How will Barcelona line up against Alavés?

After dominating Young Boys to pick up their first three points of the European season in midweek, Barcelona now look to return to winning ways in La Liga when they travel to the Basque Country to face Alavés this weekend.

Barça suffered their first defeat of the campaign away to Osasuna last weekend but are still three points clear at the top of the table, and now look for their eighth win in the opening nine games to remain leaders going into the second international break of the season.

Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle.

Defense

After making heavy rotations in last week’s loss to Osasuna, Flick won’t have to worry about resting many of his stars for this one having had four full days to recover after an easy game against Young Boys and with two off weeks coming up with the international window.

The coach will likely pick his strongest side again, although there is some doubt regarding Iñigo Martínez’s status after the defender asked to come off late on Tuesday. There are no indications he’s actually injured, however, so we expect the veteran to be in the lineup alongside Pau Cubarsí at the heart of the back four with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde at full-back.

Midfield

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Eric García will be back in the squad after not playing against Young Boys due to suspension, and now the question is whether or not the defender returns to the starting lineup as a pivot. He’s thrived in that position in recent games, and has usually been picked to start in away matches so we expect that to happen again.

His two midfield partners will likely be Marc Casadó and Pedri, who continue to look great together whether as a double pivot — as they were against Young Boys — or ahead of Eric in a slightly more defensive setup. Frenkie de Jong is now back but isn’t ready to start yet, but we’ll likely see the Dutchman back in the XI after the international break.

Attack

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Raphinha was chosen as Man of the Match against Young Boys and looked awesome as a free-roaming number 10, though he has also played brilliantly as a left winger under Flick. The Brazilian continues to shine wherever he starts, and we think he’ll be back in the front three for this one with Eric’s return to the lineup.

Lamine Yamal didn’t score in midweek but had another strong performance, and Robert Lewandowski continues to enjoy a career revival under his old coach. This forward trio looks unstoppable together, and will need to be at their best to create and finish enough chances to get the win on the road.

Possible XI: Peña; Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde; Casadó, Eric, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha (4-3-3)

How do you think Barcelona should line up against Alavés? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!