Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the La Liga match.
After a surprising 1:1 draw with Real Betis and a commanding 4:0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, Barcelona return to domestic action aiming to maintain their position at the top of La Liga. With only a four-point lead over Real Madrid and a series of tough fixtures on the horizon, this visit to CD Leganés presents a chance to make amends for their first-round defeat (0:1).
Leganés
CD Leganés have lost three of their last four matches — to Real Madrid (2:3), Real Betis (2:3), and Celta de Vigo (1:2). Defensive frailties are evident: the team has the third-highest home xGA in the league at 1.53, better only than UD Las Palmas (1.60) and Real Valladolid (1.67). Unsurprisingly, CD Leganés rank 18th in La Liga for defensive stability, having conceded 47 goals.
Barcelona
In contrast, Barcelona are in outstanding form on the road, having won each of their last seven away matches and scoring 22 goals in that span. In La Liga, they have scored 42 goals away from home — the highest tally in the competition. They have also conceded just once in their last six league outings. Crucially, the squad is currently free from major injury concerns, allowing the team to rotate its players without sacrificing quality. Of particular note is the attacking trio of Raphael Belloli, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal, who have combined for 65 goal involvements (44 goals and 21 assists) in the league.
Leganés vs Barcelona Prediction
Barcelona are in excellent form, especially away from home, and show no signs of slowing down. CD Leganés, on the other hand, continue to struggle defensively and have managed only two home wins since late November. The visitors are expected to claim a comfortable victory and score at least twice.
