Barcelona return home after a successful Champions League trip to Dortmund and must move on quickly to a very important La Liga game against struggling Leganés, as the Catalans look to improve their league form after dropping points in four of their last five games.
Barça could very well find themselves in second place at kickoff if Real Madrid win their match on Saturday, and must pick up all three points against a relegation canddiate to return to the top of the table ahead of a monster clash with Atlético Madrid next weekend.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle.
Defense
FC Barcelona v UD Las Palmas - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Barça’s boss has never been known for rotating his sides throughout his coaching career, and even though there is some good depth right now Flick is unlikely to make too many changes given the importance of a victory in this one, especially with the extra day of rest as the team playing on Sunday night.
Iñaki Peña is now firmly established as the starting goalkeeper and will likely have the same back four in front of him as Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez and Alejandro Balde are expected to start once again.
Ronald Araujo is back in the squad and has an outside chance of making the starting XI, but we think the Uruguayan will likely make his season debut as a substitute in the second half given Flick’s track record of taking it slow with the return of injured players.
Midfield
FC Barcelona v UD Las Palmas - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
The midfield is the most likely area to see changes if Flick does decide to rotate on Sunday, with Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Fermín López all ready to go in case Marc Casadó and/or Pedri are given a rest.
We don’t think that’ll be the case, however, and that Flick will choose to capitalize on the great form of one of his forwards (hold that thought) to go with an ultra-attacking setup and have Raphinha drop back into the central area as a number 10, with Dani Olmo going to the bench to preserve his fitness.
Attack
FC Barcelona v UD Las Palmas - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
The form of Ferran Torres simply cannot be ignored as the Shark has scored four goals in the last week and has likely played his way into the starting XI at Olmo’s expense and alongside all three of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in this one.
There’s also a chance both Ferran and Olmo start with Lewandowski coming off the bench given Flick’s tendency of managing the Pole’s minutes lately, but we think the coach will go with a very attacking lineup to blitz Leganés, secure a big early lead, and rest his big names in the final period.
Possible XI: Peña; Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde; Casadó, Pedri; Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Leganés? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!