Sergino Dest and Pedri are set to return, but Ousmane Dembele will be on the bench when Barcelona take on Valencia on Sunday.
Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways and get their La Liga title push back on track when they lock horns with Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday night. Heading into the game, Ronald Koeman does not have any fresh injury woes to deal with.
That means the likes of Ansu Fati, Philippe Coutinho and Martin Braithwaite continue to be on the sidelines and miss out on the travelling squad. Otherwise, Koeman has a full-strength squad at his disposal, with plenty of resources available to him across the departments.
Valencia vs Barcelona Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Barcelona should once again be set up in a 3-5-2 formation against Valencia, as has been the norm in recent game. In goal, there is no looking past Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but a few changes could be in order in front of the Barcelona no. 1. Koeman was indeed quizzed about rotation and a certain Samuel Umtiti during his pre-match press conference.
“Umtiti played because of a technical decision. Umtiti is training well. If we had beaten Granada, nobody would ask about the rotations. I accept it, but we all know that it’s true.”
Umtiti, who has recently been linked with a move to Manchester United, is likely to drop out of the starting lineup, with compatriot Clement Lenglet taking his place on the left side of the back three. Gerard Pique and Oscar Mingueza, though, should hold on to their spots, meaning Ronald Araujo misses out again.
Up ahead in midfield, Pedri is likely to be recalled after being given a bit of a breather last time out against Granada. Ilaix Moriba will make way for the Spanish international, who will have Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong for company in the middle of the park.
The third and final change should come in the right wing-back slot, where Sergino Dest is certain to replace Sergi Roberto following the Spanish international’s disastrous performance earlier this week against Granada. Jordi Alba is an automatic pick on the left flank while in attack, the strike partnership will once again comprise of the in-form duo of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, meaning Ousmane Dembele misses out.
Barcelona Predicted XI: ter Stegen; Mingueza, Pique, Lenglet; Dest, de Jong, Busquets, Pedri, Alba; Messi, Griezmann
