Barcelona face a tough challenge today as they travel to Estadio De La Ceramica to face Villarreal in La Liga.
Xavi’s side will be looking for all three points to keep pace with league leaders Real Madrid, and having already dropped points against Getafe on the opening weekend, the pressure is on for the Blaugrana.
They will come up against Quique Setien, who briefly managed Barcelona in 2020, and a Villarreal side fresh from their 1-0 victory away at Mallorca last weekend.
Barcelona have a number of injury problems to contend with, as defender Ronald Araujo and midfielder Pedri are both set to miss out.
This could mean that Sergi Roberto is in line for a surprise start at right-back. With a deal for Joao Cancelo not yet finalised, he could fill in at full-back, with Jules Kounde partnering Andreas Christensen in the middle.
Xavi will likely return to a back four and has a number of options to replace Pedri following his injury.
How could Barcelona line up against Villarreal?
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen will continue in goal, and it seems he will have a different defence in front of him as Roberto may return to the lineup.
In midfield, Xavi will likely use the same midfield trio as previously seen in pre-season and against Getafe, with Oriol Romeu, Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong lining up together. However, it remains to be seen whether he will choose to use wingers, or inverted midfield options to directly replace Pedri.
Gavi could come in as an inverted left-winger, and it would be a surprise if he does not start, meaning there will be just one spot left between Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Abde Ezzalzouli, Lamine Yamal and Ansu Fati on the right wing.
Whilst Yamal has impressed, going to face a tough team like Villarreal may require more experience, and following his goal against Cadiz, Ferran Torres may have the strongest case to start.
Robert Lewandowski is yet to open his account this season, and he will be hoping to get on the scoresheet as he aims to break his goal drought.
Barcelona predicted XI vs Villarreal: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Romeu, De Jong, Gundogan; Ferran Torres, Lewandowski, Gavi