After returning to winning ways in La Liga with a resounding 5-1 victory over RCD Mallorca earlier in the week, FC Barcelona will be hoping to carry the momentum forward when they face off against Real Betis later today.
Even though Manuel Pellegrini’s side have blown a bit hot and cold this season, a trip to Benito Villamarin is never easy and Barça will likely have to fight a hard battle to return home with all three points.
Meanwhile, the fact that Borussia Dortmund await in the UEFA Champions League in a few days will also likely play on manager Hansi Flick’s mind when he is putting out his team on the pitch today afternoon.
Barcelona have not recovered Ronald Araujo yet, with his return likely to happen next week against Leganes. Meanwhile, Ansu Fati, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are all unavailable as well.
With an excellent opportunity to stretch their lead in the La Liga table to seven points, here’s how the Blaugrana could line up later today against Los Verdiblancos.
Defence
It has been two months since Wojciech Szczesny joined Barcelona as an emergency signing following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s serious injury. However, the Pole is yet to make his debut for the club and the wait will continue today as well, as Inaki Pena is set to start in goal again.
Meanwhile, there is unlikely to be any alteration made by the manager in the defensive line, even though the likes of Eric Garcia and Hector Fort are waiting on the sidelines for their chances.
As such, we are likely to see the rearguard of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde start from the get-go against Real Betis today.
Midfield
Hansi Flick has no shortage of resources when it comes to the midfield department, and as such, there could be a change in the centre of the park, keeping in mind the matches against Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid coming up in the next couple of weeks.
Pedri to make way for Gavi? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Pedri, who has featured in each of Barcelona’s 21 games so far this season, could be benched tonight, much like Flick opted to rest Robert Lewandowski vs Mallorca earlier in the week.
While Frenkie de Jong is an option to start after his impressive cameo in midweek, Gavi is the likely candidate to get the nod, having already started two matches in La Liga since his return from injury.
Meanwhile, Marc Casado is expected to hold on to his spot in the Blaugrana’s double pivot again while Dani Olmo ought to continue as the No. 10, with Pablo Torre likely to come off the bench.
Attack
After getting a well-deserved rest, Robert Lewandowski is all set to return to the starting XI today as Barcelona’s lone centre-forward. Ferran Torres will be the one making way.
Meanwhile, the dynamic duo of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal will continue on the wings for the league leaders and hope to lay waste to the Betis’ defence today.
Pau Victor will likely get another chance off the bench after his goalscoring cameo in midweek.