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La Liga | Gameweek 23
Feb 10, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
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How Barcelona could line up against Athletic Bilbao

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up in Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday night.

Ernesto Valverde's side have drawn their last two against Valencia and Real Madrid in the league and Copa del Rey respectively, but they will be confident of putting three points on the board when they visit Bilbao.

Barcelona dropped points in La Liga for the first time since the end of November last weekend when Valencia claimed a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou.

However, the table suggests that Valverde's team are still in a strong position. Indeed, they have a six-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid, while Real Madrid are eight points behind in third ahead of the latest round of fixtures in Spain's top flight.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how Barcelona could line up against Bilbao.


POSS BAR XI vs. BIL

Out: Rafinha (knee), Samuel Umtiti (knee), Jasper Cillessen (muscle), Arthur (hamstring), Jordi Alba (suspended)
Doubtful: Lionel Messi (thigh)

Lionel Messi has been training separately from his teammates this week in a bid to be fit for the clash at San Mames.

A thigh problem meant that the Argentine could only play a small part of Wednesday's clash with Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, but Valverde is hopeful that he will be able to call upon his star player from the start this weekend.

Samuel Umtiti has returned to light training following a knee injury, but the Frenchman will be unavailable for a few more weeks, while Rafinha and Jasper Cillessen are still on the sidelines.

Jordi Alba will serve a one-match suspension, meanwhile, which should see Nelson Semedo and Sergi Roberto start in the full-back positions.

Ousmane Dembele is also in contention having recovered from an ankle injury and a subsequent fever, but Brazilian midfielder Arthur will spend the next four weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid35286178225690
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Villarreal35139135960-148
9Valencia34138133739-247
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
17Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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