Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Barcelona team news: Predicted Barcelona line up vs PSV – Coutinho, Vidal in, Dembele out
BARCELONA are expected to ring the changes for their opening Champions League group game against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday (5.55pm).
Barcelona are likely to make several alterations to their starting XI as they look to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start.
Manager Ernesto Valverde fielded a weakened side against Real Sociedad on Saturday and almost paid the price with his team coming from behind to win 2-1.
However, the Barca manager was able to rest some key personnel for the midweek clash with PSV and should rotate in several fresh players.
Philippe Coutinho came off the bench on Saturday and is expected to be given a starting role against the Dutch opponents.
The Brazilian is most likely to form part of a three-man attack alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, as opposed to taking up his usual role in midfield.
Instead, Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal should both return alongside Ivan Rakitic as Valverde looks to control the centre of the pitch.
Rafinha and Ousmane Dembele are both expected to drop out after disappointing displays against Sociedad, while Sergi Roberto will move to right-back in place of Nelson Semedo.
Jordi Alba is expected to start on the opposite flank while Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique are nailed-on in central defence.
Summer signings Malcom and Arthur will both be hoping to make their Champions League debuts but are likely to begin the match on the bench.
Barcelona are currently top of La Liga with a perfect record of four wins from four games so far this season.
The defending champions are two points clear of Real Madrid after Los Blancos drew against Athletic Bilbao yesterday.
Meanwhile, PSV enter the match on the back of a thumping 7-0 win over Den Haag, while the Dutch outfit also recorded a 6-1 victory over Willem II at the start of the month.