Preview: Barcelona vs Malaga

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Saturday’s encounter at Camp Nou sees La Liga leaders Barcelona take on basement boys Malaga.

Barca go into Week 9 four points clear of second-placed Valencia, but they host Malaga without Jordi Alba, Rafinha and Ousmane Dembele, all of whom remain on the treatment table.

Furthermore, Arda Turan, Aleix Vidal and Thomas Vermaelen have been overlooked on technical grounds.

Malaga, meanwhile, have lost midfield generals Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Jose Recio to injury and suspension respectively, while Federico Ricca and Diego Gonzalez are sidelined.

Gonzalez is the Andalusians ’biggest loss as it leaves them light in central defence, meaning full-back Miguel Torres may be pushed infield.

Michel Gonzalez’s side are still without a victory this season, but they have won two and drawn one of their last six meetings with the Blaugrana.

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Moreover, they were the only team that Barca failed to beat in the League last season.

Barcelona (probable): Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Digne; Rakitic, Busquets, Denis; Messi, Suarez, Deulofeu

Injuries/suspensions: Alba, Rafinha, Dembele (I)

Malaga (probable): Andres Prieto; Rosales, Luis Hernandez, Baysse, Miguel Torres, Juankar; Juanpi, Rolon, Adrian, Mula; Rolan

Injuries/suspensions: Kuzmanovic, Ricca, Diego Gonzalez (I) Recio (S)

Referee: Gonzalez Fuertes

Form guide: Barca – 1st (D W W W W) Malaga – 20th (L L D L L)

Previous meeting: Malaga 2-0 Barca
Venue: La Rosaleda

Kick-off time: 19:45 BST/20:45 local time

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