Barcelona vs. Malaga: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Rik SharmaFeb 20, 2015

The toughest thing about Barcelona's home clash against Malaga on Saturday afternoon is keeping their eyes on the prize.

On Tuesday night they take on Manchester City in the Champions League and that should not be allowed to distract the Catalans as they bid for their 12th win on the trot.

Perhaps knowing that they will go top of the league if they win, at least until Real Madrid play on Sunday, will be enough to maintain their concentration.

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Daniel Tejedor/Associated Press

Form-wise, Barcelona are the hottest side in Europe. Malaga, meanwhile, will be stung by defeats by Levante and Espanyol, a blow to the gut after their excellent 1-0 win over Valencia.

Malaga are seventh in the table have an outside shot for a Europa League place. Barcelona, meanwhile, trail leaders Real Madrid by just one point.

Barcelona have everybody fit, apart from Thomas Vermaelen, per Sport, although Douglas has not yet received his medical clearance.

Uncredited/Associated Press/Associated Press

Malaga, meanwhile, will be missing Nordin Amrabat and Ignacio Camacho because of suspension, due to accumulation of yellow cards. The latter will be a big miss; arguably he's been the club's best player this season.

Javi Guerra has been injured but should be able to play, while Roberto Chen and Flavio Ferrerira will miss out, per WhoScored.com.

Malaga could look for a double pivot in front of the defence for added security, in a 4-2-3-1, while Barcelona now seem settled in their 4-3-3 formation.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 15: Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Levante UD at Camp Nou on February 15, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Ima

David Ramos/Getty Images

Predicted Lineups:

Barcelona: Bravo, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

Malaga: Kameni, Rosales, Sanchez, Weligton, Boka, Darder, Recio, Samuel, Juanmi, Castillejo, Guerra.

Date: Saturday, February 20

Time: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET

Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona

TV Info: beIN Sports USA (US only). Game not shown live on UK TV due to broadcasting regulations.

Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect (US only)

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 01: Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona misses a chance to score during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Camp Nou on February 1, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

David Ramos/Getty Images

Barcelona Form (all La Liga matches unless specified)

Jan 28 - Atletico Madrid 2-3 Barcelona (W)
Feb 1 - Barcelona 3-2 Villarreal (W)
Feb 8 - Athletic 2-5 Barcelona (W)
Feb 11 - Barcelona 3-1 Villarreal (Copa del Rey, W)
Feb 15 - Barcelona 5-0 Levante (W)

Malaga Form

Jan 18 - Sevilla 2-0 Malaga (L)
Jan 25 - Athletic 1-1 Malaga (D)
Feb 2 - Malaga 1-0 Valencia (W)
Feb 7 - Levante 4-1 Malaga (L)
Feb 14 - Malaga 0-2 Espanyol (L)

MALAGA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 29: Goal keeper Carlos Kameni of Malaga CF greets goal keeper Iker Casillas of Real Madrid at the end of the La Liga match between Malaga CF and Real Madrid CF at La Rosaleda studium on November 29, 2014 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo

Sergio Camacho/Getty Images

Key Quote

Luis Enrique spoke on Friday ahead of the game and when asked if his team would be distracted by the Manchester City Champions League clash, replied per JM Diaz of Sport:

"Although I think players are used to playing every three days, and the game is there, you can see it out of the corner of your eye, I don't think the players will fall into this trap. Our situation in the league doesn't allow us not to take these three points."

Key Battle

Arthur Boka, the Ivorian left-back, is a decent player, but will have his hands full against Lionel Messi. The Argentine has been deployed on the right by Enrique, so that's where we expect him to start against Malaga. If Boka does get the chance to break away, then it will be Dani Alves who has to watch out.