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Barcelona team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Slavia Prague – Suarez out, Dembele doubt
Barcelona will be without Luis Suarez due to injury when the Catalan giants continue their Champions League campaign against Slavia Prague tonight (5.55pm GMT).
Barcelona train before Slavia Prague Champions League game
Barcelona manager Enresto Valverde will need to find a replacement for Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan suffered a calf injury against Levante at the weekend.
Suarez was forced off after just 41 minutes and replaced by youngster Carles Perez in the shock 3-1 defeat, with the 32-year-old expected to now be out for around three weeks.
Summer signing Antoine Griezmann should take over the central striker role, having previously operated out on the left wing when both Suarez and Lionel Messi are fit.
And Valverde could recall Ousmane Dembele to the starting line-up on the flank, although the Frenchman was left out of the squad entirely at the weekend.
Dembele was available after serving a two-game domestic suspension following a red card against Sevilla, but the 22-year-old was snubbed completely in favour of Perez and Ansu Fati.
Therefore it is conceivable that Valverde will once again opt for the Barcelona academy graduates over Dembele, knowing victory at home against Slavia will signify a huge step towards qualification for the knockout stages.
Sergio Busquets is likely to be recalled into central midfield at the expense of Arturo Vidal, having only been used a substitute away at Levante.
The veteran Spaniard should join Frenkie de Jong and Arthur as Valverde’s first-choice midfield while Jordi Alba is also set to make a comeback, having been rested last time out.
Alba’s return would free Nelson Semedo to switch back over to the right side of defence, meaning Sergi Roberto would drop to the bench.
At centre-back, Clement Lenglet will partner Gerard Pique once again although the injured Samuel Umtiti is nearing a return to full fitness.
As for Pique, the Spaniard is just one booking away from suspension so will be walking a disciplinary tightrope ahead of further clashes against Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.
David Hovorka is injured for Slavia Prague so Michal Frydrych could come into central defence alongside Ondrej Kudela as the Czech side search for their first win in Group F.
Barcelona predicted line-up vs Slavia Prague – Champions League
(4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, De Jong, Arthur; Messi, Dembele, Griezmann