Barcelona hosts Sevilla as title race, presidential vote converge

MADRID, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona has more than three points at stake when it hosts Sevilla in La Liga on Sunday.

Hansi Flick's side will try to protect its place at the top of the table against a Sevilla team that handed Barcelona its heaviest league defeat of the season, a 4-1 loss in October.

Sunday will also bring a major day off the field, with club members set to vote in Barcelona's presidential election. Joan Laporta and Victor Font are the leading figures in the race, although Marc Ciria is also on the ballot.

Laporta has pointed to the club's recent progress on the field and what Barcelona describes as an improving financial picture, while Font has focused on the club's debt burden, delays to the Camp Nou redevelopment and questions over Laporta's leadership.

Font's campaign was boosted this week by support from former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, who accused Laporta of blocking Lionel Messi's return to the club in 2023.

The election campaign does not appear to have disrupted Barcelona on the pitch, although the team looked weary at times in Tuesday's 1-1 draw away to Newcastle United in the first leg of its Champions League round-of-16 tie.

Barcelona was rescued by a stoppage-time penalty from Lamine Yamal after Dani Olmo was fouled. With the return leg to come on Wednesday, Flick could rotate if fitness allows.

Barcelona's options are limited by injuries in defense, and Flick may again need to rely on squad players such as Marcus Rashford, Olmo and Ferran Torres. Torres, however, has struggled for goals, while the physical demands of Barcelona's recent schedule are beginning to show.

That could offer encouragement to a Sevilla side that has edged away from the relegation fight after putting together an unbeaten run in its last five league matches.

Sevilla coach Matias Almeyda will again serve his suspension from the stands. His side is likely to stay compact and look to break quickly, with Akor Adams offering a direct threat in attack and Chidera Ejuke providing pace out wide if fit. ■