Barcelona vs Levante preview: Barcelona have been warned

After thrashing Leganes in the best game since Quique Setien arrived, Barcelona come into the match with Levante in LaLiga Santander feeling euphoric, but they know they can't afford any more slip-ups.

Real Madrid won the Madrid derby on Saturday and after the Catalans' defeat against Valencia last time out, first place is in the hands of Zinedine Zidane and Los Blancos have opened up a six-point gap before Barcelona play.

At the Camp Nou, they can't allow that difference to extend any further and they know that Levante are capable of beating them, as they did earlier this season.

It was on November 2, when Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Levante scored three goals in eight minutes to turn the match on its head to secure a win at home against Barcelona, much like Athletic Club and Granada had beforehand.

On Sunday, the game takes place at the Camp Nou, where Barcelona have won nine games out of 10 with one draw, a 0-0 against Real Madrid, the only match they have failed to score in.

Changes

One of the doubts is about what setup Setien will opt for: with the 4-3-3 used in the Copa del Rey or if he will again try his 3-5-2 shape.

The coach has said that he won't rule out any system and he will keep adapting according to the opponent and his squad, though in any case Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann will start as both are enjoying a resurgence in form.

The Copa del Rey helped the Catalan side to get their good feeling back after the defeat to Valencia and now they will want to get back to winning ways in LaLiga Santander, with Real Madrid comfortably ahead of them in the table.

Antidepressant

As happened earlier on this season, Levante come into this clash with Barcelona in a crisis of poor results and a lack of confidence.

Without a win this year in a January to forget, Paco Lopez's good results against Setien, such as two thrashings over Real Betis last season, and the 3-1 win against Barcelona earlier this campaign, will give them hope.

Self-reflection is key and Levante have nothing to lose against Barcelona and thus Lopez is deciding between two or three central defenders after the success of the five-man defence against Osasuna.

Bruno Gonzalez replaced Erick Cabaco on deadline day but will not feature in the squad, neither will Nemanja Radoja as he struggles with discomfort, but Enis Bardhi, who scored twice in the historic 5-1 win two seasons ago, is available.