The back-to-back champions of La Liga return to action this weekend as Barcelona look to make history as the first club in a 20-team Spanish top-flight season to have a perfect home record when they welcome Real Betis to Camp Nou.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle:
Defense
This will be the farewell game to Camp Nou this season and the team will be motivated to make history, so expect a very strong lineup from Flick in this one.
In fact, we are expecting the exact same
team that started El Clásico but with just one change. That change won’t be at the back, however, as we think Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín and João Cancelo will form the same back four that started last week.
Midfield
Flick left Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López off the squad for the trip to Alavés in midweek and it seems as though De Jong will be handled very carefully as he builds up his fitness for the World Cup, so we think the Dutchman will start this one on the bench and Gavi and Pedri will reunite in the double pivot after being rested against Alavés, with Dani Olmo likely keeping his spot in the number 10 position.
Attack
Raphinha missed the midweek trip to Alavés through suspension and is also being carefully managed with the World Cup in mind, so we think the Brazilian will begin this one on the bench with Fermín taking his spot on the left wing and Marcus Rashford moving back to the right side. Robert Lewandowski is expected to play his last home game for Barça on Sunday, so we think he’ll start this one ahead of Ferran Torres up front.
Possible XI: Joan; Eric, Cubarsí, Martín, Cancelo; Gavi, Pedri; Rashford, Olmo, Fermín; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Real Betis? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
