Barcelona predicted lineup vs Almeria - La Liga
- Barcelona host Almeria on Wednesday in final game of 2023
- Xavi's squad has thinned ahead of Christmas
- Unlikely to be many changes from Saturday's team which drew at Valencia
Barcelona can ill-afford for their winless run in all competitions to stretch to four games as they round off 2023 at home to Almeria on Wednesday.
While Xavi oversaw the club's progression into the Champions League round of 16 for the first time under his stewardship, Barca's title defence has so far been meek. They're currently six points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid after drawing at Valencia on Saturday.
They now have the chance to end the year on a positive note as they host an Almeria side winless in La Liga this term and currently bottom of the pile.
Xavi isn't expected to welcome back any injured stars in midweek, and here's how he could set his Barcelona side up.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Almeria (4-3-3)
GK: Inaki Pena - Pena has shelled plenty of goals in recent outings, but he'll remain between the sticks while Marc-Andre ter Stegen recovers from a back injury.
RB: Joao Cancelo - The former Man City defender has endured a quiet few weeks, but he remains a critical figure in Barca's possession play.
CB: Ronald Araujo - The dominant Uruguayan is the best defender on the club's books and should start any game he's fit for.
CB: Andreas Christensen - Jules Kounde's recent slide should see the more reliable Christensen re-enter the fold on Wednesday.
LB: Alejandro Balde - The young full-back will continue down the left with Xavi boasting little to no alternatives with Marcos Alonso out.
CM: Frenkie de Jong - The fulcrum in Barcelona's midfield, De Jong is such a pivotal cog in Xavi's system and he'll be tasked with controlling proceedings from a deeper position in midweek.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan - Pep Guardiola must be lamenting Gundogan's decision to take on a new challenge in Catalonia. The German has performed well for Barca so far, even if he's yet to nail down a defined role.
CM: Pedri - Fingers crossed the diminutive Spaniard remains injury-free. Pedri's always a joy to watch.
RW: Raphinha - The Brazilian has performed well in recent weeks and has kept teenage sensation Lamine Yamal out of the side. Despite playing a full 90 on Saturday, Raphinha should keep his place down the right.
ST: Robert Lewandowski - Lewandowski is underperforming his xG at the second-worst rate of his career in La Liga this term. The Pole has scored eight in 15 league games and just one in his last four. However, he could cash in some wasted xG on Wednesday against the league's worst defence.
LW: Ferran Torres - Joao Felix may have scored the opener on Saturday, but that shouldn't give him automatic entry into Wednesday's lineup. Ferran deserves more minutes.
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