Barcelona vs. Sevilla UEFA Super Cup: Live Stream, Preview, Predictions, Lineup, Schedule
Barcelona and Sevilla will compete for the UEFA Super Cup, marking the second straight year that two Spanish clubs battle for the title.
Last year, Real Madrid topped Sevilla 2-0 in the match with two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo. This time around, Barcelona will look to replicate the effort. Most can expect the team's best XI in the matchup, though there will be one major absence: Neymar.
The Brazilian is out for the next few weeks, affording Pedro Rodriguez an opportunity to prove his worth to the team. It will probably not win him a starting spot, but it could make Luis Enrique rethink his continuous benching. Moreover, it could help raise Pedro's value in the market.
Lionel Messi will look to produce a top performance after his last game was marred by a controversial incident on the pitch. The Argentine superstar headbutted and then put his hand around the throat of Roma's Mapou Yanga-M'Biwa. He got away with a yellow, though many felt he deserved to see red for the behavior.
For Barcelona, the trophy also means an opportunity to keep the team's dreams of six trophies alive. The team already has the treble that includes the Spanish League title, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. The UEFA Super Cup will be followed by the Spanish Super Cup and then the FIFA Club World Cup in the winter. If the team wins all three, it will match its six trophies from 2009.
Messi will look to add to his goals from 2015. He currently has 36 goals and 22 assists in 41 matches this year. He holds a four-goal lead on rival Cristiano Ronaldo and has 12 more assists. However, he has also played 10 more games than the Real Madrid star.
That Ballon d'Or race is likely over at this juncture, with Messi already capturing three trophies in the calendar year; Ronaldo has none and will finish with a goose egg in 2015.
Prediction: Barcelona wins 2-0.
Start Time: 2:30 PM EDT
The game can be streamed on Fox Soccer 2 Go or the Watch ESPN App.
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