Barcelona v Girona preview: Ernesto Valverde hints at resting Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez

Saturday 24 February 2018 08:07, UK

Barcelona return to La Liga action on Saturday night as they host Girona hoping to solidify their position as leaders in the race to regain the Spanish title.

Ernesto Valverde's men will look to take another step towards clinching the championship in an all-Catalan clash at the Nou Camp, live on Sky Sports Football (kick off 7.45pm).

The Barca head coach suggested both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez could be handed a rest but he will field a strong side as he looks to consolidate top spot - seven points clear of Atletico Madrid, who they host next Sunday.

When asked if Messi and Suarez would be rested, he said: "It's a possibility, but I'm not going to unveil it. Girona are one of the surprises of La Liga. The intensity they play with means they are close to a place in Europe.

"They handle themselves very well in attack and have players to create problems. They come to give the surprise and have nothing to lose."

Valverde revealed at his press conference on Friday Ousmane Dembele is ready to return to the starting line-up after being an unused substitute in the win over Eibar last weekend.

He added: "We are playing well and we are coming to a point in which the games are more and more decisive for everyone.

"We'll see how (Gerard) Piqué is. There are nine points at stake so rotation is important. The changes will be for our benefit and we are not looking at Atlético. What we want is to reach that game with our current advantage."

Girona are having a fine maiden season in La Liga, currently in eighth place with 34 points, having won nine and drawn seven of their 24 matches.

Pablo Machin's side have already shown their capabilities against the top sides, beating Real Madrid at home whilst drawing twice against Atletico Madrid, but they went down 3-0 to Barca at Montilivi earlier this campaign.

Team news

Nelson Semedo is available for selection after missing the 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Champions League through suspension.

Defender Thomas Vermaelen is also available having been an unused substitute in the draw at Stamford Bridge and Valverde has a fully fit squad to select from at the Nou Camp.

The Belgian could be called upon in the centre of defence in order to hand Gerard Pique a rest ahead of an intense period of fixtures in March.

Girona head for their first La Liga clash at the home of Barcelona without defender Jose Raymundo Luis Suarez, while left-back Johan Mojica is doubtful.

Opta stats

The reverse fixture this season was the first meeting between these two teams in La Liga, with Barcelona winning 3-0 at Montivili.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their 19 Catalonian league derbies played since February 21 2009 (1-2 at Camp Nou against Espanyol, W15 D4 since).
Barcelona (P31 W26 D5) have equaled their best unbeaten run in their La Liga history (P31 W27 D4 under Pep Guardiola in April 2011).
After six away unbeaten games in La Liga (W3 D3), Girona have suffered back-to-back defeats on the road. They have never lost three consecutive away games in the top flight.
Only one of Barcelona's last 13 goals in La Liga was scored in the first half of their games, (Luis Suarez versus Eibar).
Girona have conceded a league-high 20 per cent of their goals in the first 15 minutes this season (6/30).
Of the current La Liga teams, Girona are the only team Lionel Messi is yet to score against.