Barcelona are scheduled to take on Real Madrid in the La Liga this weekend and Xavi will be hoping that their blemishless run continues.
Barca are the only team in the league who are yet to lose a match this season and right now, they are just one point behind league leaders Real Madrid. A win this weekend and the Blaugranas could move to the top.
This is a home game for Xavi’s team and they will go into this match with a lot of confidence because they are undefeated in their last 10 league matches plus they have also kept the most clean sheets(5) in the competition. The recent record is more or less evenly divided with Barcelona winning three and Madrid winning two out of their previous five encounters.
Barcelona team news and injuries:
DEFENCE:
Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto are the two defenders who are going to miss out. Roberto’s absence won’t be a problem because Xavi has Joao Cancelo in his squad.
Inigo Martinez and Araujo are going to play in central defence but Marcos Alonso, who played at left-back against Shakhtar in midweek will move to the bench to make way for Balde.
MIDFIELD:
The midfield area is going to be the major cause of concern for the Barcelona manager because Frenkie de Jong is already ruled out and Xavi has made it clear that he is not going to risk Pedri this weekend.
With two big names missing, the manager has very limited options and there’s no way he can make any changes from the Shakhtar game. Fermin Lopez scored one and assisted one in midweek but he will have to make way because Gavi is going to come into the side while Gundogan and Romeu will hold onto their places.
ATTACK:
Raphinha is out with a hamstring injury while Robert Lewandowski is recovering from an ankle injury. If this was not bad enough then Joao Felix was forced off with a suspected injury during their midweek win and he’s now a doubt for the El Clasico.
Felix himself has claimed that he only suffered a minor knock so hopefully, he will be available for selection.
Youngster Lamine Yamal continues his run in the first team and with Raphinha out till November, the 16-year-old will hold onto his place.
Lewandowski’s absence has been a big blow because ever since he’s been out, the goals have dried up for Barcelona. Ferran Torres will play up front and he will have to be in peak form if Barca wants to pick up three points.
Barcelona predicted line up vs Real Madrid:
Predicted Starting XI(4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Balde, Martinez, Araujo, Cancelo; Gavi, Romeu, Gundogan; Felix, Torres, Yamal.
