The title race could be decided tomorrow evening
FC Barcelona travel to Gran Canaria tomorrow to play their final away match of the 2016-17 La Liga season, as they will face off against Las Palmas in what promises to be one of the most important matches of the season. For the Blaugrana, anything less than a win will see the title race effectively end; at the moment Barcelona are tied on points with Real Madrid, but Los Blancos have a match in hand on their eternal rivals. With the balance of power so finely poised, neither side can afford a slip-up.
However, in an away trip to the fortress that is the Estadio Gran Canaria, Luis Enrique’s side have a difficult test on their hands. Likewise, Real Madrid welcome Sevilla FC to the Santiago Bernabeu meaning that they too have a sizeable obstacle in their path. With a midweek trip to Balaidos also on the horizon, this is a crucial week for Zinedine Zidane and one that in all likelihood will decide the title race.
In other words, it’s a tough time for Barcelona to be facing an injury crisis. The news this week has gone from bad to worse; Gerard Pique has picked up an illness and his absence is only accentuated by the fact that Jeremy Mathieu remains sidelined by injury and that Sergi Roberto will miss out through suspension. Summer signing, Marlon has received a call-up for the match to bolster the defensive ranks but without a recognised right-back and without their best centre-half, Barcelona’s defense is looking even thinner than usual.
Luis Enrique therefore has a major decision to make in his penultimate La Liga match as Barcelona coach; does he switch back to a three-man defense, or does he stick with a four-man backline and play at least one player out of position?
TEAM NEWS
BARCELONA
We’ve covered the big team news already; the question is what do we expect Luis Enrique to do about it tomorrow? For me, the choice is actually relatively simple; based on the form of key midfield personnel, Enrique should have no hesitation in starting with a three-man backline and trusting his team to deliver the goods.
Marlon may have been called up, but I suspect that he will not be starting tomorrow evening. It’s not that he isn’t necessarily ready; it’s more that there’s no need to thrust him immediately into the spotlight in this high pressure scenario. Javier Mascherano will start in his usual role on the right-hand side of the three man backline, while Samuel Umtiti has demonstrated in the past that he is capable of playing the central role. That leaves one last spot – and I would trust either Lucas Digne or Jordi Alba to fill that position, particularly given that Las Palmas often play without a recognised striker.
Perhaps if this were a match against a side with someone akin to Aritz Aduriz leading the line then I would suggest that there are better options, but Las Palmas typically start with Kevin Prince Boateng in attack and the Ghanian, talented though he may be, is not a conventional threat in a #9 position.
Plus, the midfield is equipped to provide the necessary support. Ivan Rakitic is in fine form, while Andre Gomes is playing well and showing signs that he is beginning to settle in after a rocky start to his Blaugrana career. Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta of course do not need to be questioned, and that four-man midfield provides a solid combination of technical ability, industry and creativity.
In attack, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are back scoring goals for fun and no doubt the trio will be looking to emulate the kind of beating that Atletico Madrid handed down in the last match at the Estadio Gran Canaria, as Simeone’s side ran rampant en-route to a manita victory.
LAS PALMAS
Don’t let their recent form fool you; Las Palmas remain a threat despite losing six of their last eight matches. At home, Las Palmas have lost just three matches all season and it’s no secret that Barcelona’s inconsistent away form is the reason that Real Madrid are in pole position in this title race. In Quique Setien, Las Palmas boast one of the finest tactical minds in La Liga, and as this promises to be his final home match in charge of the club he will be hoping he can leave with one last positive result.
Vicente Gomez and Tana are both missing through injury which does throw something of a spanner into the works for Setien, but he still has a plethora of talent at his disposal who will be ready to step in and challenge the defending champions.
FORM GUIDE
Barcelona: WDWWWW
Las Palmas: WLDLLL
LAST MEETING
FC Barcelona 5-0 UD Las Palmas – 14th January 2017 – La Liga
A brace from Luis Suarez proved inspirational to the Blaugrana, who hit the visitors for a manita in this comfortable Camp Nou win.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Barcelona (3-4-3): ter Stegen; Mascherano, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Gomes, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Las Palmas (4-2-3-1): Varas; Simon, Bigas, Lemos, Lopes; Montoro, Mesa; Viera, Momo, Garcia; Boateng
MATCH PREDICTION
We simply have too much firepower for them to handle; 4-1 to the visiting Blaugrana.
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