Predicted teams Almeria-Barcelona: Xavi starts two 17-year-olds, Almeria goes with experience at the top
It could be quite the contrast at one end of the field tonight as Almeria hosts Barcelona at 21:30 CEST. The Andalusians gave Barcelona a good game at Montjuic, and were saved by captain Sergi Roberto in a 3-2 win.
The thought about how Pepe Mel and Xavi Hernandez will line up, but Sport believe it will be five at the back for Almeria, with Barcelona centre-back Chumi up against his old man. In terms of changes to the Barcelona team that beat Real Sociedade, the Catalan newspaper believes that Roberto will return to the side with Ilkay Gundogan out suspended, while also predicting that Joao Felix will return to the starting eleven.
They also have Ronald Araujo in the backline, but the Uruguayan has not recovered from his fitness problems, and has been left out of the squad. MD say that Inigo Martinez continues, with Hector Fort on his left, allowing Joao Cancelo to rest.
They have Ferran Torres and Raphinha ahead of Lamine Yamal and Felix, and Fermin Lopez returns to start ahead of Roberto as well. If Almeria goes with a 4-2-3-1 with Leo Baptistao, Jonathan Viera and Adrian Embarba behind Choco Lozano, then they will face defenders 14, 17, 15 and 14 years older than Fort and Cubarsi.
Almeria gave Barcelona a good game in December, and MD says Xavi Hernandez will mix up the pack a bit.
Ronald Araujo has not returned to the team, and Ilkay Gundogan is resting financially due to a suspension. pic.twitter.com/c8EuipRGss
— Football Spain (@footballespana_) May 16, 2024
