Ceuta vs Barcelona – Betting Preview
Barcelona’s quest for additional domestic silverware this week takes them to yet another continent, following their Supercopa victory.
It has been a strange few days for Xavi and his team, who will be trying to avoid a major upset here against AD Ceuta after travelling from Arabia to Africa.
Ceuta Preview
It’s fair to say that Ceuta, a Spanish colony in Northern Africa, isn’t used to hosting opponents of Barcelona’s calibre. Despite being promoted from the fourth tier last season, AD Ceuta is having a very difficult time this year in the Primera Federación.
They have just 2 wins and 8 points after 19 games, have already fallen to the bottom, and appear to be headed for a quick return to the Segunda Federación.
The Copa del Rey, however, has been a different story, as two upsets have already been secured to get to this point. In Round 2, they defeated Ibiza of the Segunda Division 3-2, and in Round 4, they humiliated Elche of the top division 1-0.
The prize is this sizable tie, and the Estadio Alfonso Murube, which seats 6,500, will undoubtedly be packed when the Catalan giants visit.
Barcelona Preview
Barcelona will undoubtedly dominate the match, but the same was true of their Round 3 match against Intercity in Alicante, where they were pushed back three times before winning 4-3 after extra time on the strength of a goal from Ansu Fati.
Xavi wants to see a much more disciplined performance here after winning his first championship as Barcelona manager.
Gavi was a key player for his team, and they earned their 3-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Clasico Final. Barcelona will be hoping that that turns out to be a legitimate launchpad as they aim for more silverware between now and June.
With Barça currently leading LaLiga and being serious contenders for both the Copa del Rey and the Europa League, there is plenty to aim for!
1×2 Betting Odds
This seems like it ought to be a different Barcelona narrative from the Intercity match. A few injuries and fitness issues plagued them at the time, and many of their players had just returned from the World Cup.
Although we should anticipate rotation from that game, they should be much stronger than Ceuta, who are the worst team in the Spanish third tier according to the stats!
Ceuta has already caused upsets to be here at this point where they will host Barcelona! But the market believes Barcelona will be too big of a giant to kill as their market odds stand @ 30.00!
Barcelona, who are in superb form, and also fresh from winning a trophy, are the massive favourites to advance to the quarter finals of the competition @ 1.10.
The possibility that Ceuta can hold Barcelona and take this to extra time, stands @ 11.00.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.42.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 3.10.
Barcelona are in an exceptional form, and they have players who can cause real trouble against Ceuta from third tier!
In this extremely one sided affair, expect Xavi’s team to win comfortably!
