Previews
SÁB 05.03.2016
Team News:
- SD Eibar: Jaime, Jota Peleteiro, Borja Ekiza, Keko and Antonio Luna (all injured); Lillo (suspended).
- FC Barcelona: Rafinha (injured); Neymar (suspended).
Match Facts:
SD Eibar (8th, 36 pts):
- It'll be a big day at Ipurua where the Basques' home form makes them LaLiga's sixth most formidable opponents on their own patch. The hosts have only conceded 13 goals on home soil all season.
- Although Eibar may not currently be on top form, having suffered defeats in all of their last three Liga BBVA fixtures, Los Armeros still sit in eighth and have once again succeeded in surprising many this time round.
- Eibar boss, Jose Luis Mendilibilar, has talked about what his side will have to do to get anything against the league leaders: "Most importantly we've got to keep our concentration. We've got to be faithful to ourselves and not go changing our playing style. We must ensure that we don't make any mistakes, particularly when we're bringing the ball out from the back."
FC Barcelona (1st, 69 pts):
- The Catalan giants, currently on a 35-game unbeaten run, are getting ever closer to clinching the Liga BBVA title. The visitors are under pressure to keep churning the results out with Atletico Madrid ready to pounce on any slip-ups. Luis Enrique's men return to a ground where a Lionel Messi brace sealed a 2-0 win last season looking to further cement their grip on top spot.
- Neymar's suspension could well open the door for Munir El Haddadi to join Luis Suarez and Messi in the Barcelona attack. This game sees Barcelona's forwards aiming to outdo another of the season's top marksmen, Eibar's 16-goal Borja Baston.
Luis Enrique: "Eibar play very direct, they pressure and, at home, they are more dangerous due to the size (of the pitch)." #FCBlive
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 5, 2016
Don't leave Eibar without…
Taking a step back in time by visiting Eibar's Civil War Centre. The museum is located in the Arrate building - opposite the sanctuary which shares its name - and is home to a range of war artefacts, including weapons, provisions and mannequins kitted out in the military uniforms of the two warring sides. The visitor is guided through the museum by information panels and a video explaining the events which unfolded in the local area during the Spanish Civil War.
Getting to Ipurua
Address: Ipurua Kalea, 2, 20600 Eibar, Gipuzkoa
Bus: Stop Db01 on the Eibar to Elgeta route
Train: Ardantza Station
Stadium location here
Time: 16:00 CET
Stadium: Ipurua
Referee: Undiano Mallenco, Alberto
TV: Watch the game in your country.
Hashtag: #EIBvFCB
© LALIGA - 2016