Check out the team news and predicted line-ups as FC Barcelona begin their LaLiga campaign at home to Villarreal.
(Mr Green odds above – Barcelona win/Draw/Villarreal win)
FC Barcelona hope to begin their 2020/21 LaLiga campaign on a positive note after a summer of mayhem, with Villarreal to be their first opponents at Camp Nou on Sunday evening.
The 26-time Spanish champions have been in the headlines all summer for the wrong reasons. From losing their league title, that infamous thrashing against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Lionel Messi’s transfer request, and Luis Suarez’s shock departure, it’s been anything but a positive couple of months.
But now the football is back, and all eyes will be on Ronald Koeman as he prepares for his debut as manager. The Dutchman, who replaced the ousted Quique Setien last month, has already found himself embroiled in the aftermath of the board’s actions. It’s not the start he hoped for his revolution.
Coming up in Koeman’s competitive debut will be a Villarreal side led by former Arsenal and Sevilla manager Unai Emery.
The Yellow Submarine, who finished fifth in LaLiga last season, have already played twice against Huesca (1-1) and Eibar (2-1) to claim four points out of six. It’s not been a perfect start for Emery, but he’s made some decent additions to his squad and is ready for the Camp Nou test.
Predicted XI: Barcelona
Several players have left Catalonia this summer in Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Arthur Melo, Arturo Vidal, and Nelson Semedo. Although Koeman will likely stick to a line-up that fans are accustomed to for his debut.
The biggest change is Neto starting in goal in place of the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Samuel Umtiti and Martin Braithwaite are also out with injuries.
Koeman may use a 4-2-3-1 formation with a familiar back-four in Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, and Jordi Alba. Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong may take on deep midfield roles.
Philippe Coutinho, meanwhile, is expected to start after being welcomed back to the fold this summer. While Ansu Fati will likely pip Ousmane Dembele for a spot in the line-up alongside Lionel Messi.
Antoine Griezmann, on the other hand, is expected to take on a lone forward role in place of the departed Suarez.
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once announced)
Predicted XI: Villarreal
Alberto Moreno, Ramiro Guerra and Ruben Pena are sidelined with injuries for the trip to Camp Nou. Raul Albiol, meanwhile, is nursing a broken nose and could miss out.
Although Emery is expected to continue with his 4-4-2 formation, with Sergio Asenjo starting in goal. Pau Torres will partner Albiol, who is expected to wear a mask if he plays to protect his broken nose. While summer signing Pervis Estupinan and Mario Gaspar will cover the full-back roles.
Former Valencia duo Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin will operate from the center of the park in Catalonia. Samu Chukwueze and Moi Gomez, on the other hand, will play down the flanks. However, it appears Takefusa Kubo is set to miss out.
Gerard Moreno and Paco Alcacer complete Emery’s expected frontline.
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once announced)
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