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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid37297187266194
2Barcelona37257577433482
3GironaGirona37246778463278
4Atletico MadridAtletico372341068432573
5Athletic Bilbao371811860372365
6Real Sociedad371612951371460
7Real BetisBetis37141494845356
8Villarreal371410136464052
9Valencia37139153843-548
10AlavesAlaves37129163545-1045
11Osasuna37128174455-1144
12Getafe371013144152-1143
13Sevilla371011164752-541
14Celta Vigo371010174455-1140
15Las PalmasLas Palmas37109183246-1439
16Rayo Vallecano37814152947-1838
17Mallorca37716143143-1237
RCadizCadiz37615162549-2433
RGranada3749243872-3421
RAlmeria37212233774-3718


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