Presidential Vote Grabs Attention with Barcelona Entertaining Sevilla
Barcelona host Sevilla on Sunday with the intention of preserving their lead over Real Madrid in La Liga yet the off-pitch events carry even greater significance as the club announces its new president that evening.
The members of the club will cast votes for either Joan Laporta or Victor Font to decide the future path for Barca in the coming years.
Laporta who stepped down from his presidential duties a few weeks back to launch his bid for re-election remains the strong frontrunner to continue leading.
Although delayed by a year Barcelona made their return to the Camp Nou a few months ago and come Sunday the north stand opens for the very first time.
The interim capacity now stands at almost 63,000 with plans to accommodate 105,000 spectators once the upper level reaches completion.
Sevilla arrive amid Barcelonas last 16 Champions League encounters with Newcastle as Barca seek to capitalise on their recent 1-1 draw away from home.
After securing a domestic treble in the previous campaign and reaching the semi finals in Europe Barca fell short of glory there and thus target success in that tournament this term. The Catalan powerhouse last lifted the Champions League trophy in 2015.
Similar to his approach against Athletic Bilbao in last weekends La Liga match Flick might opt to shuffle his lineup to ensure players remain sharp for the Newcastle clash though injuries could restrict his choices.
Returning to action is the 21 year old midfielder Gavi who has not featured since August due to a knee problem. The former Real Betis academy product aims to take a spot on the substitutes bench against his old clubs opponents.
Flicks squad also seeks payback following Sevillas comprehensive 4-1 victory over them in October which marked Barcelonas initial league defeat of the season.
Matias Almeydas Sevilla sit in 14th position not entirely clear of relegation worries and securing points away at Camp Nou would prove valuable for them. They remain unbeaten across five outings yet four of those ended level.
Barcelona enjoy a four point buffer ahead of Los Blancos in second place a margin that Alvaro Arbeloas outfit aim to narrow on Saturday thereby heating up the title battle.
Madrid fresh from demolishing Manchester City in the Champions League welcome an Elche team in decline after an encouraging season opener now languishing in 17th just one point clear of the relegation spots.
A factor boosting Laportas chances of holding onto power lies in the strong showings from Flicks team since the German managers arrival during the summer of 2024.
Barcelonas performance be it triumph or setback versus Sevilla on Sunday might sway undecided voters with polls shutting shortly after the match concludes.
Player to watch: Vladyslav Vanat
The Ukrainian forward for Girona Vanat leads his squads scoring with nine strikes though only three arrived on home soil. Athletic Bilbao head to Montilivi on Saturday and Vanat hopes to boost that record to aid his teams escape from trouble.
Key stats
5 matches unbeaten for Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla representing the divisions longest active runs.
18 goals netted by Mallorca forward Vedat Muriqi who could close in on La Ligas sidelined leading marksman Kylian Mbappe on 23.
1,922 passes completed by Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi surpassing all others in the top division.
Fixtures
Friday all times GMT
Alaves v Villarreal 2000
Saturday
Girona v Athletic Bilbao 1300 Atletico Madrid v Getafe 1515 Real Oviedo v Valencia 1730 Real Madrid v Elche 2000
Sunday
Mallorca v Espanyol 1300 Barcelona v Sevilla 1515 Real Betis v Celta Vigo 1730 Real Sociedad v Osasuna 2000
Monday
Rayo Vallecano v Levante 2000