Barcelona scratched and clawed their way to a 1-0 win against Atlético Madrid, they have 8 games remaining this season, and out of the 24 points left to play for, they need 14 to win La Liga, and if they somehow pull it all together and win them all, they get the coveted 100-point season. Let’s realistically see how many points Barcelona will get in the last 8 matches. Let’s begin.
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona
Barcelona always have a hard time vs Rayo, as do many top teams. Barcelona still hasn’t scored against them in 3 games since their 2021 promotion, losing 1-0 once and drawing 0-0 the other two times. With Barcelona in a bad scoring moment, you may not see them getting the win in this one, but I beg to differ. With Dembélé back in the team and potentially Lamine Yamal getting his first team debut at the age of 15, Barcelona will be full of attacking flair. Robert Lewandowski is due to start scoring again, so I see a Barcelona victory.
My Prediction: Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Barcelona
Barcelona vs Real Betis
Real Betis have been a very inconsistent team recently, especially after their match vs Man Utd. 2 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses in their last 7 games. I see Betis coming into this match with a spark, though, after a 3+ goal win over Sociedad. They were very close to getting something in the reverse fixture, so they’ll have a chip on their shoulder. That being said, I think Barcelona will be just too much for them.
My prediction: Barcelona 1-0 Real Betis
Barcelona vs Osasuna
On good form, Barcelona’s confidence will be sky-high going into this Osasuna match. I think Lewandowski and Dembele will put on a show as Barcelona get two early goals and then put on cruise control to easily dispatch Osasuna.
My Prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna
Espanyol vs Barcelona
The Catalonia derby is always tough for Barca, and this one will be no different. An Espanyol side that has a taste for blood will come out guns blazing, and it will catch Barca off guard with an early goal. Barca will look the better side for the majority of the rest of the game and salvage a point.
My prediction: Espanyol 1-1 Barcelona
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad
Barcelona always have fun vs Sociedad, scoring 15 goals against them in their last 4 league matches against them, including a 6-1 away win in 2021 and 4-1 win in the reverse fixture which saw Alex Isak’s last goal for Sociedad and Robert Lewandowski’s first for Barca. I think Barca will do well again in this one, although not as well as usual.
My prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Real Sociedad
Real Valladolid vs Barcelona
Barcelona can win La Liga by winning this, and I think they will. It will be an Onecelona special, with Pedri scoring in the first half, and Barcelona just defending the rest of the game, scuffing a few chances, and losing every fan a couple of weeks of their life as they get a tight 1-0 win.
My prediction: Real Valladolid 0-1 Barcelona
Barcelona vs Mallorca
After winning the league, Barca will be a little out of focus, leaving Mallorca to score first. Barcelona will, like the Espanyol game, will go at the equalizer hard and get it, but no winner. In addition, it will also likely be a rotated side, featuring the likes of Angel Alarcón, Marc Casado, Aleix Garrido, and potentially even Estanis Pedrola or Lamine Yamal.
My prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Mallorca
Celta Vigo vs Barcelona
Saving one of the worst until last, if Celta have bad luck between now and then, Barcelona could finally relegate them. The last time Barcelona played the away day at Celta, they had a 3-0 lead at half-time, and ending up drawing 3-3. They’ve only won once away against Celta since the 2015-16 season. I see Barca once again drawing, and then lifting the title to cap off the season.
My prediction: Celta 0-0 Barcelona
This sees Barcelona get 18 of the 24 points still to play for, and finishing on 94 points, even better than their sublime 2017-18 season. They’d be tied for their 4th best points tally ever with the treble winning 2014-15 season. They’d finish with 11 conceded goals, by far their best ever defensive season. Marc-André ter Stegen would finish with 29 clean sheets, 3 higher than the record. Overall, a great season, capped by the potential return of Leo Messi next season. Barcelona is a force. I’m Jim James, until next time.