Barcelona will be looking for their eighth straight win in all competitions when they travel to Levante in Spain's top flight on Saturday afternoon.
The Catalan giants have won their first five in La Liga to move to the summit, while Levante are 10th having gathered 14 points from their 11 league matches this season.
Match preview
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Four wins, two draws and five defeats - that is how Levante have performed in La Liga this season. A total of 14 points has left them in 10th position in the table, which represents a strong start for the Valencia-based club.
Levante are currently competing in their third straight season at this level, having earned promotion from the Segunda Division at the end of the 2016-17 campaign. The Frogs have finished 15th in La Liga in each of the last two seasons, while they have not been higher than 14th since claiming 10th in 2013-14.
Levante do have previous when it comes to finishing high up the table, though, as they ended the 2011-12 season in sixth position. It is a huge ask to expect them to challenge for a top-six spot this term, but they arguably have a squad capable of pushing for a top-10 finish.
Paco Lopez's side will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad on Wednesday night, which came after back-to-back defeats to Sevilla and Espanyol. They actually won two of their first three league matches of the season before suffering a 3-2 loss away to Real Madrid on September 14.
There is no question that the hosts are the underdogs for this match, but Levante ran out 5-4 winners against Barca on home soil in May 2018. That said, the Catalan giants gained revenge last season as they put five unanswered goals past the Frogs in the corresponding match.
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Barca have not been without their problems this season, but the Spanish champions are currently in a fine run of form having won their last seven matches in all competitions.
At the time of writing, Ernesto Valverde's side are top of La Liga on 22 points, one point clear of second-placed Real Madrid. Granada will have the chance to return to the summit late on Thursday night, although Barca would regain first spot if they manage to triumph in Valencia on Saturday afternoon.
Barca's run of wins started at home to Villarreal on September 24; they have beaten Inter Milan and Slavia Prague in the Champions League since then, in addition to league successes over Getafe, Sevilla, Eibar and Real Valladolid without really breaking a sweat.
The champions put five past Valladolid at Camp Nou on Tuesday night, and they will fancy their chances of winning their next three in the league against Levante, Celta Vigo and Leganes before visiting the Wanda Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid at the start of December.
Lionel Messi finally appears to be over his early-season injury problems, and the Argentine has scored four times and registered three assists in his last three La Liga outings, which could spell bad news for Levante.
Levante form: LDWLLW
Barcelona form: WWWWW
Team News
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Levante have a fairly lengthy injury list at the moment, with Tono, Oier Olazabal, Rober Pier and Cheick Doukoure among those unavailable for selection.
Head coach Lopez has no fresh concerns from the win over Sociedad during the week, though, and Jose Luis Morales and on-loan Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral should continue as the front two.
Roger Marti is an option for change, though, while the likes of Sergio Leon are also pushing to make the XI.
Barca have had their injury problems this season but things are now looking fairly good for the champions.
Samuel Umtiti could again miss out this weekend with a knee problem, although the France international is no longer first choice for Valverde's side.
Jordi Alba had to be replaced in the latter stages of the clash with Valladolid due to a knock, but it is thought that the Spain international will shake off the problem to start this weekend.
Elsewhere, Ousmane Dembele is available having served a two-game domestic ban, but Antoine Griezmann is expected to return to the starting XI to feature alongside Luis Suarez and Messi.
Arthur was rested for the clash with Valladolid but should return, while Nelson Semedo is expected to keep his spot at right-back despite Sergi Roberto's return to fitness.
Levante possible starting lineup: Aitor; Miramar, Postigo, Vezo, Clerc; Campana, Radoja, Melero, Bardhi; Morales, Mayoral
Barcelona possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Arthur, Busquets, De Jong; Griezmann, L Suarez, Messi
We say: Levante 0-2 Barcelona
Levante are certainly capable of making it a difficult afternoon for Barca, but Valverde's side are absolutely flying at the moment, and we expect the champions to collect another three points with a routine win.
Matt Law
