Barcelona vs. Leganes: Team News, Preview, Live Stream and TV Info
Barcelona have the chance to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to 12 points when they host Leganes on Saturday. Barca boss Ernesto Valverde will want his team to take full advantage 24 hours prior to Sunday's Madrid derby between Atletico and Real.
Valverde's squad have set a relentless pace at the top of the table, but Leganes have predictably found life tougher. The visitors will arrive mired in mid-table, but a comfortable 15 points clear of the relegation zone.
Unfortunately for Leganes, Barcelona will be able to welcome back key players after Wednesday's 4-1 home win over AS Roma in the UEFA Champions league quarter-final first leg.
Here are the schedule and viewing details for the match:
Date: Saturday, April 7
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST. 2:45 p.m. ET
TV Info: Sky Sports Football. beIN Sports.
Live Stream: Sky Go. beIN Sports CONNECT.
Barca's attack should look a lot different than on Wednesday, not least because Philippe Coutinho can be involved. The former Liverpool playmaker, who joined the Blaugrana during the January transfer window, was ineligible for Champions League action.
Coutinho will be back for the run-in to the title, but he has a point to prove. The Brazil international has made a slow start to life in the Spanish top flight.
More was expected of the playmaker who cost £146 million, per Terry Gibson, who recently told the La Liga Weekly Podcast (h/t Sky Sports): "We should have [higher expectations of Coutinho]. We shouldn't just allow this settling-in period when you cost that much.
Coutinho has the vision and class to make the grade at Barca, but he functions best with pace around him. It's why a possible return to the starting XI for Ousmane Dembele could be excellent news for the South American schemer.
The French forward started the game against Roma on the bench, but his quickness and trickery from the left are major assets. Dembele, whose season has been interrupted by injury, offers a natural outlet and link for star strikers Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the latter of whom was on the scoresheet against Roma.
Valverde also has the option of starting Paulinho at the heart of midfield. Like Dembele, the Brazilian was a substitute against Roma, although he did come off the bench for the final 24 minutes.
As for Leganes, manager Asier Garitano's side have relied on Watford loanee Nordin Amrabat for energy and ingenuity. He led the line in the last game, although Garitano's men were held goalless by Valencia at home.
Leganes may be wise to let former Liverpool striker Nabil El Zhar test his pace against Barca centre-back Gerard Pique.
No matter who starts up front for the away side, the champions elect have too much talent for this game to end in anything other than a convincing home win.
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