How will Barca line up against Real Mallorca?

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The champions are back in La Liga action

Barcelona return to La Liga action at the weekend after a rare midweek without a game and fresh from their late win over Atletico Madrid last time out.

Lionel Messi will show off his sixth Ballon d’Or trophy before the match, and Barca will be expected to comfortably see off a Mallorca side who are just a point off the drop zone.

Let’s have a look at how Barca might line up at the Camp Nou.

Defence

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Barcelona continue to be without injured full-backs Nelson Semedo and Jordi Alba, meaning Sergi Roberto and Junior Firpo should continue in the wide positions.

In central defence Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti are all fit and available, although one will have to make do with a place on the bench.

Pique was taken off against Atletico with a knee problem, but Valverde played down the injury after the game and he has trained normally this week.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen will start in goal but might get a rest next time out against Inter Milan given Barca are already through as group winners.

Midfield

Ernesto Valverde has opted to bring Ivan Rakitic in from the cold and start him in Barca’s last two games, and it will be interesting to see if he continues against Real Mallorca or returns to the bench.

Sergio Busquets missed the win over Atletico due to suspension but is available again and should go straight back into the starting XI.

Arthur and Frenkie de Jong are also likely to feature, while Arturo Vidal will be pushing for more game time as usual.

Attack

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Barcelona should start with Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann in attack given Ousmane Dembele is out for a couple of months.

Ansu Fati could get on at some point to cap a good week for the youngster after he signed a new and improved deal on Wednesday.

Possible XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Junior; Arthur, Busquets, De Jong; Messi, Suarez, Griezmann.

How do you think Barcelona should line up against Real Mallorca? Let us know your line-ups, predictions and thoughts in the comments below!

Source: barcablaugranes.com