catalan giants. Despite boasting the home advantage, Koeman's side went 1-0 down thanks to a Araujo blunder, with Ousmane Dembele scoring a while later the rescue the Spanish giants a point.

As a result, Barcelona dropped 10 points behind Atletico but the top four remains within touching distance. Furthermore, results have picked up, with Messi and Co. now going five games unbeaten in the league.

They have drawn two of their last three Spanish top-flight fixtures but Leo, having missed the draw with Eibar due to an ankle issue, will be returning to the squad and probably the lineup too. While the Argentine has not been at his best, he remains their best player and is absence was missed in the 1-1 stalemate, with the likes of Braithwaite, Dembele, and Griezmann squandering way too many opportunities.

As for the home side, they are dead bottom in the league. Despite having lost only six of their opening 16 league games, Huesca have won only once in 2020/21, drawing their remaining nine matches. However, they are only three points away from climbing out of the relegation zone and should thus give it their all to upset Barcelona.

Team news

Huesca: Pablo Maffeo remains injured for the home side. Sandro Ramirez is doubtful but Pablo Insua is back from suspension.

Barcelona: Messi is back and is expected to return to the lineup after recovering from his ankle issue. Jordi Alba, who was suspended for the Eibar game, should also be back. Fati, Pique, aand Roberto remained sidelined, with Coutinho joining them after picking up a long-term knee injury.

Key stats

Barcelona have lost each of their last two games vs newly-promoted clubs (Osasuna and Cadiz).
The Blaugrana have not lost any of their last four games against Huesca (W3 D1).
The last time the Catalan giants lost their first game of the calendar year was back in 2015 (1-0 vs Real Sociedad).