Barcelona will kick off their preparations for the 2022-23 campaign with a pre-season friendly against Spanish fourth-tier outfit Olot on Wednesday.
The visitors are building towards their La Liga opener at home to Rayo Vallecano on August 13, and it has already been a busy summer for the club in terms of incomings and outgoings.
Olot played in the Tecera Divisio RFEF – Group 5 last season, which is the fifth division of the Spanish league hierarchy, but they will be in the fourth tier for the 2022-23 following their promotion.
Manix Mandiola’s side had been relegated to the fifth tier in 2020-21, but they have managed to secure promotion to the Segunda Division RFEF at the first attempt.
Olot have let five first-team players move on ahead of the new campaign, and there is expected to be more business undertaken before the transfer window closes.
The encounter with Barcelona will provide the players with the perfect chance to test themselves at the highest level, and it will be fascinating to see how they perform against their famous opponents.
Meanwhile, Barcelona ended last season without a trophy, suffering disappointment in the Copa del Rey, Champions League and Europa League, while they finished second in the La Liga table behind Real Madrid.
Xavi’s side have big plans for this summer despite their financial issues, with deals for Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Leeds United’s Raphinha believed to be progressing.
The Catalan outfit will face Inter Miami, Real Madrid, Juventus, New York Red Bulls and Pumas UNAM as part of their preparations for the new campaign.
Their 2022-23 La Liga campaign will begin with a contest at home against Rayo Vallecano on August 13, while they will also take on Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid in the opening month of the new season.
Olot vs Barcelona head to head
The two teams have not previously met in any competition and this will be the first time they have an encounter in a club friendly match.
Olot latest home form
Olot have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Tenerife II 1-0 in their last home game in Tercera Division. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded two.
Olot 1-0 Sant Andreu 10/04/22
Olot 2-1 Vilassar Mar 24/04/22
Olot 1-0 Sant Andreu 07/05/22
Olot 1-1 Girona II 15/05/22
Olot 1-0 Tenerife II 22/05/22
Olot latest away form
Olot have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their three most recent matches. They managed to defeat Sants 3-2 in their last away game in the Tercera Division. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded seven.
San Cristobal 3-1 Olot 20/02/22
Asco 1-0 Olot 05/03/22
Granollers 0-0 Olot 20/03/22
L’Hospitalet 1-1 Olot 03/04/22
Sants 2-3 Sant Andreu 10/04/22
Barcelona latest home form
Barcelona have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, as they have won just two of their six most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Villarreal in their last home game in La Liga. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded six.
Barcelona 0-1 Cadiz 18/04/22
Barcelona 0-1 Rayo Vallecano 24/04/22
Barcelona 2-1 Mallorca 01/05/22
Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo 10/05/22
Barcelona 0-2 Villarreal 22/05/22
Barcelona latest away form
Barcelona have recently been on a good run of form on the road, and they have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They defeated A-League All Stars 3-2 in their last away game in Hybrid Friendlies. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded five.
Levante 2-3 Barcelona 10/04/22
Real Sociedad 0-1 Barcelona 21/04/22
Real Betis 1-2 Barcelona 07/05/22
Getafe 0-0 Barcelona 15/05/22
A-League All Stars 2-3 Barcelona 25/05/22
Olot news
Olot boss Mandiola will make use of his squad on Wednesday, with two different XIs potentially starting each half.
Olot are likely to have some new faces in their squad for this contest, with recent signings Ferran Brugue and Ernest Forgas potentially starting in the final third of the field.
Barcelona news
New arrivals Kessie and Christensen are both in line to make their debuts, and it will not be a surprise to see the pair in the starting XI on Wednesday.
Memphis Depay’s future has been the subject of much speculation, but he is expected to do a full pre-season with Barcelona.
Prediction and Odds
When comparing the quality within the two sides, there is an absolutely big margin, and Barcelona are definitely the favourites to come away with all three points.
We are finding it difficult to predict anything other than a victory for the Catalan giants in this pre-season contest on Wednesday.
Odds: 1 3.20 X 2.00 2 1.62
Probable outcomes
Olot 0-2 Barcelona
Olot 0-3 Barcelona
Olot 0-4 Barcelona
Olot 0-5 Barcelona
Olot 1-6 Barcelona


















