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Barcelona wrap up 2023 with a friendly clash against Mexican side Club America on December 21 ahead of the incoming La Liga mid-season break.

Xavi Hernandez's team are battling to keep their league title defence hopes alive in the second half of the campaign after a mixed run of results in recent weeks.

The Catalans are also facing a busy January schedule, including Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercopa action, alongside four league matches.

What time does Barcelona vs Club America kick off?

This friendly match takes place at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, USA and kicks off on Thursday, December 21 at 8:00 p.m. local time.

Why are Barcelona playing a USA friendly vs Club America?

The primary reason for Barcelona's seemingly odd decision to play a mid-season friendly on another continent is based on finances with the club looking to bolster its improving fiscal picture following years of mismanagement.

As per reports from Spanish outlet Diario AS, Barcelona are expected to pick up an estimated €5m ($5.45m) from the game, with a percentage of that fee being donated to a charitable fund set up to help the recovery effort in Mexico following Hurricane Otis in November.

The trip mirrors Barcelona's flight to Japan in June, where Xavi and his players took on J League side Vissel Kobe less than two days after winning the La Liga title, as part of another money-making move by the club.

Barcelona vs Club America lineups, team news

Xavi has indicated he will take the strongest possible squad to the USA, but he will be missing Pedri, Gavi, Marcos Alonso and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen through injury.

The match will also give some of his younger stars an opportunity to feature with Marc Guiu and Fermin Lopez both set to travel.

Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 13. Inaki Pena — 20. Sergi Roberto, 15. Andreas Christensen, 23. Jules Kounde, 3. Alejandro Balde — 18. Oriol Romeu, 30. Marc Casado, 21. Frenkie de Jong — 38. Marc Guiu, 7. Ferran Torres, 32. Fermin Lopez.

Club America head into this match during their own domestic offseason after clinching the Liga MX title earlier this month. The squad includes a majority Mexican core captained by striker Henry Martin with former Barcelona player Jonathan dos Santos in midfield.

Club America predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Luis Malagón — 14. Miguel Layún, 31. Igor Lichnovsky, 4. Sebastián Cáceres, 2. Luis Fuentes — 6. Jonathan dos Santos, 8. Álvaro Fidalgo — 17. Alejandro Zendejas, 10. Diego Valdés Contreras, 33. Julián Quiñones — 21. Henry Martin.

Barcelona vs Club America prediction

Barcelona are coming into this game under pressure with Xavi's team playing catch up to Girona and Real Madrid in the La Liga title race at the end of 2023. Club America will be buoyed by their recent title win, and the apathy surrounding Barcelona's trip to the USA will not be a motivator, and they could struggle in Dallas.

Prediction: Barcelona 1-2 Club America