Barcelona will lock horns with Huesca at the Estadio El Alcoraz on Sunday night looking to kick off the new year with a positive result on the road. The Catalan outfit were held to a 1-1 draw versus Eibar in midweek, so they will be eager to produce a much-improved showing this weekend.
Ronald Koeman is expected to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation and will be inclined to make a few tweaks to his first XI for this clash against Michel’s men. Both Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele could get a start after being rested earlier this week.
4-2-3-1 Barcelona Predicted Lineup To Face Huesca
Defence
Marc-André ter Stegen will lineup in goal for Barca after failing to secure a clean sheet in his last league outing. Clement Lenglet will once again partner Ronald Araújo at the heart of the Catalans defence as they hope to keep things tidy at the back throughout the 90 minutes.
Sergiño Dest will be a nailed-on starter at right-back while Jordi Alba fills in on the other flank as the left-back. Koeman will give both of them the license to get forward and create some inviting chances for the front players inside the opponent’s penalty box.
Both Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto remain sidelined because of injury, but Oscar Mingueza should be fit for a place on the bench.
Midfield
Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong will anchor the Barca midfield as they focus on retaining possession well at the centre of the park while also trying to provide some added protection for their teammates in defence. The gifted trio of Ousmane Dembele, Pedri and Martin Braithwaite will play just ahead of them as part of Koeman’s attack.
Dembele managed to get his name on the scoresheet against Eibar, which is why he might get a start ahead of Antoine Griezmann, who would have to settle for a spot on the bench. The French playmaker could get a chance to make an impact in the second half if required.
Attack
Lionel Messi will once again lead the charge for the Catalan giants up top. The Argentine maestro will have to find a way to carry most of his team’s goal-scoring workload in the final third.
