After playing to a disappointing 2-2 draw against Mallorca on the road, Barcelona will look to bounce back tomorrow when they host Sevilla.
Due to Barcelona’s draw, Girona now leads La Liga with 19 points, while Real Madrid drops to second with 18 points.
The blaugranes will be missing Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, two of their top players.
The former was hurt in a match against Celta Vigo and won’t be able to play again until at least November. However, Pedri may rejoin the squad after next month’s international break.
Despite Sevilla’s 12th-place standing and lackluster play, Xavi will likely start his best players because of the game’s historic significance.
Defence
There have been rumblings that Ronald Araujo will start this weekend’s game. With Joules Kounde’s inclusion and Andreas Christensen’s rest, he should get the nod.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who made two costly errors against Mallorca, will be protected by this duo as he tries to regain his form.
Since joining Barcelona, Joao Cancelo has played nearly 400 minutes in five games. He has also played more than 90 minutes for Portugal. His replacement as captain, Sergi Roberto, could benefit from a rest.
The left side of defense should be completed by left-back Alejandro Balde.
Midfield
Against Mallorca, Oriol Romeu had his first poor performance for Barcelona. With Frenkie de Jong and Pedri sidelined, however, the Spaniard has a good chance at starting and will look to shore up the defense in the middle of the field.
Romeu will attempt to make amends. (Image by Getty Images/Rafa Babot)
This means that not only will Ilkay Gundogan and Gavi likely start, but Fermin Lopez will likely sit on the bench.
Attack
Although Robert Lewandowski did not begin the week in the starting lineup, he should be reinstated as the team’s primary no. 9 player.
Since switching to a more traditional 4-3-3 formation, the Pole has been red hot for Barça, contributing to four goals and three assists in as many games.
For the first time in five matches for Barcelona and Portugal, Joao Felix did not score or assist. Despite this, he will continue to start on the left wing with Ferran Torres on the bench.
Xavi made a comment about limiting Lamine Yamal’s playing time, but with next week’s Champions League match against Porto, the coach will want Raphinha fresh. Therefore, the 16-year-old will most likely be starting.
Substitutions
Regardless of the situation, Xavi will be quick to bring on Ferran Torres from the bench.
Joao Cancelo, meanwhile, can be deployed either in the center of the field (midfield) or on the right side of the defense (right back), depending on the needs of the team.
Since Yamal is unlikely to play the full 90 minutes, Raphinha, who was named Man of the Match in the most recent game against Mallorca, could get the nod.
Due to a lack of midfielders, Fermin Lopez, who scored his first goal for blaugranes on Sunday, could make a return to the starting lineup. Balde’s resting replacement could be Marcos Alonso.