Barcelonavs.Real Sociedad

The Catalan outfit will again be without the services of three players through injury, with Alejandro Balde and Gavi remaining long-term absentees for the club.

Frenkie de Jong, meanwhile, is sidelined with an ankle injury, with the Netherlands international not expected to feature again during the 2023-24 campaign.

Pedri and Raphinha are both set to return to the XI on Monday, with Sergi Roberto and Fermin Lopez potentially dropping down to the bench for the visit of Real Sociedad.

Ferran Torres and Joao Felix are also bidding to feature in the final third of the field, but it is unlikely that either Lamine Yamal or Robert Lewandowski will drop out.

Andreas Christensen is currently Xavi's preferred option in the number six position, and the Denmark international is again set to feature in that area of the field on Monday night.

Pau Cubarsi, who has just signed a new contract at the club, will line up alongside Ronald Araujo in the middle of the back four.

Meanwhile, Jules Kounde will feature at right-back, and there have been claims that the France international will be on the move during this summer's transfer window in a big-money deal.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Gundogan, Christensen, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha