Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruna Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Barcelona seem to have a knack of slipping up against Galician opposition with games against Celta Vigo and Deportivo La Coruna in recent years causing them difficulty on several occasions. They went into the international break with a 4-3 defeat at Celta Vigo having conceded 4 goals in a defeat at the same venue last season. They were 3-0 down by half-time in what was their worst performance for some time and there would have been plenty for Luis Enrique to think about over the international break.

This is another fixture where they often slip up. Depor have come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 on their last 2 visits to Camp Nou and Barca will be hoping that lightning doesn’t strike again when they host the Galicians this weekend. Following that defeat last time out and with numerous players coming back from World Cup qualifiers in South America, you have to wonder though if this could be another awkward afternoon for the Catalans, who will have one eye on a Champions League clash with Manchester City on Wednesday.

Deportivo La Coruna aren’t a great side in all honesty but they did pick up their 2nd win of the season last time out, when they beat Sporting Gijon 2-1. More importantly in terms of this game, is that they have been relatively good at the back and certainly are better defensively than last term when they were leaking far too many goals. They showed their defensive resilience at the Vicente Calderon last time out on the road when they only lost 1-0 against Atleti, despite playing half the game with only 10 men.

Leo Messi may return here but it is unlikely to be for 90 minutes with Wednesday’s game in mind and with Barca not at their best right now, Deportivo should at least be capable of keeping the score down and backing Deportivo La Coruna +2.5 Asian Handicap at 1.975 looks a decent shout.