That game ended in a 2-3 blaugrana win with Kluivert (2) and Rivaldo scoring the goals, and it was in fact the penultimate time the teams faced each other, as the last time was played at the Spotify Camp Nou in the return fixture during that 2000/01 season. Oviedo were relegated that season, leading to a long period outside the top division that ended last season as the Asturians were promoted through the play-offs.
Keeping good run going is the aim
Barça arrive at the Asturian capital in good form after wins in the previous two LaLiga games, 6-0 against Valencia and 3-0 against Getafe (3-0). The blaugranes are currently second in the table with 13 points from a possible 15 and they are yet to taste defeat any competition during this season.
Oviedo the lowest scoring team in LaLiga
The side coached by Veljko Paunović are second from bottom with three points as it stands and one win so far, overcoming Real Sociedad 1-0 at the Carlos Tartiere stadium. What’s more, that winning goal by Dendoncker is the only one they have scored since the season began, making them the lowest scoring team in LaLiga.
Goalkeepers going head-to-head
The game will see two of the best keepers in LaLiga face off, and the statistics back up that claim. Joan Garcia has only conceded three goals with the blaugranes, placing him level with Courtois, whereas Aarón Escandell in the Oviedo goal has made the most saves across the five major European leagues, 27 in total, an average of over 5 per game.
Who misses out
Hansi Flick cannot call on Gavi, Fermín, Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde and Marc-André ter Stegen. Oviedo also have five absentees, namely injured Nacho Vidal, David Costas, Oviemuno Ejaria and Álvaro Lemos, plus Uruguayan forward Fede Viñas, who has to sit this one out due to suspension.
