Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Madrid - Supercopa de Espana
- Barca meet great rivals Real Madrid in Supercopa de Espana final on Sunday
- Pedri expected to come into midfield while Lamine Yamal and Joao Felix could replace wingers who faced Osasuna
- Inigo Martinez and Marcos Alonso trying to recover in time
By Euan Burns
Barcelona are one game away from claiming their first trophy of the season but will need to beat rivals Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia if they are to lift the Supercopa de Espana on Sunday.
Xavi's side made it into the final by beating Osasuna 2-0, but it was another lacklustre performance that didn't fill fans with confidence ahead of this Clasico. That being said, Madrid made it through with a chaotic 5-3 win against Atletico Madrid which showed they have weaknesses that can be exploited.
The major negative from that semi-final was an injury for Brazilian winger Raphinha, who suffered a hamstring blow and won't be available.
Here is the starting lineup Xavi is likely to pick when Barca face Madrid.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-3-3)
GK: Inaki Pena - Pena has grasped the opportunity presented to him by Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury, but this is his biggest test so far.
RB: Jules Kounde - The Frenchman started the semi-final at right-back and with Joao Cancelo not expected to return, it could be more of the same for Kounde.
CB: Ronald Araujo - Has been playing week in, week out for Barca as a very important player but the Uruguay international is constantly being linked with a move to another big European side and his future may lie away from Catalonia.
CB: Andreas Christensen - Assuming Martinez does not recover in time to start, Christensen is guaranteed to keep his place for the final.
LB: Alejandro Balde - Completing the same back four that starts most games for Barca, the attacking Balde will try to hurt Madrid from the left as best he can.
CM: Pedri - Sergi Roberto played here last time out but given Pedri came off the bench in that game, it's assumed Pedri will be fit enough to start against Madrid in a big boost for Xavi.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan - The German picked up the assist for Barca's first goal against Osasuna with a tidy bit of play but will need to be even more creative on Sunday.
CM: Frenkie de Jong - Has only picked up three major trophies with Barca since leaving Ajax in 2019, with this tournament being one in 2022/23.
RW: Lamine Yamal - It was Yamal who replaced the injured Raphinha against Osasuna. He secured the win with a calm finish in stoppage time, so he should be rewarded with a start.
ST: Robert Lewandowski - Having missed a chance earlier in the game, Lewandowski was relieved to open the scoring last time out. Will need to be sharp against Madrid.
LW: Joao Felix - Ferran Torres started against Osasuna but did not impress, while Joao Felix came on and created the goal for Yamal. Expect the Portuguese star to take Torres' place.
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