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Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 3
Sep 27, 2020 at 8pm UK
Camp Nou
Villarreal logo

Barcelona
4 - 0
Villarreal

Fati (15', 19'), Messi (35' pen.), Torres (45' og.)
FT(HT: 4-0)

Moreno (83')

How Barcelona could line up against Villarreal

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up in Sunday's La Liga clash with Villarreal.

Barcelona will be determined to get their 2020-21 La Liga campaign off to a winning start when they welcome Villarreal to Camp Nou on Sunday night.

The Catalan giants, who were runners-up to Real Madrid in La Liga last season, are now under the leadership of Ronald Koeman, with the Dutchman replacing Quique Setien at the helm.

Barca's involvement in the latter stages of the 2019-20 Champions League means that they are late starters in the league this term, but Villarreal have also played twice in Spain's top flight, picking up four points.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Koeman's side could line up at Camp Nou.


POSS BAR XI vs. VIL

Out: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (knee), Martin Braithwaite (thigh)
Doubtful: Samuel Umtiti (knee)

> Click here for Barcelona's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Barca will be without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen until at least the end of October with a knee problem, meaning that the club's number two goalkeeper Neto is set to start between the sticks.

Martin Braithwaite is also out with a thigh problem that he picked up in a practice match after the 1-0 win over Elche in the Joan Gamper Trophy last weekend, while Samuel Umtiti, who continues to be linked with a move away from the club, is unlikely to be involved due to a long-standing knee issue.

A new-look attack could include both Ansu Fati and Philippe Coutinho, with the former signing a new long-term deal at Camp Nou and the latter expected to be given the chance to make his mark under Koeman, having enjoyed a successful loan spell at Bayern Munich last term.

Luis Suarez's exit opens the door for Antoine Griezmann to start through the middle, with Lionel Messi expected to feature in a slightly withdrawn role. At one stage, Messi appeared certain to be leaving the Catalan giants, but the Argentine will spend at least one more season at Camp Nou.

Miralem Pjanic arrived at the club earlier this summer from Juventus, but a two-man midfield could include Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong, while Nelson Semedo's exit means that Sergio Roberto will start at right-back.

Ousmane Dembele has been strongly linked with a move away this summer, but the France international now looks certain to remain at the club and should be on the bench for Sunday's contest.

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Antoine Griezmann pictured on June 23, 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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