La Liga enter week 25 fixtures on Friday as Espanyol welcome Huesca to the RCDE stadium on Friday.
Sevilla will welcome Barcelona to Estadio Ramon in one of the interesting fixtures scheduled for this weekend. Sevilla are in the race for a top-four finish while their opponent are in firm position in the race for the title as they narrowly defeated Real Valladolid 1-0 last week to remain at the top of the La Liga standings with 54 points.
The Catalans are unconvincing in their recent matches as they hardly find the back of net. Valverde’s men couldn’t convert any of their chances against Lyon in the week’s Champions League fixture.
The Ligue 1 side managed a goalless draw against Barcelona, thanks to a resolute defending and the Blaugranas wasteful nature in front of goal.
They will hope to improve their goalscoring form when the travel to Estadio Ramon on Saturday if they must get any positive results against an in-form Sevilla who are fourth on the log.
How will Valverde’s starting lineup look like ahead of the must-win clash? Here is his possible lineup…
Rafinha (knee), Jasper Cillessen (muscle), Arthur (hamstring), Thomas Vermaelen (calf) are all out of action due to injury. Samuel Umtiti still remains a doubt for the game but he could be back in time to regain his place in Valverde’s starting XI.
The Frenchman hasn’t feature for the Blaugranas since November as result of his knee injury; however, he was on the substitute bench against Lyon as he is on his road to full recovery.
Goalkeeper
Ter Stegen is surely set for a place in goal after keeping a clean sheet against Lyon during the week.
Defence
Samuel Umtiti could partner Gerrard Pique at the heart of defense, though, it remains unknown if he will be in good shape for the encounter.
Nelson Semedo is set to retain his place at the right-back position after putting up a brave display in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter. Jordi Alba is also set to retain his spot at the left-back position.
Midfield
Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets are certain to make Valverde’s squad for tomorrow’s game. Both players were lively against Lyon and they are sure bet for a place in Barca’s starting lineup.
Arturo Vidal is likely to return to the middle of the park after sitting on the bench in the week. The former Juventus man was replaced by Sergi Roberto against Lyon but he’s tipped to regain his place.
Attack
Despite his dry spell in front of goal, Luis Suarez remains undisputed in Valverde’s team and the Uruguayan is set to lead the frontline against Sevilla.
Lionel Messi, who scored Barca’s lone goal against Real Valladolid last week, is definitely untouchable in the team and he is set to be in the first XI.
Young winger Ousmane Dembele seems to have returned back to fine form and he is set for a place at the flank of the attack.
Possible line-up
Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti , Alba; Busquets, Vidal, Rakitic; Dembele, L Suarez, Messi