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FC Barcelona will hope to shut down the hole to the highest of the La Liga desk after they lock horns with Valencia later tonight at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
The Blaugrana have gone and not using a win in La Liga in 4 video games – with their final victory coming towards Mallorca in early December.
Since then, Hansi Flick’s facet have misplaced to Leganes and Atletico Madrid whereas being held to attracts by Actual Betis and most lately, Getafe.
As such, Barcelona are already ten factors behind leaders Actual Madrid and 6 beneath second-placed Atletico Madrid, which they’ll scale back with a win tonight.
Following the hard-fought win towards Benfica earlier within the week, Flick hinted that there could possibly be rotations within the lineup tonight. And right here’s how Barcelona might take the sphere towards Carlos Corberan’s Valencia in Montjuic.
Defence
After Wojciech Szczesny began within the Champions League conflict vs Benfica, it’s anticipated that Flick will revert to Inaki Pena in objective for Barcelona’s La Liga fixture towards Valencia.
There are unlikely to be any main tweaks in defence, nonetheless, with the centre-back pairing of Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi anticipated to stay intact whereas Jules Kounde continues to be the plain decide at right-back.
Alejandro Balde, nonetheless, could also be given a break with Gerard Martin, quickly after signing his contract renewal this week, in line to begin because the left-back.
Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia can be choices on the bench if Flick opts to change issues later within the recreation.
Midfield
Fermin might begin whereas Gavi, Pedri could possibly be rested. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
As for the midfield division, the Barcelona supervisor appeared to trace that there could also be a relaxation to ensure that in-form famous person Pedri.
In that case, Frenkie de Jong, who has been slowly making an impression in his appearances off the bench, could possibly be in line for a uncommon begin.
The Dutchman is anticipated to be paired up with breakthrough La Masia expertise Marc Casado, who has turn out to be a pivotal a part of the crew this season.
Dani Olmo is out of tonight’s recreation with damage once more whereas Gavi could possibly be given a break after having featured usually because the flip of the yr.
It might pave the way in which for Fermin Lopez to get a uncommon begin within the attacking midfield function. The La Masia graduate has discovered minutes exhausting to return by this season and can hope to benefit from his alternative.
Assault
Whereas there could also be just a few rotations throughout the pitch, Flick is unlikely to tinker with the attacking trident of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha, given the significance of successful this match.
Lewandowski’s performances of late have been a little bit of a hit-and-miss and the veteran striker should pull up his socks and step up tonight towards Valencia.
The Barcelona supervisor can flip to the likes of Ferran Torres, Pau Victor, Pablo Torre, and probably Ansu Fati if he wants to alter issues up within the remaining third of the pitch.
