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La Liga | Gameweek 15
Dec 8, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Messi (17', 65'), Dembele (26'), Suarez (45')

How Barcelona could line up against Espanyol

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up in Saturday's La Liga clash with Espanyol.

The latest instalment of the Catalan derby will take place at RCDE Stadium on Saturday night as Espanyol welcome Barcelona in La Liga.

Espanyol have lost their last three in the league to drop down to seventh position in the table, while Barcelona currently top the pile on 28 points, one point ahead of second-placed Sevilla.

Eight wins, four draws and two defeats - that is how Barcelona have performed in La Liga this season. It has brought them 28 points, which is good enough for first position at this stage, but they have been far from their best.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how the Spanish champions could line up on Saturday night.


POSS BAR XI vs. ESP

Out: Rafinha (knee), Sergi Roberto (hamstring), Samuel Umtiti (knee)

Luis Suarez and Arthur have both recently been on the sidelines with knee and muscular injuries respectively, but the pair trained on Thursday and are expected to be handed spots in the starting XI for this match.

Arturo Vidal is also available following illness, but Sergi Roberto, Rafinha and Samuel Umtiti remain on the sidelines.

Only Nelson Semedo and Ivan Rakitic are expected to keep their spots from the team that started against Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba all returning.

Head coach Ernesto Valverde has a decision to make when it comes to the involvement of Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, meanwhile, with the pair seemingly battling for the starting spot alongside Messi and Luis Suarez in the final third of the field.

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Denis Suarez in action for Barcelona in April 2018
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid35286178225690
2Barcelona35237572432976
3GironaGirona35236675443175
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real BetisBetis35141384641555
7Real Sociedad351412948371154
8Valencia35139133739-248
9Villarreal35139135960-148
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria35211223570-3517


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