Barcelona will clash heads with Linares Deportivo at the Estadio Municipal de Linarejos on Wednesday night as they look to pick up a win in the Copa del Rey. The Catalan giants managed to secure a narrow 1-0 win over RCD Mallorca last weekend which will keep them in high spirits ahead of this cup game.
Xavi will stick with his favoured 4-3-3 formation and could make a lot of changes to his starting XI for this clash. Neto, Jordi Alba and Dani Alves are expected to play from the start as the Barca boss looks to freshen up his backline.
4-3-3 Barcelona Predicted Lineup To Face Linares Deportivo
Defence
Neto will feature in between the sticks for the Catalan outfit as Xavi looks to give Marc-André ter Stegen a rest in midweek. Gerard Pique will operate alongside Eric Garica at the centre of the Barca backline as they focus on securing a clean sheet away from home.
Dani Alves and Jordi Alba have returned to training after testing negative for Covid-19. Hence, we can expect Alves to play at right-back while Alba fills in on the other flank as the left-back.
Oscar Mingueza and Ronald Araujo will offer cover for the defensive positions on the Barca bench.
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Midfield
Riqui Puig, Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong will make up the Barcelona midfield. Their main job would be to dominate possession at the centre of the park and create some good chances for their teammates up top.
Álvaro Sanz Catalán will be available for selection on the bench and might come on to make an impact in the second 45 minutes if needed.
Attack
Nico Gonzalez could get a chance to impress on the left-wing while Ferran Jutgla hopes to give a good account of himself from the right. Luuk de Jong is expected to spearhead Xavi’s attack in the final third following a goal-scoring display from him versus Mallorca last weekend.
Ilias Akhomach could be named on the bench as he waits for his chance to catch the eye in the final third as a late-game substitute if required.
