Lionel Messi scored four the last time Barcelona faced Eibar in February, but the six-time Ballon d’Or winner will be rested when the teams reunite at the Camp Nou on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old has played all but 45 minutes of Barcelona’s 14 league fixtures so far this season, but manager Ronald Koeman confirmed his talisman will be absent from his XI for the first time this term:
Ronald Koeman on Lionel Messi:
đŸ—£ “He was a bit banged up in his ankle and that’s why he hasn’t trained and why he’s not ready to play tomorrow’s match.
“He will be back after the Eibar match." pic.twitter.com/I8L22tBz7N
— Goal (@goal) December 28, 2020
What TV Channel is Barcelona-Eibar on?
Tune into Barcelona’s last game of 2020 via beIN Sports, wit kick-off set at 4 p.m. ET. You can live stream La Liga matches on fuboTV.
How to Watch Barcelona vs. Eibar
When: Tuesday, December 29
Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Time: 1:15 p.m. ET
TV: beIN Sports
Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
La Liga will conclude its 2020 business in Week 16 when the Blaugrana have one more chance to gain ground on the pace-setters, currently sat fifth and eight points off leaders Atletico Madrid. Koeman’s side are unbeaten in their last four games, though they’re hoping to restore some gloss at home having dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Valencia in their last home outing.
Eibar’s position is considerably more precarious with the club was one place and one point above the relegation zone, going without a win in their last four league games.
For all Eibar’s shortcomings this season, Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men have been a force as far as away form is concerned, taking 11 of their 15 total points this campaign outside Ipurua. Only five teams in La Liga have been more productive on the road, having gone unbeaten in six away games prior to their most recent 2-1 loss at Alaves.
The concern here is that Barcelona in particular appear an ill fit for Los Armeros, who have lost in each of their six visits to the Camp Nou since being promoted to the top flight in 2014. Messi conjured up a classic performance when the teams clashed 10 months ago, improving Barca’s overall return to 24-4 when hosting Eibar:
Messi may be in Argentina on this occasion, but Koeman could welcome Ousmane Dembele as his replacement after the Frenchman trained this week following almost a month out of action. Gerard Pique, Ansu Fati and Sergi Roberto are long-term absentees for the hosts, while Junior Firpo (or Sergino Dest) will for in for suspended Jordi Alba at left-back.
