Barcelona are flying in La Liga, winning each of their six matches since the goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano on the opening weekend of the 2022-23 campaign. And tonight, the Catalans will be bidding to make it seven La Liga victories in a row when they continue their domestic campaign at home to Celta Vigo.Barcelona’s defensive form has been great lately – Xavi’s side have incredibly not even conceded a goal in the league since the 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad on August 21, keeping clean sheets in their last five against Real Valladolid, Sevilla, Cadiz, Elche and Mallorca, scoring 15 times in the process. However, the Catalan outfit will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night.Regardless of their loss at San Siro, the spirits are high as far as La Liga goes. Their domestic run has allowed them to move to the top of the table, albeit level on points (19) with the champions Real Madrid, and it will seemingly be a fascinating battle for the title this term, with every dropped point likely to be precious due to the strength of both sides.Champions do just enoughOn the other end, the guests from Vigo have a lot to think about. Eduardo Coudet’s side suffered back-to-back defeats to Atletico Madrid and Valencia before the international break, conceding seven times in the process, but they will enter this match off the back of a morale-boosting win – Celta recorded a 1-0 victory over Real Betis in the league last weekend.The Vigo-based outfit finished 11th in Spain’s top flight last season, but they were eighth in 2020-21 and sixth in 2015-16, so a push into the top half of the division is certainly possible this term.Last season at Camp Nou Celta suffered a 3-1 defeat however they did record a 2-1 victory in the famous stadium in May 2021. Celta do not have any European commitments this season – therefore, the Sky Blues will be the fresher of the two sides on Sunday night – but still have a busy October, facing Real Sociedad, Real Valladolid, Getafe and Almeria before the end of the month.Thing are not looking good for Barcelona, injuries-wise. Barcelona have six players currently on the sidelines, with Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie the latest individuals to pick up injuries. Kessie then suffered an injury in training on Wednesday, with the pair joining Hector Bellerin, Ronald Araujo, Memphis Depay and Jules Kounde on the treatment table.Xavi’s squad list for #BarçaCelta! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QRkng4ncYK— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 9, 2022 Gerard Pique could replace Christensen in the back four, while Ansu Fati and Alejandro Balde are pushing to return to the side following the clash with Inter at San Siro. Frenkie de Jong has been back in training this week, though, and the Netherlands international is set to be available for the contest at Camp Nou.As for Celta, Iago Aspas should be back in the starting side after being named on the bench against Real Betis last time out, with Carles Perez likely to be the player to make way in terms of the starting eleven.Franco Cervi will miss the match through suspension, but the visitors are otherwise in good shape heading into the clash at Camp Nou. Jorgen Strand Larsen should again feature in the final third of the field, with Goncalo Paciencia and Luca de la Torre expected to be on the bench for the visitors this weekend.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 8FridayOsasuna – Valencia 0-2 (0-1)/Brasanac 90+3 – Kluivert 27, Diakhaby 53/SaturdayAlmeria – Rayo Vallecano 3-1 (3-0)/Robertone 8, Babic 17, Toure 39 – Catena 81/Atletico – Girona 2-1 (1-0)/Correa 5, 48 – Riquelme 66/Sevilla – Athletic Club 1-1 (1-0)/Torres 4 – Vesga 73/Getafe – Real Madrid 0-1 (0-1)/Militao 3/Sunday15.00: (3.05) Valladolid (3.25) Betis (2.60)17.15: (3.05) Cadiz (3.05) Espanyol (2.75)19.30: (2.65) Sociedad (3.20) Villareal (3.00)22.00: (1.34) Barcelona (5.50) Celta (10.0)Monday22.00: (3.25) Elche (3.00) Mallorca (2.65)***odds are subject to change
