Leganes vs Barcelona Preview: Recent History, Key Battles, Team News & More

La Liga leaders Barcelona face Leganes on Saturday afternoon, with Ernesto Valverde's side looking to extend their lead at the top of the table. Barcelona are

La Liga leaders Barcelona face Leganes on Saturday afternoon, with Ernesto Valverde's side looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Barcelona are unbeaten this season, having won all but one of their opening 11 games, while Leganes have enjoyed a solid start to this season's campaign, currently sitting in ninth place.

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Having beaten Bilbao and held Atletico to a goalless draw so far at home this season, the trip to Leganes certainly won't be an easy task for Barca as they look to take another step to securing the league title.

Recent History

Leganes endured a tough first encounter with the Catalan giants last season, with the visitors  securing a 5-1 win courtesy of a brace from Lionel Messi, while Luis Suarez, Neymar and Rafinha also got on the scoresheet.

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However, Leganes held Barca until the 90th minute in the return fixture, only to see Messi convert from the spot to earn his side a 2-1 victory.

Key Battle

Lionel Messi vs Ezequiel Munoz

Very few defenders in the world can contain Lionel Messi, and if Leganes are to walk away with anything on Saturday afternoon, suppressing the Argentine will be key. 

Ezequiel Munoz, who returned from a back injury against Valencia, will need to be on the top of his game to stop the threat of Messi and co. 

Should Leganes manage to do so, they could be in with a chance of exploiting Barcelona on the counter attack.

Team News

Barcelona will be without trusty all-rounder Sergi Roberto, who is ruled out until early next month with a hamstring injury, while long-term absentees Ousmane Dembele, Rafinha, and Arda Turan remain on the sidelines.

Potential Leganes Starting Team: Cuellar, Zaldua, Siovas, Munoz, Rico, Eraso, Perez, Pires, Amrabat, Beauvue, Szymanowski

Potential Barcelona Starting Team: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Alcacer, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Suarez, Messi

Prediction

Barcelona look more than likely to extend their lead at the top of La Liga, with every area of the team seemingly thriving this season under Ernesto Valverde.

If Leganes are to stand any chance of walking away from Saturday's game with a point, they will need to contain a rampant Barcelona strike force, which could prove to be an almighty task.

Prediction: Leganes 0 - 3 Barcelona