Barcelona look to continue their history-making perfect start to the season and make it nine wins out of nine in La Liga as the leaders travel to Seville to face Real Betis in a huge away test.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Saturday’s battle:
Defense
Barça dominated the second half against Galatasaray and were able to rest and slow down the pace in the final half-hour as the Catalans manage themselves amid a crucial stretch of games.
Flick will continue to use the depth available
to him and will certainly have next week’s monster clashes with PSG and Real Madrid on his mind, so we think the coach could mix things up for this one while still picking a strong side.
Jules Kounde and Xavi Espart are expected to rotate into the team at the full-back spots to make sure Eric Garcia and João Cancelo are fully fit for the next two games, but Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín should be good to go from the start at center-back.
Midfield
Rodri has quickly and predictably became a massive part of the team and could begin this one on the bench to ensure he’s 100% for next week, so we think Marc Bernal will come into the lineup at the pivot position alongside Pedri, with Dani Olmo starting ahead of Fermín López who will undoubtedly play a big part in the upcoming two matches.
Attack
Raphinha is expected back in the squad but the captain is unlikely to start and may not be involved at all, so the striker spot is up for grabs once again. Gabriel Jesus is the favorite to occupy that role this weekend, with Lamine Yamal on the right wing as usual and Karim Adeyemi replacing Anthony Gordon on the left.
Possible XI: Joan; Kounde, Cubarsí, Martín, Espart; Olmo, Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Jesus, Adeyemi (4-3-3)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Real Betis? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
