Barcelona v Sevilla - Preview and possible lineups
We take a look ahead to Saturday's LaLiga clash between an out-of-form Barcelona and league leaders Sevilla at the Camp Nou.
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona: Ernesto Valverde will once again be without the injured Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen, while Clement Lenglet should start against his old side. Another defensive doubt is Sergi Roberto, who will likely be replaced by Nelson Semedo.
Sevilla: The 'Nervionenses' have no fresh injury concerns on the back of the international break, though defender Gabriel Mercado sits on the sidelines with a fractured arm. Other than that, Pablo Machín has a full squad to choose from.
Valverde: "Sevilla are in good form and they have started the season well and started it early too. We have the challenge of reclaiming top spot. They are in good form and they can rotate players. They have options and they are ready for anything. We have quality to count on in the first team squad and in the B squad. Three important contests are coming up as against Sevilla we can go top again, against Inter Milan we are battling for top spot in La Liga and then comes El Clásico which everyone knows how important it is."
Machín: "Our motivation in every match must be the maximum, against every team. You can imagine it's even more than that against Barcelona. If we leave any gaps, they'll punish us. We go out to win every game. I think that my team can win at any pitch, including the Camp Nou. I would never go into a match playing for a draw. We're going to Barcelona to compete. We trust in what we have. I hope the league leader stays the same after the match."
FORM
DID YOU KNOW?
Sevilla have lost on each of their last six visits to the Camp Nou.
BESOCCER SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1 Barça
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur, Coutinho, Suarez, Messi.
Sevilla: Vaclik, Gomes, Kjaer, Carrico, Vidal, Banega, Vazquez, Sarabia, Navas, Ben Yedder, Silva.