Lionel Messi should be back into the starting XI while Ronald Araujo will also be in contention to feature when Barcelona take on Cadiz in La Liga this weekend.
Barcelona will be aiming to grab all three points when they travel to Estadio Ramon de Carranza to face off against newly-promoted Cadiz in matchweek 12 of the 2020/21 La Liga.
Ahead of the game, manager Ronald Koeman has been greeted with some good news on the injury front as defender Ronald Araujo has recovered completely and is back in the 21-man squad for the trip to Cadiz, while fellow centre-back Samuel Umtiti is also closing in on a return.
✅ @RonaldAraujo939 is declared fit and in the squad! ? pic.twitter.com/IiiggQqLAj
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 4, 2020
Speaking in his pre-match presser (h/t Barca Universal), the Dutchman said, “Araújo has injured for a couple of weeks, and I will decide when is the right time for him to play. There are several games coming up. Umtiti is very close. He started, and played 60 minutes with the B team, without any problem. I don’t know when, but soon he will be on the list.”
However, the Blaugrana will continue to be without the services of veteran defender Gerard Pique along with Sergi Roberto and teenage sensation Ansu Fati. While Araujo’s return is a boost, it is unlikely that Koeman will tinker with the centre-back partnership of Oscar Mingueza and Clement Lenglet that has worked so well in the recent games.
Sergino Dest is proving to be an excellent addition to the Catalans backline and should start at right-back, while Jordi Alba is expected to slot in on the left. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who was rested for the midweek clash against Ferencvaros, should return in goal, replacing Neto.
Cadiz vs Barcelona Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Frenkie de Jong did not start in the Champions League clash earlier in the week, but should be reinstated to the starting XI against Cadiz. The Dutchman ought to partner up with Sergio Busquets in the double pivot in the middle of the park, with Miralem Pjanic and Carles Alena as options from the bench.
Antoine Griezmann has been quite impressive in the past couple of matches and should once again get the nod in the No. 10 role this weekend. Ousmane Dembele stole the show for Barcelona against Ferencvaros earlier this week, but could be set to make way for captain Lionel Messi, who was rested for the midweek clash.
There have been speculations surrounding Messi once again, with a potential transfer to PSG being mooted. Addressing these rumours, Koeman said (h/t Barca Universal), “We know Leo’s situation. There’s only one person who can decide his future and that is Leo. I’m not interested in comments from the outside, but rather those from inside the club.”
The Barcelona captain should slot in on the right flank for Barcelona against Cadiz while youngster Pedri could be in line for a starting berth on the opposite flank. Martin Braithwaite has been in a hot streak in recent games and should, thus, continue in the centre-forward role on Saturday.
Barcelona Predicted XI: ter Stegen; Dest, Mingueza, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, de Jong; Messi, Griezmann, Pedri; Braithwaite.
