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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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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid32256170224881
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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