Gerardo Martino faces a full blow injury crisis in the wake of the latest international break. Lionel Messi's abcense was know as he was injured before the break but several starters including Victor Valdés, Dani Alves and Cesc Fàbregas all returned with injuries that will keep them out of the match against Granada. The status of Xavi and Cristian Tello is also in doubt.
Barcelona vs. Granada: Preview and TV schedule
Barcelona will face two foes on Saturday at the Camp Nou as they must not only deal with Granada but a seemingly ever expanding injury list.
Denis Doyle
Basically, the cupboard is a bit bare at the moment at least in terms of depth for Barcelona. Martino should still be able to field a dangerous side but there's little room for any more injuries to occur.
For Granada their might never be a better chance to pull off a big upset over the Blaugrana. El Graná currently sit in eighth place but such is the congested nature of the league table that there’s only a five point gap between them and the drop zone.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Victor Valdés (calf), Lionel Messi (hamstring), Cesc Fàbregas (knee), Gerard Piqué (groin), Dani Alves (hamstring), Jordi Alba (hamstring). In doubt: Xavi Hernandez (hamstring), Cristian Tello (ankle).
Granada injuries and suspensions
Out: None.
Valdés and Messi are expected to be out until January but Fábregas, Piqué and Alves could return in the next week or two. Jordi Alba continues to recover from an injury filled first half of the season as well.
Projected lineups
Barcelona: José Manuel Pinto, Martin Montoya, Marc Bartra, Carles Puyol, Adriano, Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Pedro Rodriguez, Neymar, Alexis Sánchez
Granada: Roberto, Dimitri Foulquier, Pape Diakhaté, Jeison Murillo, Brayan Angulo, Hassan Yebda, Manuel Iturra, Fran Rico, Diego Buonanotte, Youssef El-Arabi, Yacine Brahimi
Match Date/Time: 4 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
TV: beIN Sport, beIN Sport en Español (U.S.), C+ Liga Multi, Canal+ Liga (Spain)
Online: beIN Sport Play (U.S.), beIN Play Sport Canada (Canada)
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