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Attendance: 63,054
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La Liga | Gameweek 18
Dec 21, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Alaves logo

4-1

Griezmann (14'), Vidal (45'), Messi (69'), Suarez (75' pen.)
FT(HT: 2-0)
Pons (56')

How Barcelona could line up against Alaves

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

Barcelona will be looking to ensure that they end 2019 top of La Liga when they welcome Alaves to Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon.

Wednesday night's goalless draw with Real Madrid kept Ernesto Valverde's side top of the pile on goal difference heading into the clash with Alaves.

A victory on Saturday should be enough to see the reigning champions enter the winter break in Spain at the summit, although Real Madrid could claim first with a big win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the Catalan giants could line up when they take to the field for their final match of the year.


POSS BAR XI vs. ALA

Out: Ousmane Dembele (hamstring)
Doubtful: Arthur (adductor)

> Click here for Barcelona's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Barca's first-team squad is in relatively good shape at the moment with Ousmane Dembele their only confirmed absentee for the clash with Alaves. It seems unlikely that Arthur will be risked as the midfielder battles an adductor issue, but Valverde otherwise has a strong squad to choose from.

Sergio Busquets was pulled out of the starting XI against Real Madrid despite being named in the initial selection, with the midfielder dropping to the bench and ultimately not being used in El Clasico.

It seems likely that the Spaniard will return on Saturday, though, and he could replace Nelson Semedo with Sergi Roberto dropping from the middle of the park to right-back.

Semedo played for 55 minutes against Zinedine Zidane's side as he looks to recover from a long layoff, and Valverde might take the opportunity to name the Portugal international on the bench.

Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi are likely to continue as the front three, although Ansu Fati impressed during his cameo in El Clasico and could yet be included in the XI.

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Combined XI: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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