Araujo, Raphinha start in a 4-3-3: How Barcelona could line up against Mallorca | OneFootball

Barcelona will be aiming to consolidate their position at the top of the La Liga standings when they lock horns with RCD Mallorca away at Son Moix on Tuesday night.

The 3-2 remontada win over Celta Vigo followed by Real Madrid’s defeat to Atletico Madrid meant that Barça finished matchweek six as league leaders with a one-point lead over their arch-rivals.

A victory against Javier Aguirre’s side tomorrow night would enable Xavi Hernandez & co. to stretch their gap to four points, at least temporarily, and put pressure on the capital city club.

But, the reigning champions will have to do so without two of their most influential players in Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. The former is still a few weeks away from returning while the latter picked up an injury on Saturday and is out until November.

Xavi hinted that there could be some more rotations on the cards against Mallorca and here is how Barcelona could line up when they take on Mallorca tomorrow night.

Starters

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has once again been crucial to Barcelona’s strong start to the season and will once again man the goal against Mallorca.

There could be a few alterations in the backline, though, with Ronald Araujo likely to start after making his comeback from injury against Celta Vigo.

The Uruguayan international could come into the team at the expense of Jules Kounde while Inigo Martinez could be in line for his first start for Barcelona. Andreas Christensen would be the one to make way.

In line for his first start. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Both the full-back slots could be in for changes as Sergi Roberto could come in for Joao Cancelo, who could do with some rest. Alejandro Balde should reclaim his rightful starting berth at left-back after starting on the bench at the weekend.

Given the injuries to Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, Barça do not have much room to rotate in the midfield department. As such, Oriol Romeu will hold the fort as the pivot while Ilkay Gundogan and Gavi line up as the two interior midfielders.

Xavi has not rotated Robert Lewandowski so far this season and with the Pole finding some goalscoring form, it is unlikely that the manager could look to make any changes there.

Meanwhile, Raphinha could get a look-in on the right flank after having had to settle for appearances from the bench in the past few matches.

Joao Felix has been in brilliant form in recent matches, but with an important game against Sevilla coming up later this weekend, Xavi might look to give him a bit of a breather. Instead, Ferran Torres could find himself starting on the left flank.

Ferran · Lewandowski · RaphinhaGavi · Romeu · GundoganBalde · Inigo · Araujo · Robertoter Stegen

Substitutes

Joao Felix is a certainty to come off the bench if he is not part of the starting lineup. Xavi could also give young Fermin Lopez a go considering that he is light on options in midfield.

Lamine Yamal is another player who is certain to get some minutes at Mallorca while the manager could call upon one of Jules Kounde or Andreas Christensen given that Inigo Martinez might not be in a position to play a full game.