Linares Deportivo vs Barcelona Predictions

• Six of Barcelona’s eight LaLiga wins saw them lead at both half-time/full-time.
• Two league tiers separate these sides.
• Barcelona have a host of players returning from COVID absences for clash.

Free hit for Linares

Linares fans have been left licking their lips at the prospect of Barcelona coming to town, though they will be facing a weakened side due to their recent Coronavirus crisis. Even so, the visitors managed to win their top-flight match over the weekend and with even more players returning, they will be expected to win handily.

This is already the furthest that Linares have ever progressed in the Copa Del Rey, so making the last 16 could be a bridge too far for the minnows, particularly against a side that have won this competition a record 31 times.

Xavi’s biggest opportunity

While the title race is essentially over as far as Barcelona are concerned, legendary midfielder and now-manager Xavi Hernandez would love to win this competition to cap his first season off with some silverware. Consequently, he will be ruthless in his team selection here and will show respect to the opponents.

Given the absolute gulf in class between these sides, I predict that Barcelona will have more than enough to roll this lowly Linares over with a comfortable 2-0 half-time/full-time victory.

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