Before engaging in the Champions League encounter with Juventus, Barcelona will try to continue their winning run in the La Liga when they face Malaga in the next match. The Catalans are currently chasing the La Liga title to make it three years in a row but are in the second position in the La Liga table.
Despite a few upsets, Luis Enrique’s side have continued their quest for the title but any further slip-ups will hand their arch rivals, Real Madrid, an added advantage who also have a game in their hand.
Malaga’s improved form could be a reason to worry for Enrique. They registered their second win of this campaign as they got their much-needed victory over Sporting Gijon. The win extended their gap with the relegation zone by a healthy eight points and Malaga will come into the game oozing confidence.
In the last ten matches, Malaga have managed to get positive results on four occasions, the last being the reverse fixture of this match when a determined Malaga side held the Catalans to a goalless draw at the Camp Nou. Barcelona’s attacking trio MSN has been in blistering form and it would be a challenge for the Malaga defence to stop them from scoring.
Team News And Predicted Lineups
Barcelona
Rafinha needs to go under the knife after he injured his knee and he will miss the rest of the campaign. Ivan Rakitic and Gerard Pique are carrying suspensions and Enrique has a job to do while it comes to choose his starting lineup. Javier Mascherano is expected to get the nod and he will partner Samuel Umtiti in the Barcelona defence. Enrique won’t take a gamble by risking Andres Iniesta and therefore we might see the pairing of Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez in the midfield.
Ter Stegen; Roberto, Mascherano, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Gomes, Denis; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Malaga
The Spanish side has a number of injury concerns. Luis Munoz is back in training while Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Miguel Torres continues to recover.
Kameni; Rosales, Hernandez, Llorente, Carlos; Castro, Camacho, Fornais, Juanpi; Sandro, Santos
Key Players
Barcelona
Lionel Messi
The talented Argentine will have the onus to get past the challenge of Malaga. Messi has been the backbone of this Barcelona team and Luis Enrique would be hoping to see another top class performance from this player.
Malaga
Sandro Ramirez
A product of the La Masia academy, Sandro would be hoping to do some damage to the Catalan defence.
