Araujo out, €5m player in – Predicted Barcelona starting XI for La Liga clash against Celta Vigo | OneFootball

Up next for FC Barcelona is a massive game in La Liga against Celta Vigo this time around. Both of these teams have already met this season in the league before, but that game ended in a draw. This time around, however, Barcelona will be aiming for a victory and nothing less.

Still at the top of the league table, La Blaugrana will look to extend that lead to seven points if they can manage to win the game. Moreover, if recent reports are to be believed, Hansi Flick aims to field his strongest possible starting eleven for this game.

Here is how Barcelona could line up for this fixture.

Expected Line-up:

Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny

Even though the Polish goalkeeper may no longer be undefeated in 2025, he is still a major asset to the team. His experience speaks for itself, but the occasional blunders are definitely something that he needs to be more careful about.

Right-back: Jules Kounde

Relentless and never exhausted, Jules Kounde has been the epitome of consistency and availability this season. He remains one of Hansi Flick’s most used players in this campaign, and that will likely remain the case in this final stretch of the season.

Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi

The young defender almost always holds his own well, and his dedication to the team’s cause is never in doubt. However, he will need to be sharp in both his defensive actions and offensive actions against Celta Vigo if he starts.

Centre-back: Inigo Martinez

Sorely missed against Borussia Dortmund in the last game, Inigo Martinez will likely now return to the starting eleven. His leadership is a crucial asset for Flick’s team and especially the defensive structure, so having him start should be a massive boost.

Thus, instead of Ronald Araujo, Martinez could step in for this game. The €5 million-rated defender, as per his Transfermarkt valuation, remains Flick’s ideal centre-back partner for Pau Cubarsi.

Left-back: Gerard Martin

With Alejandro Balde still out of the picture, this is Gerard Martin’s moment to shine. While he does not exactly offer the same strengths that the other Spanish left-back does, he has his own traits that could help out the team.

CDM: Frenkie de Jong

It is clear enough to see that Frenkie de Jong needs Pedri alongside him to play his best football. Fortunately for the Dutchman, he may get that privilege against Celta Vigo as both players are expected to start together again.

CDM: Pedri

There is simply no questioning the fact that Pedri makes this Barcelona team as good as it can be when it is at its best. Without him, the structure and fluidity both fall flat and the recent loss against Borussia Dortmund was a great reminder of that.

RAM: Lamine Yamal

Struggled to make too much of an impact against Borussia Dortmund, but he needs to find his best version again as soon as possible. With a complicated schedule and some crucial games coming up, Lamine Yamal will be needed in those fixtures.

CAM: Fermin Lopez

Just like the other offensive Barcelona players against Borussia Dortmund, Fermin Lopez had a poor performance. While he did manage to help Barcelona find the back of the net indirectly, he should have done much better. Against Celta Vigo, however, he could get another opportunity.

Did not have a good time against Borussia Dortmund in his most recent outing, but this is now a chance to turn things around. The Brazilian winger needs to be at his best, and only then would he live up to the expectations that he has created this season.

Still the top scorer in La Liga, this is another golden opportunity for Robert Lewandowski to strengthen his place at the top. When he scores, it always helps the team and that is exactly what is needed from him in every single game.