Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Madrid - La Liga
By Sean Walsh
Barcelona can take a huge step towards La Liga glory when they take on Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday.
La Blaugrana currently sit nine points clear of their biggest rivals in the standings, and with so little of the season remaining, extending that gap would all but seal national glory.
Xavi has a couple of injury issues to contend with, but will have most of his squad fit and ready for the visit of Los Blancos.
Here's the lineup he could name to take on Real Madrid.
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Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Madrid - La Liga
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen - Has already kept 19 clean sheets in 25 La Liga games this season. Seems a decent total.
RB: Jules Kounde - Ronald Araujo's return from suspension should see Sergi Roberto relegated to the bench and Kounde shifted to right-back.
CB: Ronald Araujo - Barcelona missed the Uruguayan's commanding presence in their narrow 1-0 win at Athletic Club last week, somehow surviving in the Basque country.
CB: Andreas Christensen - A lynchpin of the Barcelona backline. What a weird story.
LB: Alejandro Balde - Now firmly Xavi's preferred option at left-back after a stunning breakout season.
DM: Sergio Busquets - Speculation about the wily veteran's future rumbles on but he remains as important as ever to Barcelona and their midfield.
CM: Gavi - With Pedri injured, his teenage partner in crime is likely to start in midfield on Sunday.
CM: Frenkie de Jong - While always a good player, it wasn't until this season that the Dutchman truly started to show his worth to Barcelona.
RW: Raphinha - Injury to Ousmane Dembele means Raphinha's spot in the side is essentially set in stone.
CF: Robert Lewandowski - The Pole has registered one goal and two assists in his two matches against Real Madrid this season, missing their recent Copa del Rey win.
LW: Ferran Torres - Two goals in La Liga this season is a poor return for Torres and he has serious competition for a place from Ansu Fati.