How should Barcelona line up against Eibar?

Barcelona head to Eibar on Saturday with the team having been held to draws in their last two La Liga outings.

Ernesto Valverde will want his side to return to winning ways but may also have one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Chelsea.

With that in mind, he may well opt to rest players, although we should see a pretty strong team on Saturday. Let’s have a look at how they might lineup

Defence

Barcelona will be boosted by the return of Samuel Umtiti from suspension and he will go straight back into the team. Gerard Pique could return too, however, if there are any signs he is still feeling the effects of a knee injury he may sit this one out, with Yerry Mina continuing at centre-back.

Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba should be the two full-backs, unless Valverde fancies throwing Nelson Semedo or Lucas Digne in, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.

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Midfield

Valverde has plenty of options although we could see a start for Philippe Coutinho as he is cup-tied for the midweek clash against Chelsea.

That could mean Andres Iniesta sitting this one out, although Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Paulinho could also get the nod. Andre Gomes and Aleix Vidal are also options although Denis Suarez appears to be completely out of favour at the moment.

There’s also the question of Ousmane Dembele. The youngster is fit again and featured against Getafe, but it was a nervy cameo that showed he has some way to go to find his best form.

To do that Dembele surely needs to play, but does Valverde throw him in from the start, or use him cautiously off the bench?

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Attack

There have been rumours this week that Valverde will continue to rest Lionel Messi on occasion until the end of this season, and it’s possible that this could be one of those games.

However, Barcelona have had a week off ahead of the game, and Messi scored four against Eibar at Camp Nou, making this a tough decision.

Valverde could opt to bring Paco Alcacer in, as he did against Getafe, but Barcelona could do with a good result to take to Stamford Bridge and a forward line of Messi and Luis Suarez looks the most likely option.

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Possible starting XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Paulinho, Coutinho; Messi, Suarez.

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