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Barcelona logo
Copa del Rey | Round of 16
Jan 17, 2019 at 8.30pm UK
 
Levante logo

3-0

Dembele (30', 31'), Messi (54')
FT(HT: 2-0)

How Barcelona could line up against Levante

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up against Levante in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night.

Barcelona have work to do if they are to advance to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, having suffered a 2-1 defeat to Levante in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

A late Philippe Coutinho penalty saw Barcelona register in the first leg last week, but Levante will take an advantage into the second leg at Camp Nou on Thursday.

The Catalan giants returned to winning ways at the weekend, however, as a 3-0 home success over Eibar made it six straight La Liga victories.

Ernesto Valverde's side are once again five points clear at the top of La Liga and will now switch their focus back to the Copa del Rey – a competition which they have won a record 30 times.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how the holders could line up for the second leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey tie at Camp Nou.


POSS BAR XI vs. LEV

Out: Rafinha (knee), Samuel Umtiti (knee)
Doubtful: Thomas Vermaelen (muscle), Sergi Samper (calf)

Barcelona will once again be without the services of Rafinha and Samuel Umtiti, while Sergi Samper and Thomas Vermaelen are also expected to miss out despite the pair entering the latter stages of their recoveries.

Jasper Cillessen, Carles Alena, Arturo Vidal and Ousmane Dembele should return, but Valverde might opt for more experience at the back, with Juan Miranda finding it difficult in the first leg last week.

Jeison Murillo was arguably Barcelona's best defender on his debut in the first leg though and the recent arrival from Valencia should make the XI again.

Ideally, Valverde would have wanted to rest both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez again, but the need for goals is expected to see the pair make the XI.

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Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring against Real Madrid in El Clasico on October 28, 2018
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