Barcelona have started the season flawlessly, registering five wins from five games. Despite starting strong under Hansi Flick, both teams have scored in four of their five games – only Real Valladolid failed to score against Barcelona, in a game which finished 7-0. Barcelona counter-press intensely under Hansi Flick, although that can lead them a bit exposed in transition at times.

Monaco have also been in fine form to start the season, currently unbeaten in Ligue 1 with a record of three wins and one draw. They have been fluid going forward, most recently amassing 3.49 xG against Auxerre, creating eight big chances. Having got on the score sheet in all four games so far, Monaco will look to continue that run at home.

A massive beneficiary of the Hansi Flick system has been Raphinha, who was shifted into an attacking midfielder role for the first three games of the season. He managed a shot on target in two of those games, accumulating nine shots in total.

Dani Olmo was given his first start of the season against Real Valladolid, which moved Raphinha into a left wing role, however a return to a more central position is in store for the Brazilian, as Olmo has picked up an injury. Despite featuring sporadically under Xavi, Raphinha has played the full 90 minutes in all five games so far this season.

In that time, he registered a shot on target in three of those, notably scoring a hat-trick recently against Real Valladolid.

Alejandro Balde has drawn ten fouls in the league so far this season – only Lamine Yamal has been fouled more for Barcelona. Balde is afforded a lot of freedom under Hansi Flick, expected to press high and overlap, which sees him heavily involved in open play, contesting duels consistently.

Balde has drawn at least one foul in three out of four La Liga games so far, only failing against Valencia in the first league game, but he was subbed after 64 minutes. Since then, he has drawn at least two fouls in all three league games, including five fouls drawn in the previous game against Girona. He completed the full 90 in all three of these fixtures.

He should find duels with Maghnes Akliouche, who has made three fouls in his last two games for Monaco.

Last season, Denis Zakaria had an average of 1.32 fouls per game, operating as a defensive midfielder for Monaco.

This season, he has made three fouls in four games, committing a foul in two out of four Ligue 1 matches. Zakaria made two fouls in his most recent game against Auxerre. However, Barcelona will present the toughest challenge for the Swiss international so far, as he will likely find duels against the likes of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

Barcelona have forced their opponents into at least ten fouls in every La Liga match this campaign, averaging 13.2 fouls drawn per game. In the previous game against Girona, defensive midfielders Ivan Martin and Jhon Solis both committed an infringement.

Lamine Yamal has been one of the standout performers in La Liga so far, already registering four assists and three goals in just five games. He has emerged as one of the key players under Hansi Flick, averaging 89 minutes per game.

Lamine Yamal kept up that impressive form in the recent international break, registering an assist against Switzerland despite playing just 45 minutes. In the game prior against Serbia, Spain failed to score, but Yamal saw a lot of the ball, and created one big chance from three key passes. In addition, he had four shots.

Given that he has landed this selection in all five games so far, odds of 1.91 look great value here. Yamal comes into this game off the back of a brace against Girona, so should be full of confidence.

After a successful previous campaign which saw him score seven goals for Monaco, Maghnes Akliouche represented France at the recent Summer Olympics, a testament to his quality.

He notably got on the scoresheet in the final, and managed two shots against Spain. In the semi-final, he almost completed the full game, including extra-time, in which time he accumulated five shots from a central midfield role.

He has operated as a right-winger this season for Monaco, registering seven shots in three games. He tends to cut on to his stronger left foot, which makes him a target for shots.

He has an average of 2.54 shots per 90 in Ligue 1 this season, and finished the Summer Olympics with 2.4 shots per 90.

Nineteen-year-old Eliesse Ben Seghir has emerged as a starter in the Monaco eleven this season, featuring on the left wing.

In four Ligue 1 games, Ben Seghir has been fouled 14 times, with at least two fouls drawn in every game. He has currently drawn the most fouls of all players in the French top flight, despite being yet to complete a full 90 minute spell.

Monaco will likely see less of the ball than average in this game, which makes Ben Seghir crucial to help with ball progression. His ability to carry from deep and incite duels should lead to him drawing fouls.

Barcelona tend to bias attacks down the right flank with Lamine Yamal and Jules Kounde, which should lead to heavy involvement for Ben Seghir.

Lamine Yamal has made four fouls in five La Liga games this season, and should find duels against Ben Seghir as the Moroccan contributes defensively.

Yamal can have the tendency to be overly aggressive in his press, and drop deeper to aid his fullback.

Last season in the Champions League, Yamal made an average of 1.08 fouls per 90, with at least one foul landing in four out of five games when he played at least 80 minutes.

Yamal has completed the full 90 in each of his last four games under Hansi Flick, which should be in order once more here. Monaco will provide perhaps the toughest test of the season for Barcelona, so Yamal should have his fair share of defensive responsibility.