Barcelona return to La Liga action on Monday night when they host Girona at Camp Nou.
Xavi’s Barça couldn’t hold onto their first leg lead in the Copa del Rey semi-finals in midweek, being thrashed 4-0 by Clasico rivals Real Madrid. Things are rosy in the league, however, with the Catalan giants coasting towards a first title since 2019.
Their upcoming opponents Girona have entertained neutrals with consistently frantic games this term but have never beaten Barça in their history.
Barcelona team news
Pedri isn’t expected back in Barça’s starting XI until later this month, while Monday’s game will come too soon for Ousmane Dembele. The pair both have hamstring injuries.
Andreas Christensen is expected to be out for another two weeks with a calf problem, while Frenkie de Jong has missed recent games against Elche and Real Madrid and won’t be fit here.
Barça were blown away by Real Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final and Xavi may make some changes to the XI that were beaten 4-0, conceding three goals in the second half.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3):
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Balde; Kessie, Busquets. Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati.
Girona team news
Only Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have managed more La Liga goals than Girona (42) and it’s their attack the visitors will be looking to for hope of a result at Camp Nou.
Valentin Castellanos should get the nod to start up front, though old-timer and Girona top scorer Cristhian Stuani will likely get a taste of the action from the bench at some point.
Loan forward Reinier was sent off against Espanyol despite not being on the pitch for telling the assistant referee he was “very, very bad” while warming up. He’s suspended here.
Girona predicted lineup (4-1-4-1):
Gazzaniga; Martinez, Bueno, Lopez, Hernandez; Romeu; Tsigankov, Martin, Garcia, Villa; Castellanos.
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