MX23RW : Saturday, December 23 22:04:18| >> :120:13540:13540:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 18
Dec 20, 2023 at 6pm UK
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Almeria
Barcelona
3 - 2
Almeria
Raphinha (33'), Roberto (60', 83')
Raphinha (15'), Christensen (21'), Araujo (90')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Baptistao (41'), Gonzalez (71')
Pozo (5'), Lopy (57'), Baba (84')

How Barcelona could line up against Almeria

How Barcelona could line up against Almeria
© Reuters
Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up for Wednesday's La Liga clash with Barcelona at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Barcelona boss Xavi will be forced into at least one change for Wednesday's La Liga clash with basement side Almeria.

If the Catalan giants are to end a three-game winless run in all competitions, they will have to do it without the services of midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The Dutchman will miss the final match of 2023 through suspension after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the La Liga season in Saturday's frustrating draw with Valencia.

In addition to De Jong, Xavi is unable to call upon the injured quartet of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso and Gavi.

With Ter Stegen absent, 24-year-old goalkeeper Inaki Pena will start a seventh consecutive game for the Blaugrana.

The shot-stopper is likely to be shielded by the central defensive pairing of Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo, while Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde are set to operate as the right and left full-backs respectively.

Oriol Romeu, who has started nine league games this season, is expected to come into the side for De Jong and anchor a midfield that will feature Ilkay Gundogan and Pedri.

While Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres are pushing for starting roles, Xavi could keep faith with Raphinha and Joao Felix after the pair combined for the latter to score Barcelona's solitary goal in the weekend's 1-1 draw with Valencia.

The pair are set to offer support to Robert Lewandowski, who will be looking to add to the nine league goals that he has scored this season.

Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Pena; Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Pedri; Raphinha, Felix, Lewandowski

ID:531694:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4171:No Data Analysis info
Game History

How you voted: Barcelona vs Almeria

Barcelona
85.1%
Draw
8.1%
Almeria
6.8%
74
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski on September 23, 2023
Read Next:
Barcelona missing some key players for Royal Antwerp clash
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
MLS Apple TV+ Messi promo
Today's games header
9.30pm
Bengals
@
Steelers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid18143139112845
2GironaGirona18143142212145
3Atletico MadridAtletico18122436191738
4Barcelona18115234211338
5Athletic Bilbao18105334191535
6Real Sociedad1887329181131
7Real BetisBetis1861022018228
8Getafe186842423126
9Las PalmasLas Palmas187471515025
10Valencia186571922-323
11Rayo Vallecano184861624-820
12Osasuna185492129-819
13Villarreal185492635-919
14Mallorca183961722-518
15Sevilla183782325-216
16AlavesAlaves1844101424-1016
17CadizCadiz182971424-1015
18Celta Vigo182791828-1013
19Granada1815122040-208
20Almeria1805131942-235

MLS Apple TV+ Messi promo
New Apple Music general promo - 300x250

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!