Barcelona have managed to register Jules Kounde for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Valladolid.

Kounde was forced to miss the team's opening two games of the league season against Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad, having not been registered, but the issue has been solved ahead of this game.

Head coach Xavi is likely to resist the temptation to throw the Frenchman straight into the side, but there are expected to be alterations from the team that started against Real Sociedad.

Barcelona played a 3-2-4-1 formation at Reale Arena and managed to record a 4-1 win, but Real Valladolid will provide a different test this weekend, so Xavi could change back to a 4-3-3.

Sergio Busquets missed out against the White and Blues through suspension but is expected to return to the starting side here, so Frenkie de Jong could drop to the bench.

Jordi Alba is also likely to return on the left, while there should be a spot in the final third of the field for Raphinha alongside Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski.

Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen could play in the middle of the defence, with Ronald Araujo at right-back, while Pedri and Gavi may join Busquets in midfield.

Ansu Fati put himself in contention with a goal off the bench against Real Sociedad, but Barcelona are carefully monitoring the youngster's fitness due to his recent injury problems, so the Spain international is again expected to be among the substitutes for the start of the contest.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Christensen, Garcia, Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Raphinha

Written by
Matt Law