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Barcelona team news vs Levante: Predicted line up – Messi and Suarez rested, Malcom starts
BARCELONA manager Ernesto Valverde is expected to ring the changes when his side take on Levante in the first leg of their Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash with Levante on Thursday (8.30pm).
Copa del Rey: Barcelona train ahead of Levante clash
Barcelona travel to Levante looking to continue their excellent record in the Copa del Rey, having won the competition for the past five years.
Ernesto Valverde is likely to heavily rotate his side for the first leg of the Round of 16 tie, with Barca’s key stars requiring rest before a vital run of fixtures in February.
The Catalan club are currently five points clear at the top of La Liga after goals from Lionel Messi and Luiz Suarez secured victory over Getafe at the weekend.
The star duo are not likely to be risked against Levante with matches against Valencia, Sevilla, Real Madrid and a Champions League clash with Lyon on the horizon.
This means younger members of the Barcelona squad will have an opportunity to impress, with a much-changed side having seen off Cultural Leonesa in the last round.
Marc Andre ter Stegen will almost certainly make way for reserve goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen while Nelson Semedo should come in for Sergi Roberto at right-back.
Gerard Pique is sure to get a rest with Barcelona B centre-back Chumi potentially partnering Clement Lenglet in the heart of the rearguard.
Jordi Alba may be one of the few first-team stars on show at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, although Valverde may also be tempted to bring in Juan Miranda.
Sergio Busquets will provide some much needed experience in midfield, having only appeared as a substitute against Getafe.
Ivan Rakitic played 90 minutes in the 2-1 win and should make way for one of Arturo Vidal or Arthur, who were both substituted on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alena should fill the final midfield spot as he continues to develop as an exciting young talent.
In attack, Valverde is likely to field the same trio of Malcom, Denis Suarez and Munir El Haddadi who performed so effectively in the last round where all three were on the scoresheet in the 4-1 second leg victory.
Barcelona predicted line-up vs Levante – Copa del Rey
(4-3-3: Cillessen; Semedo, Brandariz, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, Vidal, Alena; Malcom, D. Suarez, Munir