Barcelona set for Sevilla changes as Hamza Abdelkarim faces place on bench

Barcelona are expected to make several changes for Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with Wojciech Szczesny set to replace the injured Joan Garcia in goal.

Hansi Flick’s side have made a perfect start to the campaign, winning all six of their opening matches to collect 18 points. They travel to Sevilla after an impressive opening run, with their attacking performances a particular feature of their form.

Szczesny, who is 36, is expected to start because Joan Garcia is recovering from a right knee injury. Flick stopped short of confirming the Poland international’s selection during his news conference on Friday, but his comments after Wednesday’s match against Racing Santander pointed strongly towards Szczesny being used against Sevilla.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Flick is also preparing a number of further alterations to his starting XI. The Barcelona manager confirmed one of those changes by saying Pau Cubarsi would be among the players selected to begin the match.

Xavi Espart, Fermin Lopez and Anthony Gordon are also in line to start after being rested for the previous round of fixtures. Their inclusion would give Barcelona a different look in midfield and attack.

Joao Cancelo, Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi could drop to the substitutes’ bench. Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim is also expected to be among the replacements rather than in the starting lineup.

Eric Garcia, Rodri, Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are all considered likely starters by Flick. The main uncertainty is at centre-back, where Gerard Martin and Andreas Christensen are competing to partner Cubarsi.

A possible Barcelona line-up is: Szczesny; Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Xavi Espart; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Anthony Gordon; and Raphinha.

Sevilla will be without Belgian striker Lucas Stassin, who has a muscular injury, while Ruben Vargas remains unavailable. However, defender Arona Sangante has recovered from an ankle sprain and could return to contention.

Kike Salas is also available despite suffering a problem to his right leg during Sevilla’s match at Riazor. The centre-back did not take part in Thursday’s training session, but that absence has not ruled him out of Saturday’s fixture.

The match forms part of the seventh round of La Liga, with Barcelona attempting to maintain their 100% record while Sevilla prepare to face the competition’s early leaders.