Barcelona can cap off successful season with Copa del Rey final victory over Sevilla

Published:

Lee Gormley | May 20, 2016

Barcelona v Sevilla

  • Copa del Rey final
  • Sunday, May 22nd
  • Kick-off: 20:30 BST
  • Vicente Calderon, Madrid
  • Live on Sky Sports 1

Barca battle Bathtubs in Copa final

After securing their second successive La Liga title, Spanish champions Barcelona will look to add the Copa del Rey crown to their season honours when they face Sevilla in the final at the Vicente Calderon this Sunday.

Recent history bodes well for Luis Enrique’s domestic double-chasing side and defending Copa champions, as they prepare for a fixture they have dominated, having beaten the Bathtubs in eight of their last 10 meetings across all competitions.

The Catalans have already toppled Unai Emery’s men twice this current campaign, both domestically and in the UEFA Super Cup, and they are 27/20 with Coral to rally to a final victory and both teams scoring within normal time.

Sevilla will take to Madrid as 8/1 outsiders to prevail and will be quietly confident of causing an upset after their recent gallant comeback against Liverpool, as they fought back from a goal down to topple Jurgen Klopp’s Reds 3-1 and lift a third successive Europa League crown.

Both sides seek further silverware success

Both finalists enter proceedings after huge silverware success in recent seasons, with Barca having recently won their sixth league title in eight years, while Sevilla grabbed their third straight European Cup and fifth overall.

A Champions League quarter-final defeat to rivals Atletico Madrid saw Barcelona’s chances of winning back-to-back trebles dashed but, after an incredible 5-4 UEFA Super Cup win last year, they are 2/1 to fire in four or more goals this time out.

The record Copa del Rey holders enter their latest final on the back of a sublime five straight La Liga victories in which they notched up 24 goals and conceded none, while the Bathtubs, despite their European heroics, could only managed a seventh-place finish domestically, a major disappointment for such a strong team.

Barca have been without injured goalkeeper Claudio Bravo for the previous two games but Marc-Andre ter Stegen should take his place between the sticks, while Enrique has no other fresh concerns within his squad, who have had a week off to prepare.

Sevilla defender Adil Rami picked up a knock in the clash with Liverpool, but the Frenchman should be fine to feature, as Emery gets ready to name an unchanged side to the one that topple Liverpool in Switzerland.

Messi and Gameiro key threats

Barcelona’s ferocious front three will be set loose on the Bathtubs backline on Sunday, with Argentine attacker Lionel Messi 5/2 to open proceedings following his sensational solo goal in last year’s final. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has netted in seven of his last eight fixture outings and is also 2/1 to add a to that with a brace or more.

Meanwhile, Brazil star Neymar is 7/2 to bag the final’s last goal in 90 minutes, with in-form Uruguay marksman Luis Suarez 2/1 to fire in two or more in normal time, having struck 59 times in 52 appearances this season.

Kevin Gameiro helped to inspire Sevilla’s comeback against Liverpool and the French forward is 11/4 to get on the scoresheet, with right back Coke, who hit a decisive double in midweek, is 12/1 to find the target anytime.

Towering Basque frontman Fernando Llorente (7/2 anytime) could also make an impact in Madrid, while reported Premier League target and Ukraine wideman Yevhen Konoplyanka (11/2) will hope to have an influence.

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Read our extensive La Liga archive.

Coral’s top tip: Back Lionel Messi to net the final’s first goal in 90 minutes at 5/2.

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