The Catalans got back to winning ways last weekend with a 2-0 win over Villarreal, breaking a run of two consecutive draws.
And with an end-of-year Clasico against Real Madrid looming, Ernesto Valverde’s men will be keen to enter the fixture in the highest of spirits and take down their next opponents.
TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM
In the UK, the match will be available to watch live on television on Sky Sports Football or by stream via Sky Go.
In the US, the match will be available to watch live on television on beIN Sports and by stream via beIN Sports Connect.
SQUADS & TEAM NEWS
Gerard Deulofeu is a confirmed absentee for Barcelona. The forward strained his knee and is expected to be out for up to 10 days, also placing his Clasico participation in doubt.
Samuel Umtiti also misses out, but Javier Mascherano is ready to return to the fold after a spell on the sidelines.
Potential starting XI: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Vermaelen, Alba; Paulinho, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez.
Potential starting XI: Ruben; Juanfran, Sidnei, Schar, Navarro, Carles Gil, Colak, Guilherme, Colak, Borges, Lucas.
BETTING & MATCH ODDS
Barcelona are 1/12 favourites to win, according to dabblebet , with Deportivo priced at 28/1 and the draw available at 10/1.
Click here to view dabblebet’s full selection of available match markets.
GAME PREVIEW
While Real Madrid seek Club World Cup glory for the second successive season, Barcelona will be busy trying to consolidate their commanding lead at the top of La Liga.
Valverde’s charges currently hold a healthy five-point advantage over nearest rivals Valencia, with Atletico Madrid a further point back and Madrid trailing by eight points.
If Barca can deliver on pre-match expectations and brush aside Deportivo, that means they could move a whopping 14 clear of their arch-rivals with a Clasico victory, albeit having played a game more.
It is indeed hard to see Sunday’s clash going any other way than a comfortable home victory. Barcelona are unbeaten in La Liga this season, winning an impressive 12 out of 15 matches and conceding just seven goals.
That is in stark contrast to Depor, who sit perilously one place above the relegation zone with just four wins so far. They are unlikely to find much respite against the league’s strongest attack to date, with Lionel Messi making a welcome return to form in recent weeks to lead Barca to a key win over Villarreal.
The Catalans, however, will know there is also little margin for error. Both Atletico and Valencia play teams rooted near the bottom reaches of the table, and should Deportivo pull off the impossible and win, the Liga race will be well and truly thrown open going into 2018 and the second half of the season.
