MX23RW : Monday, December 16 09:14:23| >> :60:699:699:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 3
Sep 27, 2020 at 8pm UK
Camp Nou
Villarreal logo

Barcelona
4 - 0
Villarreal

Fati (15', 19'), Messi (35' pen.), Torres (45' og.)
FT(HT: 4-0)

Moreno (83')

How Barcelona could line up against Villarreal

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

Barcelona will be determined to get their 2020-21 La Liga campaign off to a winning start when they welcome Villarreal to Camp Nou on Sunday night.

The Catalan giants, who were runners-up to Real Madrid in La Liga last season, are now under the leadership of Ronald Koeman, with the Dutchman replacing Quique Setien at the helm.

Barca's involvement in the latter stages of the 2019-20 Champions League means that they are late starters in the league this term, but Villarreal have also played twice in Spain's top flight, picking up four points.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Koeman's side could line up at Camp Nou.


POSS BAR XI vs. VIL

Out: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (knee), Martin Braithwaite (thigh)
Doubtful: Samuel Umtiti (knee)

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

Barca will be without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen until at least the end of October with a knee problem, meaning that the club's number two goalkeeper Neto is set to start between the sticks.

Martin Braithwaite is also out with a thigh problem that he picked up in a practice match after the 1-0 win over Elche in the Joan Gamper Trophy last weekend, while Samuel Umtiti, who continues to be linked with a move away from the club, is unlikely to be involved due to a long-standing knee issue.

A new-look attack could include both Ansu Fati and Philippe Coutinho, with the former signing a new long-term deal at Camp Nou and the latter expected to be given the chance to make his mark under Koeman, having enjoyed a successful loan spell at Bayern Munich last term.

Luis Suarez's exit opens the door for Antoine Griezmann to start through the middle, with Lionel Messi expected to feature in a slightly withdrawn role. At one stage, Messi appeared certain to be leaving the Catalan giants, but the Argentine will spend at least one more season at Camp Nou.

Miralem Pjanic arrived at the club earlier this summer from Juventus, but a two-man midfield could include Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong, while Nelson Semedo's exit means that Sergio Roberto will start at right-back.

Ousmane Dembele has been strongly linked with a move away this summer, but the France international now looks certain to remain at the club and should be on the bench for Sunday's contest.

ID:415917: cacheID:415917:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5539:
Written by
Matt Law
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Antoine Griezmann pictured on June 23, 2020
Read Next:
Bartomeu rules out exits for Dembele, Griezmann
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!