Barcelona will hope to pick up their second win of the new season when they take on a tricky Villarreal side away at El Madrigal on Sunday.

After starting the campaign with a draw against Getafe, the Blaugrana got off the mark last weekend as they secured a 2-0 victory over Cadiz at home.

And, the reigning champions of La Liga must now look to build on that win although it will be easier said than done against Quique Setien’s Yellow Submarine, that too in their own backyard.

Matters will be further complicated thanks to the injury-enforced absence of key midfielder Pedri, who joins Ronald Araujo on the sidelines while Inigo Martinez also remains unavailable.

Marcos Alonso has finally been registered with La Liga and will be at Xavi’s disposal for Sunday’s trip, but the same cannot be said of reserve goalkeeper Inaki Pena, while Raphinha is suspended.

Here’s how Xavi might set his team up as he looks to guide Barcelona to an important win against Villarreal.

Starters

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Barcelona and he will look to celebrate his new contract with yet another clean sheet to make it three in three this season.

In the injury-enforced absence of Ronald Araujo last game, Xavi opted to deploy Frenkie de Jong at centre-back.

However, the manager is expected to revert to a traditional four-man defensive unit against Villarreal with captain Sergi Roberto starting at the right-back position while Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde line up as the centre-halves.

There had been some concerns about Alejandro Balde’s availability after he picked up a knock in training on Friday. But Xavi has assured that the youngster will be available and he should start at left-back.

Fit and ready to go. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Oriol Romeu has settled in very well in a short period at Barcelona and is guaranteed to start as the lone pivot for the champions.

De Jong should return to his natural habitat in midfield on Sunday after playing in defence last time out while Ilkay Gundogan should be the third central midfielder on the pitch for Barcelona.

With Pedri unavailable, it should pave the way for Gavi to make his second start of the season, slotting in as the false-winger on the left flank.

Robert Lewandowski will lead the line as usual for Barcelona, but will need to be more effective in front of the goal. The prodigious Lamine Yamal should once again feature from kick-off on the right.

Barcelona Predicted Lineup: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Kounde, Christensen, Balde, De Jong, Romeu, Gundogan, Yamal, Lewandowski, Gavi.

Substitutes

Ez Abde is a player Xavi has turned to recently to add some verve to the frontline and the Moroccan will again be called upon against Villarreal. Last match’s goalscorer Ferran Torres is certain to come on from the bench as well, as is Ansu Fati.

Marcos Alonso might feature at some point in the second half, especially if the game is in the bag as the manager might look to protect Alejandro Balde. Fermin Lopez could be an option as he awaits his official Barcelona debut.