Barcelona vs Las Palmas : Expected Starting XI for La Liga match-up

Barcelona will be taking on Las Palmas as Ernesto Valverde’s men seek to maintain their 100% record

LISBON, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 27: Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta from Spain in action during the UEFA Champions League match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Barcelona at Estadio Jose Alvalade on September 27, 2017 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images) /

Barcelona have kept a perfect record in the La Liga and the Champions League this season. But the game against Las Palmas will be different. For one, Ernesto Valverde would need to keep in mind the fixtures after the international break.

The international break drains the players physically but it wouldn’t be a problem if the very next match wouldn’t be against Atlético Madrid. Making things even worse, after Atlético, Barcelona have a trip to Greece to face Olympiacos in the Champions League.

Therefore, Ernesto Valverde needs to pick his starting lineup against Las Palmas accordingly.

Squad : Marc-André ter Stegen, Jasper Cillessen, Nélson Semedo, Gerard Piqué, Ivan Rakitić, Sergio Busquets, Denis Suárez, Andrés Iniesta, André Gomes, Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Paulinho, Gerard Deulofeu, Sergi Roberto, Aleix Vidal, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba

General exclusions : Paco Alcácer, Lucas Digne, Arda Turan

Injury exclusions : Rafinha, Thomas Vermaelen, Ousmane Dembélé

Expected starting XI (4-3-3) :

Goalkeeper : Marc-André ter Stegen

Right-back : Aleix Vidal

Centre-back(left) : Javier Mascherano(vice-captain)

Centre-back(right) : Gerard Piqué(captain)

Left-back : Jordi Alba

Defensive midfielder : Paulinho

Playmaker(right) : Sergi Roberto

Playmaker(left) : André Gomes

Left forward : Denis Suárez

Centre forward : Luis Suárez

Right forward : Gerard Deulofeu

More from Everything Barca

Ernesto Valverde should be benching most of the first-team starters. Players like Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta and Samuel Umtiti deserve a rest. Also, their backups are capable of pulling it off.

But the most important player who has earned himself a rest is Lionel Messi. Messi has given it his all since the season started. But he is going to have a tough time with Argentina during the international break.

He will have to start every game for his nation if he wants to ensure that he will be starring for Argentina in next year’s World Cup. But Gerard Deulofeu will get the opportunity to make a statement on the pitch if Valverde rests Messi.

Although the Argentine maestro will not be happy, his physical condition comes before his happiness. Nonetheless, many members of the first-team will have to start. For example, Gerard Piqué, Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba will start because their backups are not in the squad.

Next: Barcelona decide not to approach Leon Goretzka next summer

Barcelona will not have a hard time playing the Canaries. Las Palmas have not had a good start to the season, and they lie in 17th place in the table.