Competition: Spanish Super Cup Date: 15 August 2016 Kick-off: 09:00 p.m. (BST) On aggregate: 0 – 0 Venue: Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan (Sevilla)

Barcelona will face Europa League champions Sevilla in Spanish Super Cup first leg match in the stadium Sanchez Pizjuan. The match is scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. BST, or 4 p.m. EST depending on which side of the globe you are on.

Sevilla will be playing in their second tournament of the new season 2016/17, despite the fact that La Liga has yet to be started. Sevilla played European Super Cup against Real Madrid just five days ago on the account of being Europa League champions and will play Spanish Super Cup due to being finalists of last year’s Copa Del Rey, as Barcelona claimed the title. Although the match is actually played between Spanish League champions and Cup champions, Barcelona’s victory in both tournaments means Sevilla will have the opportunity to stop Lionel Messi and his pals, and take home the trophy.

Sevilla: Team News

Despite being on the losing side against Real Madrid on Tuesday, Sevilla have many positive sides to look forward to. Many believed Sevilla deserved to win the Cup against Real Madrid but the “Sergio Ramos effect” helped Madrid again, as he netted injury time equalizer and also extra time winner to lead his team to victory.

Sevilla’s new manager Jorge Sampaoli expects his team to be brave and interrupt the flow of Barcelona play. The Argentinean manager prefers his team to have possession as much as possible, so it will be really interesting how his new team will thwart the possession game Barcelona are so renowned for.

Sevilla: Predicted Line-up (3-4-3)

Rico — Mercado, Rami, Jose Antonio — Mariano, N’Zonzi, Iborra, Vitolo — Konoplyanka, Vietto, Vazquez

Barcelona: Team News

Luis Suarez had a seriously good season with #Barca—still missed out on the #UEFABestPlayer in Europe shortlist ???? pic.twitter.com/THayG11rGP — Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) August 5, 2016

About an year ago, when Barcelona and Sevilla played in European Super Cup, Sevilla nearly embarrassed Luis Enrique’s side as Barcelona lost three goal lead, from 4-1 to 4-4, despite claiming victory in extra time, thanks to late Pedro winner.

Marko Grujic's superb header into the top corner to make it #LFC 4 - 0 #Barca pic.twitter.com/XzrYJ53YhY — DannyO (@DanOlay) August 6, 2016

This time around, Barcelona have to learn from their mistakes from past meetings, although it is easier said than done. In four pre-season games this summer, Barcelona have conceded nine goals and lost against Liverpool 4-0; a very poor result for a team of Barcelona’s caliber. So defensively the Blaugrana have to improve, and improve soon if they wish to challenge for major honors this season. Barcelona have paid huge fee for the transfers of defenders Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne, and they will be expected to bolster shaky Barcelona backline.

Barcelona star man Lionel Messi, who has recently come out of international retirement to play for Argentina again, has shone brightly in the pre-season games. He, along with Luis Suarez, is expected to break solid Sevilla’s defense. Lionel Messi, who many believe is the greatest of all time, is the most decorated player in Barcelona history, along with Andres Iniesta, and he can add another title in his name on Sunday evening.

Barcelona: Predicted Line-up (4-3-3)

Bravo — Roberto, Pique, Mascherano, Digne — Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta — Messi, Suarez, Munir

Sevilla Vs. Barcelona: Head to Head statistics

Unsurprisingly, Barcelona have dominated the past fixtures between these two clubs. Out of 49 games against Sevilla, Barcelona have won 28 of them, more than double from that of Sevilla who came out on top in 11 meetings.

The last two games have seen Sevilla beaten by Barcelona, one in Copa Del Rey final last season and another in the Camp Nou in La Liga. But it is almost a fact that Sevilla are a different beast when they play at home; the last time the Andalusians faced Barcelona at home, they were victorious with 2-1 final score.

Sevilla Vs. Barcelona: Prediction

Although, on paper, Barcelona are favorites, the game will be very tight. Sevilla have enough quality to punish Barcelona for their mistakes on the night, and looking at the form of Barcelona defense, Sevilla might have a chance to pull a shock victory.

Sevilla Vs. Barcelona: Betting Odds and Tips

(Odds via Sky Bet)

Barcelona win: 4/6 A Draw: 3/1 Sevilla win: 19/5 Messi to score and Barcelona to win in normal time: 15/8 Luciano Vietto to Score and Sevilla to win in normal time: 8/1

Sevilla Vs. Barcelona: Live Stream

The live streaming of the match of the Spanish Super Cup clash between Barcelona and Sevilla can be enjoyed in the link provided in the tweet above or by clicking here.

[Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images]