Can in-form Sevilla crack Barcelona's air-tight defense?

Barcelona, Feb 3, 2023 (AFP) - Barcelona welcome Sevilla to Camp Nou on Sunday high on confidence and leading La Liga with the milestone of 50 points at the halfway stage of the season.

Only two sides have reached 100 points in the Spanish league's history: Real Madrid in the 2011-12 season and Barcelona the following year.

It is the fifth time Barcelona have earned that many points at this point of a campaign, and four times they went on to lift the title.

Xavi Hernandez's team has been exceptionally tight at the back, conceding just seven goals all season in the top flight, with new arrivals Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen proving key.

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has returned to his best form, too, making the Catalans Europe's meanest defence across the top five leagues.

By contrast, opponents Sevilla are having their worst season for some time, although the roots of revival under Jorge Sampaoli are finally growing.

The Andalusians, 13th, have won three of their past four league games after posting only two victories in their first 15.

Extending their recent uptick in form will be difficult, though, with Xavi proud of his team's growth since taking over in November 2021.

The coach arrived with Barcelona in ninth place last season and steered them to second, qualifying for the Champions League.

Even though they suffered an early elimination from that competition, Barcelona have been steadily improving and won their first trophy since the coach arrived, lifting the Spanish Super Cup in January.

Xavi has said the team's main objective is to win La Liga and after the first 19 games left them as standalone leaders, prospects look bright.

"I don't like drawing conclusions halfway through the season. Everything can still be turned on its head," Xavi said after an impressive midweek win at Real Betis.

"We have to match this first half. We are on a good path, but there are 19 more games to go. The numbers (so far) are extraordinary."

Without injured winger Ousmane Dembele, Barca still earned a 2-1 win at the Benito Villamarin to hit 50 points.

Dembele's replacement Raphinha netted the opening goal after a clever free-kick by Frenkie de Jong.

Xavi said the goal demonstrated his team was mentally ready to succeed this season.

"It's about attitude, competitiveness, desire, faith. Our hopes are huge," added the coach.

"We have confidence and the morale to achieve success."

The Blaugrana are boosted by Robert Lewandowski's return from suspension, with the Polish forward scoring his 14th league goal of the season against Betis.

Sevilla's main outlet for goals, Youssef En-Nesyri, also hit a brace last weekend, ending his drought in the league.

The Morocco striker had a fine World Cup but had failed to find the net in 15 La Liga appearances prior.

If Sampaoli's side is to maintain its improvement, it will have to do the near impossible: score against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

No side has managed it this season in La Liga from open play, with the Catalans keeping seven clean sheets in eight home games.

Only Espanyol striker Joselu has beaten Ter Stegen there, from the penalty spot in the 1-1 derby draw in December.

Player to watch: Sergio Camello

Rayo Vallecano forward Sergio Camello, on loan from Atletico Madrid, has had a fine season, with his goals helping the Madrid minnows climb to seventh. The Spanish striker, 21, has netted five this season, most recently in the 1-0 win at Villarreal on Monday. With Almeria visiting, he can help Rayo keep pushing for a European qualification spot.

Key stats

0: Bottom-of-the-table Elche are still without a win at the halfway stage of the season.

33: Cadiz are a tough nut to crack, and with 33 blocks, Uruguayan defender Alfonso Espino has more than any other player in the division.

251: Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams played a remarkable 251 consecutive league games, but his run ended last weekend because of injury.

Fixtures

Friday

• Athletic Bilbao vs. Cadiz

Saturday

• Espanyol vs. Osasuna
• Elche vs. Villarreal
• Atletico Madrid vs. Getafe
• Real Betis vs. Celta Vigo

Sunday

• Real Mallorca vs. Real Madrid
• Girona vs. Valencia
• Real Sociedad vs. Real Valladolid
• Barcelona vs. Sevilla

Monday

• Rayo Vallecano vs. Almeria