After a shock loss against fierce rivals Espanyol in the Supercopa de Catalunya this past midweek, Barcelona will look to clear any doubts of the team’s potential when they face Granada at Camp Nou. They are looking for an easy win hoping to hop over Real Madrid (provided results go their way) to the La Liga summit with just two points separating the two.
The increasing injury list is of the biggest concern for Luis Enrique as they are currently without 7 first team players owing to injuries and suspensions for the upcoming match. With many players quite uncertain for the game, it will need major makeshift for Enrique in the squad.
Barcelona have won 6 of their opening 9 games and are currently in the 3rd position with 19 points. They are only 2 points below league leaders, Real Madrid.
Team News
Barcelona- Jeremy Mathieu joined Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Aleix Vidal on the treatment table adding to the recent injury list. The centre-back will be out for three weeks after injuring his right foot on Tuesday. Sergi Roberto should occupy the right-back slot, while Lucas Digne comes back in on the left and Javier Mascherano is likely to partner Samuel Umtiti in the middle. Andres Iniesta is also injured for over a month.
Granada- Granada’s reserve goalkeeper Ivan Kelava is injured for Saturday’s clash and Granada will have to extra caution on that front. Apart from him, full-back Dimitri Foulquier is also sidelined.
Team lineup
Barcelona (4-3-3): Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Lucas Digne, Javier Mascherano, Samuel Umtiti; Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andre Gomes; Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez
Granada (4-2-3-1): Guillermo Ochoa; Tito, Gabriel Silva, Gaston Silva, Ruben Vezo; Javi Marquez, Rene Krhin; Andreas Pereira, Alberto Bueno, Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez; Ezequiel Ponce
Key Players
Barcelona- Of course, the trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez are the key players for Barcelona and with so many uncertainties at the back, the spearheading attack will be hugely responsible for bringing home three points from the game. If Arda Turan and Rafinha do manage to come back from their injuries, they could be highly effective for Barcelona against a struggling Granada side.
Granada- Granada have struggled for points this season and the lack of goals is one problem. Andreas Pereira will be a key player to watch for Granada as he has been brilliant for that side. The fans will hope that he adds more goals to his game from the wide areas. Apart from him, Foulquier and Gaston Silva have shown glimpses of brilliance.
Odds
Barcelona @ 1.045
Draw @17. 00
Granada @ 34. 00
