Espanyol v Barcelona: Probable Starting Line Ups – Arda Turan expected to start

Man United team news Arda Turan

Barcelona take on cross-city rivals Espanyol in the Spanish Cup Last 16 second-leg tie needing to avoid losing by three goals to secure a place in the next round.

The reigning La Liga champions won the first-leg 4-1 at the Camp Nou with both Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal making their debut after a six-month wait due to the FIFA transfer ban that was lifted last week.

Turan started for Barcelona last Wednesday and has been some what of a good luck charm for the team – in particular Lionel Messi who has five goals in his last two games with the bearded winger starting.

Barcelona have won both games in which Turan has featured in the starting XI and scored eight goals in the process with the Turkish international star also managing to provide his first assist in the 4-0 win over Granada in his first La Liga game of the season.

Luis Enrique will be without Luis Suarez and considering Barcelona are practically through he may opt to rotate his side – although considering it is a derby he may just scrap that idea. Munir is likely to replace the Uruguayan and feature alongside Messi and Neymar.

Turan is still building up his match fitness and has made a great start to his Barcelona career so may get his third consecutive start alongside Iniesta and Busquets – the same midfield trio that beat Espanyol last week.

Espanyol v Barcelona

Kick-Off: 20:00

Stadium: Estadi Cornellà-El Prat

Barcelona (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Alves, Bartra, Mathieu, Adriano; Arda, Busquets, Iniesta; Munir, Messi, Neymar

Manager: Luis Enrique

Espanyol (4-2-3-1): Pau Lopez; Javi Lopez, Alvaro, Roco, Alvarez; Jordan, Abraham; Asensio, Salva Sevilla, Gerard; Caicedo

Manager: Constantin Gâlcă

See More
Barcelona Player Profile: Arda Turan – The Bearded Genius
Three reasons Arda Turan could be a success at Barcelona