A thrilling clash is on the horizon in LaLiga EA Sports as Sevilla visits Montjuic, with FC Barcelona aiming to maintain their top spot in the standings. 

This upcoming fixture is part of a challenging week for the Catalan side, with a critical Champions League match against Bayern Munich and the much-anticipated El Clásico against Real Madrid next on the agenda. Amidst the tension, Lamine Yamal's fitness has become a major concern after the young star returned from international duty with Spain nursing an injury.

Yamal was substituted in the 90th minute of Spain's match against Denmark, visibly limping off the field. The intense physical play and accumulation of matches appear to have taken their toll on the teenager, prompting Luis de la Fuente, Spain's head coach, to release him back to his club for further assessment.

Following a medical evaluation at Barcelona, the club issued a statement: "Tests conducted this morning on Lamine Yamal have confirmed a hamstring strain in his left leg. His return to training will depend on his progress."

Will He Start Against Sevilla?

Despite his inclusion in the squad, Barcelona's head coach, Hansi Flick, is expected to be cautious with Yamal, given the club's packed schedule. With crucial matches ahead, including a high-stakes Champions League tie against Bayern and El Clásico on the horizon, Yamal may be rested for the Sevilla game, with Pau Víctor likely to take his place in the starting lineup.

While Yamal's fitness remains a key talking point, Barcelona is also monitoring the status of other players. Gavi is expected to return to the squad, and there are hopes that Fermín López and Dani Olmo could feature as well. However, the team will still be missing several key figures, including goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defender Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Ferran Torres, and Ronald Araújo, all of whom remain sidelined with injuries.

Sevilla's Squad and Key Absences

Sevilla faces its own challenges heading into this fixture. Saúl is confirmed to be unavailable, while there are doubts over Sow’s fitness. Additionally, Nianzou will miss the match due to suspension, leaving the Andalusian side with a few gaps to fill in their lineup.

Projected Barcelona Lineup vs. Sevilla

Iñaki Peña; Jules Koundé, Iñigo Martínez, Cubarsí, Alejandro Balde; Eric García, Marc Casadó, Pedri; Pau Víctor, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski.

As Barcelona braces for a crucial week in their season, the team's depth will be tested. Whether Lamine Yamal plays or not, the Blaugrana will need all hands on deck to navigate these challenging fixtures and keep their momentum going in both domestic and European competitions.