Thursday, September 28
 
Sep 23, 2017 at 7.45pm UK
GironaGirona
0-3
Barcelona

Maffeo (23'), Benitez (41'), Kayode (83')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Benitez (17' og.), Iraizoz (48' og.), Suarez (69')

Team News: Luis Suarez back for Catalan derby

Luis Suarez and Aleix Vidal start up front with Lionel Messi as Barcelona travel to Girona in the first ever league meeting between the two sides.

Luis Suarez and Aleix Vidal start up front with Lionel Messi as Barcelona travel to Girona in the first ever league meeting between the two sides.

Gerard Deulofeu and Denis Suarez had started alongside Messi in the 6-1 victory over Eibar on Tuesday night as Ernesto Valverde's side continued their perfect start to the new campaign.

In all, Valverde makes six changes from the midweek fixture, with Denis Suarez dropping to the bench and Deulofeu being rested ahead of the trip to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

There is one change in the middle of the park, as Ivan Rakitic comes in for Sergio Busquets alongside Paulinho and Andres Iniesta.

Gerard Pique, Nelson Semedo and Lucas Digne all drop out of the backline as Samuel Umtiti comes in to partner Javier Mascherano at centre-back, Sergi Roberto is in at right-back and Jordi Alba plays on the left.

For the hosts, Pablo Machin makes seven changes to his starting XI for the historic fixture following the goalless draw at Leganes on Wednesday.

There is an all-new front three tonight as Douglas Luiz, Michael Olunga and Portu come in for Borja Garcia, Manchester City loanee Olarenwaju Kayode and Cristhian Stuani.

Pere Pons and Pablo Maffeo retain their places in the midfield, with Aleix Garcia and Aday Benitez coming in for Alex Granell and Johan Mojica.

Machin sticks with a back three for the encounter, with Juanpe joined by Jonas Ramalho and Bernardo Espinosa, in for Pedro Alcala and Marc Muniesa.

Girona: Iraizoz; Ramalho, Espinosa, Juanpe; Aday, Pons, Garcia, Maffeo; Luiz, Olunga, Portu
Subs: Bono, Mojica, Granell, Stuani, Marlos, Kayode, Borja Garcia

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Umtiti, Mascherano, Alba; Paulinho, Rakitic, Iniesta; Vidal, Messi, L Suarez
Subs: Cillessen, Pique, Busquets, D Suarez, Alcacer, Digne, Gomes

Keep up with all of the action from Catalonia this evening with Sports Mole's live text commentary here.

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La Liga Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona66002021818
2Atletico MadridAtletico6420124814
3Sevilla641173413
4Valencia6330125712
5Real Betis6402107312
6Real Madrid6321116511
7Leganes631253210
8Real Sociedad6303131309
9Levante62318809
10Getafe62228538
11Athletic Bilbao62227618
12Espanyol622279-28
13Celta Vigo621310827
14Villarreal621369-37
15Las PalmasLas Palmas6204510-56
16EibarEibar6204314-116
17GironaGirona612338-55
18Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo6114715-84
19Malaga6015414-101
20AlavesAlaves6006110-90
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