Barcelona legend Xavi will look to kick off his tenure as manager with a victory on Saturday, when the Blaugrana welcome local rivals Espanyol to the Camp Nou.
The former midfielder takes over following the sacking of Ronald Koeman, with the Catalan giants sat ninth in the La Liga table, level on points with their visitors, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.
BARCELONA vs. ESPANYOL
© Reuters
BARCELONA
Out: Sergio Aguero (health), Martin Braithwaite (knee), Ousmane Dembele (hamstring), Ansu Fati (hamstring), Nico Gonzalez (muscle), Dani Alves (ineligible)
Doubtful: Sergino Dest (back), Pedri (muscle), Gerard Pique (calf)
Sports Mole's predicted XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Araujo, Garcia, Alba; Gavi, Busquets, F De Jong; Depay, L De Jong, Coutinho
ESPANYOL
Out: Keidi Bare (muscle)
Doubtful: Oscar Gil (muscle)
Sports Mole's predicted XI: Lopez; Vidal, Gomez, Cabrera, Pedrosa; Morlanes, Darder; Melamed, Melendo, Embarba; De Tomas
Sam Varley
