Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano meet in La Liga on Sunday at the Spotify Camp Nou in matchday 29, in what will be their final game before the last international break of the season.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, already sitting at the top of the La Liga table, are aiming to keep their excellent run going after a commanding 7-2 Champions League victory over Newcastle United.
Barcelona team news
Joan Garcia, who was taken off against Newcastle with a late injury concern, has now shaken off that scare and is understood to be available again after encouraging test results.
Eric Garcia also had to come off early in that same match with a hamstring problem and is still a doubt for this weekend, but there is optimism he could be involved around matchday after being spotted back in training.
Gavi is now fully recovered from his long-term injury, yet he is still expected to start on the bench as his minutes continue to be managed carefully.
Barcelona remain without several other players: Alejandro Balde (hamstring, likely mid-April return), Andreas Christensen (cruciate ligament issue), Jules Koundé and Frenkie de Jong (both hamstring injuries, targeting early April comebacks), Jofre Torrents (calf) and Toni Fernandez (ankle).
Any tactical tweaks will largely depend on whether Joan Garcia and Eric García are cleared to start; if Eric García does not make it, Gerard Martín or Ronald Araújo could be asked to operate in the middle of the defence.
Flick should still be able to field a very strong front line, with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski expected to spearhead the attack as Barca chase a fifth consecutive league win and look to preserve their four-point cushion at the summit.
Barcelona predicted lineup
Possible Barcelona starting XI: J Garcia; Cancelo, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Lewandowski
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 1pm BST on Sunday, 22nd March.
How to watch Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano?
Supporters in the UK can watch the match live on Premier Sports 1.
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