Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Madrid - Copa del Rey
Comfort at the top of La Liga means victory in the Copa del Rey will likely serve as a mere bonus for Barcelona this season.
Nevertheless, the Catalans will be keen to continue their recent good form over their El Clasico rivals and advance into the final.
Xavi's side will take a 1-0 advantage into the second leg of their semi-final tie against Real Madrid on Wednesday night. Here's the starting XI the Barcelona boss could pick for the game.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-3-3)
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen - The German has re-emerged as one of Europe's premier goalkeepers and his place in the starting XI is not in doubt. He's been a major factor in Barcelona's stout defensive record this season.
RB: Ronald Araujo - The centre-back by trade has developed a habit of shunning Vinicius Junior when they meet in the Clasico. Xavi will be expected to start the superb Uruguayan defender in a specialist right-back function once again.
CB: Jules Kounde - Kounde typically lines up at right-back, but Araujo's specialist role means the Frenchman will function at the heart of Barcelona's defence on Wednesday.
CB: Marcos Alonso - The Spaniard has featured more as a centre-back than a left-back this season, and Andreas Christensen's absence means Alonso is poised to start alongside Kounde. The former Chelsea defender has endured a pretty mixed spell in Catalonia thus far, but he was excellent in the first leg as Barça shut out Los Blancos.
LB: Alejandro Balde - Jordi Alba's successor is well on his way to becoming one of the most exciting left-back's in the game. The Spanish international is blossoming under Xavi's tutelage.
DM: Sergio Busquets - Eric Garcia was used in midfield against Elche, but there's not a chance Busquets doesn't return to the fold for this one. No player has made more Clasico appearances than the classy Spaniard (47).
CM: Sergi Roberto - Pedri's prolonged absence and Frenkie de Jong's injury means a spot is up for grabs in Barcelona's midfield. Either recent Clasico match-winner Franck Kessie or Roberto will take it. Logic says Xavi opts for the latter's reliability.
CM: Gavi - A dark cloud is hanging over Gavi's future at Barcelona, but the Spanish prodigy is continuing to perform. He was excellent in the 4-0 win against Elche and will start on Wednesday, there's no doubt about that.
RW: Raphinha - The Brazilian is starting to come into his own after a rather indifferent first half to the season. Raphinha was suspended for the weekend's game so he'll be fresh for Real's visit.
ST: Robert Lewandowski - Barcelona's leading man missed the first leg due to a hamstring injury and is yet to score in a Clasico. It'll be a battle of two of Europe's leading frontmen on Wednesday night.
LW: Ansu Fati - It's been a pretty frustrating season for the winger who initially promised so much. Fati has made more substitute appearances (15) than starts (ten) in La Liga this season, but Xavi could give him a massive chance to shine in the big game after he impressed at the weekend.