Predicted Barcelona lineup against Sevilla

Xavi has not pulled any punches while selecting his starting XIs this season. He’s tried to experiment as much as he can, trying to juice the most out of the limited Barcelona squad at his disposal.

In the last two games, for example, the Spaniard went with Johann Cruyff-style midfield diamond, using Frenkie de Jong and Gavi as the spearhead, respectively. He’s also deployed Jordi Alba as central midfielder-cum-fullback to protect the half-spaces.

As Barcelona make the trip to Sevilla for gameweek 19 of La Liga, fans hope that one of his experiments have worked just enough. Three points at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan could go a long way into determining where the Blaugranas end up in the table.

We don’t expect a lot of changes in the lineup for the game, but here is our best prediction for the same.

Defence

After being lauded as the team’s saviour a few years ago, Marc-Andre ter Stegen is not largely regarded as one of the more problematic pieces. The German shot-stopper is far from the best form of his life, but it seems to go unpunished every single time. Thus, expect him to start with the gloves again.

Ronald Araujo has been on the end of several experiments this season, being deployed in multiple roles, including right-back, right centre-back, left centre-back, and more. Tomorrow, we expect him to start on the right of the back-three.

While Eric Garcia put in a decent shift against Elche, Gerard Pique‘s return from suspension means it’s back to the bench for him. Pique has been given more than a week’s rest to prepare for this game, no excuses will be entertained.

Clement Lenglet rounds off our defence. He is no longer the usual confident self he used to be, but his passing is still an incredible asset for those in garnet and blue.

Midfield

Jordi Alba’s experience is crucial to the team, but there are several reasons to bench him for the Seville outing. Not only has he been on the end of defensive mistakes far too often this season, but the Spaniard has also had injury trouble all season long.

Consequently, we expect Nico to come into the lineup, playing in central midfield. The teenager has unparalleled grit, and does not shy away from a physical battle.

Frenkie de Jong has been playing with an injury, according to Xavi. He was substituted in the second half and but will start the game tomorrow. With the burden of the Camp Nou on his back, will FdJ deliver?

De Jong and Nico will flank none other than captain Sergio Busquets. The World Cup winner has had a somewhat inconsistent season, but an impressive outing tomorrow is bound to silence the critics for a while.

Gavi is the last name in the diamond midfield, and inarguably the headliner. Starting as the attacking midfielder against Elche, the youngster finished the game with a goal and assist to his name. He’s a yellow away from suspension, and there’s no better time to pick it up than tomorrow.

Attack

With Memphis Depay and Ansu Fati still sidelined, Ez Abde has been given the keys to Barcelona’s frontline. He has put in two back-to-back brilliant performances for the garnet and blue and goes in to battle against one of the leagues’ best tomorrow — Jesus Navas.

Ousmane Dembele had a first half to remember on the weekend. His record against Sevilla speaks for itself. A headliner coming tomorrow?

Luuk de Jong’s chances to feature for the Catalan giants keep diminishing. The Camp Nou faithful expected him to start against Elche on the weekend, but the Dutchman was benched by Ferran Jutgla.

With a goal in consecutive games, including his first official start, the former-Espanyol forward has the chance to etch his name in the history of his legendary clash.

Abde · Jutgla · Dembele
Gavi
de Jong · Busquets · Nico
Lenglet · Pique · Araujo
ter Stegen

Substitutes

Riqui Puig has seen regular minutes off the bench for Xavi, and there’s no reason to expect otherwise tomorrow. The 22-year-old is excellent at pacing up the game’s tempo, which will be critical against Julien Lopetegui’s men.

Philippe Coutinho did not see the green of the grass against Elche, but it might not be the worst idea to use him as the no. 10 in this formation.

With no wingers on the bench, Jordi Alba and/or Alejandro Balde could be vital off the bench.