The reigning champions, Barcelona, will look to close the gap at the top of the table when they face Real Oviedo in a La Liga clash on Thursday.
The Catalan giants have enjoyed a dominant start to their La Liga 2025/26 season, winning four out of five matches and drawing one. Hansi Flick's side are coming off a 3-0 victory against Getafe last time out, thanks to the first-half brace scored by striker Ferran Torres and then Dani Olmo notching up a strong 62nd-minute goal.
On the other end, newly promoted Real Oviedo have been struggling after promoting to the Spanish top flight. The hosts have only collected just three points from their opening five matches. Los Azules suffered a 0-1 loss to fellow newly promoted side Elche in a close contest in their recent game.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Real Oviedo vs. Barcelona live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this La Liga match in the U.S.:
TV channel: N/A
Live stream: ESPN Select
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the English Language. Streaming options are available on ESPN Select.
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What time does Real Oviedo vs. Barcelona kick off?
This La Liga clash takes place at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo, Spain and kicks off on Thursday, September 25 at 9:30 p.m. local time (CEST).
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Thu, Sept. 25 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Central Time | Thu, Sept. 25 | 2:30 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Thu, Sept. 25 | 1:30 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Thu, Sept. 25 | 12:30 p.m. |
Real Oviedo vs. Barcelona lineups, team news
The hosts will miss out on the services of Alvaro Lemos (knee), David Costas, and Ovie Ejaria (both muscle), who are all sidelined with their injuries and will remain out against Barcelona.
Defensive duo Nacho Vidal (hamstring) and Luka Ilic (ankle) were both forced off against Elche and are unlikely to feature on Thursday with their fitness concerns. Meanwhile, Uruguayan striker Fede Vinas is all set to return after his one-match suspension.
Boss Veljko Paunovic is likely to switch to a three-back system where Lucas Ahijado and Rahim Alhassane will be operating as wing-backs, while midfielder duo Santiago Colombatto and Santi Cazorla will be hoping to get a start in the final XI.
Real Oviedo predicted starting XI (3-4-1-2): Escandell (GK) — Bailly, Carmo, Calvo — Ahijado, Dendoncker, Reina, Alhassane — Colombatto — Chaira, Rondon.
Injured: Lemos (knee), Costas, Ejaria (both muscle), Vidal (hamstring) and Ilic (ankle)
Suspended: None
As for the Barcelona, Fermin Lopez has been confirmed to remain sidelined for three weeks after sustaining a groin injury against Getafe, while Gavi is required to undergo surgery on his knee issue.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back) and Alejandro Balde (hamstring) will remain sidelined with their injuries, and Lamine Yamal, who has missed Barca’s last three matches with a groin issue, is unlikely to feature.
Marcus Rashford, who was dropped to the bench against Getafe, is expected to return to the starting lineup against Real Oviedo.
Barcelona predicted starting XI (4-3-3): J. Garcia (GK) — Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin — Pedri, De Jong, Casado — Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres.
Injured: Ter Stegen (back), Gavi (knee), Lopez (groin) and Balde (hamstring)
Suspended: Milla
La Liga schedule this week
Thursday, September 25
- Osasuna vs. Elche (1:30 p.m. ET)
- Real Oviedo vs. Barcelona (3:30 p.m. ET)
Friday, September 26
- Girona vs. Espanyol (3 p.m. ET)
Saturday, September 27
- Getafe vs. Levante (8 a.m. ET)
- Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid (10:15 a.m. ET)
- Real Mallorca vs. Alaves (12:30 p.m. ET)
- Villarreal vs. Athletic Bilbao (3 p.m. ET)
Sunday, September 28
- Rayo Vallecano vs. Sevilla (8 a.m. ET)
- Elche vs. Celta Vigo (10:15 a.m. ET)
- Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad (12:30 p.m. ET)
- Real Betis vs. Osasuna (3 p.m. ET)
Monday, September 29
- Valencia vs. Real Oviedo (3 p.m. ET)