Barcelona have picked up further injury problems ahead of Saturday's La Liga clash against Villarreal.

Raphinha, Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were again all unavailable for selection against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday and that will remain the case for the league contest with the Yellow Submarine.

However, Alejandro Balde is now facing a spell out with a thigh problem, which forced him off in the first half of the 4-2 loss to Athletic, while Andreas Christensen picked up a calf issue in the same match and will also be absent for this match.

Ronald Araujo said after Wednesday's quarter-final exit that he was currently playing with a knee problem, but he is expected to again be available for selection here.

There is also likely to be a spot in the XI for Joao Cancelo, who was back on the bench against Athletic after recovering from a knee injury.

Cancelo could start at left-back, with Sergi Roberto potentially on the right, but the bulk of the XI that took to the field for the first whistle of the cup fixture last time out should keep their spots.

Joao Felix's form has dropped, and he is unlikely to be considered for a start here, with Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres again expected to support centre-forward Robert Lewandowski, who has not found the back of the net in the league since December 10.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Pena; Roberto, Araujo, Kounde, Cancelo; Pedri, F de Jong, Gundogan; Torres, Lewandowski, Yamal

Written by
Matt Law