Barcelona look to cement their standing because the winter champions of La Liga after they play a monster sport in opposition to third-place Villarreal on the Estadio de la Cerámica of their ultimate match of 2025.
The Blaugrana can head into the vacation break with a snug lead on the prime of the desk with a win on this one, and can be going through a Villarreal aspect which might be on hearth within the league however arrive at this massive sport with a number of key absences and coming off a stunning early exit within the Copa del Rey in midweek.
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Right here’s how we expect Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle:
Protection
Having rested a number of of his common starters within the win over Guadalajara within the Cup on Tuesday, Flick will little doubt go together with his strongest obtainable staff for a key league sport, particularly with a 12-day break earlier than their subsequent sport in opposition to Espanyol to start the brand new yr.
There’s little doubt about who’s beginning on the again because the quartet of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín and Alejandro Balde has established itself as Flick’s first alternative backline over the past month, with Joan Garcia additionally trying actually good since returning in aim.
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Midfield
There may be one main doubt for this one, nevertheless, and it is available in midfield as Pedri missed Friday’s coaching session with a slight calf subject and may be unnoticed as a precaution to make the most of the two-week vacation break and ensure he’s totally match for a really busy and essential stretch of video games in January.
If The Wizard is certainly unnoticed, Frenkie de Jong is the pure alternative alongside the ever-present Eric Garcia within the double pivot. Raphinha will possible begin once more within the quantity 10 position, although Fermín López had a robust outing in midweek and will regain his spot within the XI if Flick decides to be barely extra cautious on the highway.
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Assault
Fermín would possible exchange Marcus Rashford within the lineup which might transfer Raphinha again to his favourite left wing spot, however Rashford scored once more in midweek and we expect Flick will proceed to indicate his religion within the Englishman. Lamine Yamal will begin as regular on the suitable wing, and we expect Ferran Torres will lead the road if Robert Lewandowski will not be 100% recovered from the hamstring and again points that saved him out of the final two video games.
Potential XI: Joan; Kounde, Cubarsí, Martín, Balde; Eric, De Jong; Yamal, Raphinha, Rashford; Ferran (4-2-3-1)
How do you assume Barcelona ought to line up in opposition to Villarreal? Tell us your ideas, predictions and groups within the feedback under!