Preview: Eibar vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

Barcelona will be looking to end their 2020-21 La Liga campaign on a high when they travel to already-relegated Eibar on Saturday evening.

Ronald Koeman's side cannot finish higher than third but could still drop into fourth on the final weekend of the campaign, while Eibar's relegation was confirmed when they lost 4-1 to Valencia on Sunday night.

Match preview

© Reuters

Eibar have been present in each of the last seven campaigns at this level of football but will drop into the Segunda Division for the 2021-22 campaign.

There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a tough campaign for the club, who have won six, drawn 12 and lost 19 of their 37 matches to collect 30 points, which has left them bottom of the table entering the final gameweek.

Eibar had a mini-revival earlier this month as they beat Alaves and Getafe in back-to-back matches before drawing at home to Real Betis, but Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Valencia confirmed their relegation.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side have the worst home record in La Liga this season, picking up just 13 points from 18 matches, recording only two victories.

There will be a lot of changes at the club this summer, but a win over Barca on the final weekend of the campaign would certainly give their supporters something to cheer as they prepare for life back in the Segunda Division.

© Reuters

Barca saw their already-slim title hopes evaporate last weekend when they suffered a shock 2-1 home loss to Celta Vigo; the Catalan side have actually only won one of their last five in the league, leading to a host of speculation surrounding the future of head coach Koeman.

The 26-time Spanish champions, as mentioned, cannot catch second-placed Real Madrid, but they are not guaranteed third as fourth-placed Sevilla, who finish at home to Alaves on Sunday night, are just two points behind.

Barca, who have lost seven times in the league this season, have not finished lower than third at this level since 2002-03, and there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disappointing campaign.

Lionel Messi's future is yet to be decided, but it does appear that the club will be active this summer; Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia are both expected to arrive on free transfers from Manchester City, although a big-money move for Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland appears to have been ruled out.

Koeman's side have been strong on their travels this term, picking up 38 points from 18 matches, but they have dropped points in two of their last four league matches with Eibar, including a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou earlier this season.

Team News

© Reuters

Eibar have a full complement of players available for this weekend's contest, meaning that Mendilibar has a number of decisions to make.

There are expected to be changes from the side that suffered a heavy defeat at Valencia, with Sergi Enrich, Bryan Gil and Papa Diop among those likely to feature in the starting XI.

The likes of Miguel Atienza and Edu Exposito should keep their positions, though, while the back four may remain unchanged despite the disappointment of the defeat at Mestalla.

Frenkie de Jong will be available for Barca following a one-game suspension, but Clement Lenglet will serve a ban on the final weekend, having been sent off against Celta last time out.

Sergi Roberto, Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati are all still injured, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen has undergone a knee operation, meaning that Neto Moura will feature between the sticks for the visitors.

There could be a start in the middle of the park for Riqui Puig alongside De Jong and Sergio Busquets, as Pedri has not been included in the squad, while Lenglet's spot at the back is expected to be taken by Samuel Umtiti.

Lionel Messi has also been left out of the squad to prepare for the Copa America, meaning that Martin Braithwaite could be handed a starting role.

Eibar possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Correa, Oliveira, Arbilla, Cote; Gil, Diop, Atienza, Exposito; Enrich, Kike

Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Neto; Araujo, Pique, Umtiti; Dembele, Puig, Busquets, De Jong, Alba; Griezmann, Braithwaite

We say: Eibar 0-2 Barcelona

Barca will be desperate to sign off with a win, and we are finding it very difficult to look past the visitors here. Eibar have found it difficult to compete in the top flight this term, and we are backing a routine two-goal success for Koeman's side, which would ensure that they finish in third position.

VOTE IN THE END-OF-SEASON SPORTS MOLE AWARDS!

Have your say in the annual end-of-season Sports Mole Reader Awards!

Click here to vote for your Premier League Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, Signing of the Season and much more!