Barcelona vs. Eibar live and online.
This Sunday at Camp Nou, the Catalan team has a favorable match to maintain its leadership in the Liga BBVA, as Real Madrid defeated Celta de Vigo in Balaídos (12:15 p.m. ESPN).
Barcelona has 18 points in the standings, three less than Real Madrid. Therefore, Luis Enrique's team needs a victory today to reach the top spot and face their classic rival on November 21 at the Bernabéu.
Lineups:
Barcelona:
Bravo; Alves, Bartra, Piqué, Alba; Rakitic, Mascherano, Busquets; Sandro, Luis Suárez and Neymar.
Eibar:
Riesgo; Capa, Dos Santos, Pantic, Juncà; Escalante, Dani García, Verdi, Keko; Takashi Inui and Borja Bastón.
PREVIEW
Although it is unlikely that Iniesta will be in the starting lineup for Barcelona, the recovery of the Fuentealbilla native, who has been out of action for the last four weeks, is a morale boost for the Blaugrana squad, which has been plagued by injuries throughout the season.
In addition, the return of the captain will allow Luis Enrique to make some more rotations in the midfield, where Sergio Busquets has been playing almost every game due to injuries to Iniesta, Rafinha Alcántara, who will miss almost the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury, and now Sergi Roberto, with a groin strain that will keep him out of action for another week.
Luis Enrique has already recovered defender Thomas Vermaelen, who could give Gerard Piqué a rest in the center of the defense tomorrow, as Piqué finished the match against BATE Borisov with hip discomfort.
Luis Enrique: "The goal is to win, and if we can do it without conceding, even better" https://t.co/4nEyRkm8g7
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 24, 2015
Javier Mascherano will probably have to advance his position again and form a midfield trio with Busquets and Rakitic, which would once again open the door for Marc Bartra to start alongside Vermaelen in the center of the defense.
In any case, it will not be until the Copa del Rey match next Wednesday against Villanovense of the Segunda B, when the Asturian coach will give rest to players like Neymar, Luis Suárez, Busquets or Rakitic.
Luis Enrique will put all his efforts into this key match to take the lead and, with Leo Messi recovered, face the next challenge at the Bernabéu on November 21.
Eibar will try to surprise Barcelona in their second visit to the Camp Nou in history, playing without fear and propelled by their good start in the league.
However, Eibar will arrive weakened by four injuries, two of which are to players who started against Sevilla last week.
Possible lineups:
Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Vermaelen, Bartra, Jordi Alba; Mascherano, Sergio Busquets, Rakitic, Sandro, Luis Suárez and Neymar.
Eibar: Riesgo; Capa, Dos Santos, Pantic, David Juncà; Escalante, Dani García; Keko or Saúl Berjón, Sergi Enrich or Verdi, Inui; and Borja Bastón.
Source: EFE