After their shock 2-1 loss against newly-promoted Alaves on last Saturday, Barcelona face another newly-promoted side this weekend. The Blaugrana will travel to Butarque on Saturday to face newly promoted side Leganes who have had a decent start to their Premier League campaign. The visitors started their campaign in a nice manner with an inspiring 1-0 win against Celta Vigo on the opening day away from home. Then they held Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 draw at Vicente Calderon but lost 2-1 Sporting Gijon last week.
Barcelona were upset by newly-promoted Alaves last week as the Segunda Division winners from last season won the game 2-1 at Camp Nou. Luis Enrique did not play his best possible starting XI and had to pay for his complacency. However, the Catalan giants will be bustling with confidence after their massive 7-0 win against Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Team news
Leganes boss Asier Garitano has a clean bill of health.
Luis Enrique has a fully fit squad to choose from and will face a selection dilemma. With a clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, we might see some big changes from Lucho.
Tactical setups and Predicted Lineups
Leganes
Leganes are likely to line up in a defensive 3-5-2 formation. Serantes will start under the bar behind the back three of Insúa, Mantovani and Rico. Diaz and Marin will start as the two wing-backs. Timor, Alberto and Lopez will be the midfield trio behind Gabriel and Guerrero operating as the two strikers.
Starting XI: Serantes; Insúa, Mantovani, Rico; Días, Timor, Alberto, López, Marín; Gabriel, Guerrero
Barcelona
Barcelona will, as usual, line up in their favoured 4-3-3 formation. Ter Stegen will start under the bar behind the back four of Roberto, Pique, Umtiti and Alba. We expect Busquets to start at the base of midfield with Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez operating as the two box to box midfielders resting both Iniesta and Rakitic. The famed trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar will start up front for the Blaugrana.
Starting XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Gomes, Denis; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Key players
Leganes
Miguel Ángel Guerrero- Barcelona, as always, will play their natural attacking game but they have a big vulnerability i.e. they are often caught on the break. That is why striker Miguel Ángel Guerrero will be a key player for the hosts.
Barcelona
Andre Gomes- The Portuguese midfielder will be a key player to watch out for on Saturday. He had a brilliant game against Celtic in the midweek and will be looking for a similar display this time around.
Betting odds
Leganes win: 18/1
Draw: 11/2
Barcelona win: 2/11
