Predicted Xls Barcelona-Girona: Xavi Hernandez and Michel Sanchez to go at it with attacking line-ups

Barcelona host Girona at 21:00 CEST knowing they can go 15 points clear at the top of the La Liga table with a victory. Meanwhile their Catalan counterparts are looking to insert themselves into the European race, with a victory lifting them to eighth position.

Xavi Hernandez is expected to go with a conventional 4-3-3 rather than the four-midfielder system that has been favoured in 2023. That will afford another opportunity to Ansu Fati, who started last weekend against Elche and responded with a goal. Gavi will drop into midfield according to Sport, with Sergi Roberto dropping to the bench.

Marcos Alonso and Raphinha will also be dropped, with out of favour Eric Garcia coming into the team, and Ferran Torres being given an opportunity on the right.

Marca feel that Roberto will continue in the side as will Raphinha. However they also feel Fati will start, dropping Gavi into the midfield three and Roberto to right-back. That would say Ronald Araujo return to central defence alongside Jules Kounde.

Girona are waiting on the fitness of Aleix Garcia, and Sport believe he will start the match, but Marca see Ivan Martin starting. A front three of Rodrigo Riquelme, Taty Castellanos and in-form Viktor Tsygankov will begin up front by consensus.

Marca Predicted Line-Ups:

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Kounde, Araujo, Balde; Busquets, Kessie, Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ansu Fati.

Girona: Gazzaniga; Arnau, Santi Bueno, David Lopez, Javi Hernandez; Oriol Romeu, Ivan Martín, Borja Garcia; Tsygankov, Riquelme and Taty.