Barcelona host Leganes on December 15 and they face a tight battle as the La Liga’s title race heads towards the end of 2024.
Mixed domestic form continues to be an issue for the former Bayern Munich boss with the Catalan giants winning just one of their last five league games.
That has allowed Real Madrid to step up the pressure, with the title gap now down to two points, and the potential for an overtaking – depending on this weekend’s results.
Leganes arrive in Barcelona also with just one win in their last five league outings but they have failed to win an away match since the start of the campaign.
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Barcelona vs. Leganes lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Barcelona are concerned over the fitness of captain Raphinha who was forced off in their 3-2 midweek UEFA Champions League win at Borussia Dortmund due to a muscle injury.
The Brazil international is expected to be OK, but the hosts will take no chances. Robert Lewandowski should retain his starting spot – despite Ferran Torres scoring twice off the bench as his substitute replacement in Dortmund.
The Poland international is in line for a reported break, depending on Raphinha’s fitness, but the main absence will be Flick himself as he starts a two-game La Liga touchline ban.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Pena (GK) — Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde — De Jong, Casado, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Injured: Bernal, Christensen, Ter Stegen, Fati, Raphinha (doubtful)
Suspended: None
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Leganes head coach Borja Jimenez will make a late check on his squad with Dani Raba and Darko Brasanac pushing to return from injury.
Defender Valentin Rosier will miss out, after picking up his fifth league booking of the campaign in a 3-0 loss to Real Sociedad last weekend, triggering a one-game ban.
Leganes predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Dmitrovic (GK) — Altimira, Gonzalez, Nastasic, Hernandez — Tapia, Neyou — Garcia, Rodriguez, Brasanac — De la Fuente.
Injured: Frankness, Brasanac (doubtful), Raba (doubtful)
Suspended: Rosier
Barcelona vs. Leganes live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
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