Barcelona will take on Leganes on Wednesday evening hoping to return to winning ways following their 2-2 draw versus Girona last weekend. The Catalans are still top of the La Liga standings but only on goal difference with their rivals, Real Madrid breathing down their necks. Anything other than a victory against Leganes would be a massive disappointment for Barca, so we can expect Ernesto Valverde to name a strong team for this clash.
There are no fresh injury concerns for the Catalans to deal with ahead of this match. However, the Barca boss would be without the services of Clement Lenglet after the defender was sent off in the first half against Girona on Sunday.
4-3-3 Barcelona Predicted Lineup To Face Leganes
Defence
Marc Andre ter Stegen will take his place in goal for Barca while Jasper Cillessen would have to play back up to him once again in Valverde’s bench.
The Catalans could opt to start with their strongest central defensive pairing of Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti so that they can stop Leganes from scoring on Wednesday evening. Sergi Roberto could return to the side and play as the right-back while Jordi Alba looks to use his quickness down the left side of the Barca defence.
Midfield
Barcelona is expected to start with the midfield trio of Phillipe Coutinho, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic after Valverde made some changes at the weekend which backfired versus Girona.
The trio has enjoyed a good run of form at the middle of the park and would be responsible for dictating play and retaining possession for the away team at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. It’s been too long since one of the Barca midfielders got their names on the scoresheet and this match against Leganes would serve as an ideal opportunity for one of them to do so.
Attack
Barcelona’s majestic front three of Ousmane Dembele, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi picks themselves and would be expected to get the goals which would make the difference on Wednesday. All three forwards are in a rich vein of form despite Suarez struggling to register a goal in recent matches. However, on the other hand, Messi is in red-hot form after scoring a hattrick versus PSV Eindhoven last week which was followed by another fantastic display against Girona on Sunday.
Malcom might start on the Catalans bench and come on during the contest if required.
