Barcelona predicted to face Almeria

Barcelona’s topsy-turvy 2023/24 season is drawing to a close, with Xavi getting a much-needed break on Monday night.
Real Sociedad’s 2-0 win came after Girona finished twice against their Catalan rivals last weekend. Xavi’s u-turn on his future at the club has raised many eyebrows, and Barcelona’s rising form after the results have raised questions about whether the Spaniard deserves to continue.
A good end to the campaign will do the manager a world of good in what has been a very dark season, overall. With three games to go, Barcelona face La Liga’s worst outfit, Almeria, away from home on Thursday night.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – The German appears to be on the decline and there could be an assessment of his future in the summer. He is currently the team’s number 1.
RB: Jules Kounde – Kounde has long been a shoo-in at right back, and that is unlikely to change on Thursday night.
CB: Ronald Araujo – The centre-back was unused against Real Sociedad and is likely to return to the XI on Thursday. His future is up in the air this summer as Bayern Munich are reportedly on the lookout.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – Xavi could name the youngster or Inigo Martinez, who got a rare La Liga start on Monday night.
LB: Hector Fort – Joao Cancelo has yet to set the world on fire on the left, and as the season draws to a close, it is an easy way to buy young Fort, who has impressed in his rare appearances this season, more minutes.
CM: Andreas Christensen – In the absence of Frenkie de Jong, Christensen is likely to resume his role as Barcelona’s manager in the middle of the park.
CM: Pedri – The Spaniard has been in and out of the squad since returning from injury, but is ready to start back-to-back matches in four days. Expect Pedri to get another hour under his belt, at least.
CM: Fermin Lopez – Fermin’s knock in the box means he is the right man to replace the suspended Ilkay Gundogan.
RW: Ferran Torres – Lamine Yamal, who scored on Monday night, should be relieved to see a quick turnaround. Xavi has Ferran to call upon and would be wise to use him in Yamal’s favor against Almeria.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – It doesn’t look like Vitor Roque will be getting minutes anytime soon. Therefore, Lewandowski is likely to record another impressive start in 2024.
LW: Joao Felix – Raphinha has been excellent for Barca of late, but he could be rested on Thursday. Felix has done little to suggest he should take it on permanently this summer, but he will try to change that.
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