Barcelona will attempt to maintain their perfect start to the La Liga season when newly-promoted Racing Santander visit Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.

Hansi Flick’s side have swept aside everything in their path during the opening weeks of 2026-27, but Racing have also adapted encouragingly to life back in the top flight and travel to Catalonia having taken seven points from their first five matches.

Analysis

Barcelona

Five league matches, five victories and 21 goals provide a fairly emphatic summary of Barcelona’s start to the campaign. Flick’s team have been devastating going forward, with Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Levante maintaining their 100% La Liga record and keeping them three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Their domestic form has also transferred seamlessly to Europe. Barcelona opened their Champions League campaign by dismantling Feyenoord 5-1, meaning they have scored nine goals across their last two competitive fixtures alone.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have been at the centre of the attacking explosion. Both have already struck six times in La Liga, and Raphinha’s effectiveness in a more central role has added another dimension to a forward line that opposing defences have struggled to contain.

The challenge for Flick is therefore less about finding a winning formula and more about managing his resources during a demanding run of fixtures.

Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji remain sidelined with knee injuries, while Gerard Martin suffered a facial cut against Levante. Even if Martin is cleared to play, Flick has sufficient defensive options to give him the night off, with Andreas Christensen among those pushing for involvement.

Anthony Gordon is expected to retain his place alongside Raphinha and Yamal in attack, while Xavi Espart could continue at left-back.

History is also overwhelmingly on Barcelona’s side. They have won the last eight meetings between these clubs and Racing’s most recent victory over the Catalans came more than two decades ago, in January 2004.

Racing Santander

Racing’s return to La Liga has started promisingly enough to suggest that they are capable of competing at this level. After winning the Segunda Division last season, Jose Alberto Lopez’s team have collected two victories and a draw from their opening five matches, putting seven points on the board.

Their latest success came against Alaves, with Racing earning a 2-1 victory that moved them into the top half of the early standings.

There has certainly been no shortage of entertainment. Racing have scored nine times already, an excellent return for a newly-promoted team, but they have conceded the same number.

That openness could become particularly problematic at Camp Nou. Barcelona are currently punishing even minor defensive mistakes, and Racing’s willingness to commit players forward could leave spaces for Yamal and the rest of Flick’s attack to exploit. Finding the right balance between retaining their own attacking identity and protecting themselves in transition will be Lopez’s biggest tactical problem.

Their away results provide another concern. Racing have lost both of their league matches on the road since returning to the top flight, and Wednesday represents a considerable increase in difficulty.

There are nevertheless attacking reasons for optimism. Yassir Zabiri has enjoyed a superb introduction to La Liga, scoring five goals from his first five appearances. The 21-year-old gives Racing a genuine threat in the final third, while the experience and technical quality of Sergio Canales could be crucial if the visitors are to retain possession for meaningful periods.

Lopez is without Simon Eriksson and Andres Martin through injury, while Andre Almeida is suspended. Otherwise, there may be little reason to substantially alter the team that defeated Alaves.

Verdict

Racing’s willingness to attack has made them an entertaining addition to La Liga, and nine goals from five matches suggests they are capable of troubling Barcelona rather than simply spending 90 minutes defending their penalty area.

Unfortunately for the visitors, that approach also carries considerable risk.

Barcelona have scored more than four goals per league game so far, with Raphinha and Yamal both in exceptional form. Add the five goals scored against Feyenoord in Europe, and Flick’s side currently possess arguably the most difficult attack in Spain to contain.

Racing may contribute to the scoring, particularly given that Barcelona conceded twice against Levante, but keeping the hosts quiet at the other end looks a far greater challenge.

Our prediction: Barcelona 4-1 Racing Santander.

Tip

Our tip: Barcelona to win and both teams to score.