Barcelona look to bounce again from a painful defeat in El Clasico with a house sport in opposition to newly-promoted Elche on the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium.
The Catalans proceed to battle to play constant soccer in the midst of an damage disaster that bought even worse with the confirmed absence of Pedri for the subsequent a number of weeks, and the primary sport with out The Wizard is in opposition to the shock bundle of La Liga after the primary three months of the season.
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Right here’s how we expect Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle:
Protection
Barça had a full week to relaxation and put together for this one and have restricted choices as a result of damage anyway, so we anticipate Flick to go together with a powerful XI to ensure of the factors at house forward of two vital away video games in opposition to Membership Brugge and Celta Vigo.
The coach has settled on Pau Cubarsí and Eric Garcia as his favourite center-back partnership and Ronald Araujo appears to be extra of an attacking bench choice than a defensive one proper now, so we expect the Uruguayan can be a substitute once more. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde have been removed from stellar these days, however will possible retain their full-back spots on this one.
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Midfield
Life with out Pedri begins for the primary time beneath Flick, and Frenkie de Jong is predicted to imagine the function of midfield maestro with a extra protection participant alongside him. Marc Casadó is the plain alternative, particularly with Marc Bernal nonetheless not match sufficient to start out and reportedly struggling in coaching. Dani Olmo is again from damage which is nice information, however he’s nonetheless not prepared for large minutes which suggests one other begin for Fermín López within the quantity 10 function.
Assault
Robert Lewandowski has returned from damage and is again in coaching, which is good news given the present nightmare. The Pole isn’t prepared to guide the road from the beginning simply but, although, so we expect Ferran Torres will start up entrance after one other full week to rebuild his health. Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford will possible retain their spots on the wings, although Roony Bardghji and Dro Fernández are in competition if Flick decides to relaxation both of his star attackers for this one.
Attainable XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsí, Eric, Balde; Casadó, De Jong; Yamal, Fermín, Rashford; Ferran (4-2-3-1)
How do you assume Barcelona ought to line up in opposition to Elche? Tell us your ideas, predictions and groups within the feedback beneath!