Barcelona make the long trip to Seville in Andalusia on Sunday where they will square off against Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín Stadium on Matchday 23 of La Liga Santander. The Cules are placed second in the points table and will have to work hard for the three points against a seventh-placed Real Betis side.
Ronald Koeman will be missing out on several players on Sunday in the form of Gerard Pique, Moussa Wague, Ansu Fati and Philippe Coutinho, who are all out injured. Sergi Roberto, who had recently returned from a long injury layoff has returned to the medical bench once again with a suspected muscle injury. Here’s how Barcelona are expected to take to the field against Betis on Sunday.
Barcelona Predicted Line-Up Against Real Betis
Barcelona Predicted Line-Up Against Real Betis
Defence
Marc Andre Ter Stegen will take command in goal and would want to make amends for the three goals he conceded midweek against Granada in the Copa del Rey tie. Sergino Dest will occupy the right-back slot after Sergi Roberto hobbled off with a knock midweek. Ronald Araujo will be rewarded for his commendable performances in recent matches with another start in the heart of Barcelona’s defence.
Clement Lenglet will replace Samuel Umtiti in the back-line, whose days at the Camp Nou seem numbered post the horror show at the Los Cármenes Stadium. Jordi Alba will start at the left-back position.
Midfield
Sergio Busquets will make a return to the side after the completion of his one-match suspension. The veteran midfielder will want to keep things simple and sweet at the Benito Villamarín Stadium which has turned out to be a tricky venue for the Catalan giants in the past.
Frenkie de Jong will start to the right of Busquets. The Dutchman has been in some final form off late and will want to see his side return to Barcelona with all the three points in the bag. Pedri will occupy the last place in midfield on the left-hand side of Busquets with Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi just ahead of him. Miralem Pjanic and Riqui Puig will make up the numbers on the bench for Barcelona.
Attack
Ousmane Dembele will replace Fransico Trincao in the starting eleven and start on the right-hand side. The attacker’s burst of pace down the right flank could be used to exploit and stretch open the Betis defence. Lionel Messi will lead the Barcelona attack line. The Argentine was extremely unlucky against Granada and will want to make up for the lost chances.
Antoine Griezmann will start to the left of Lionel Messi. The trio of Alba, Messi and Griezmann were an absolute joy to watch for the spectators, and they will certainly look to stir trouble down the left-hand side. Martin Braithwaite could feature later in the tie off the substitutes bench.
Barcelona Predicted Line-Up Against Real Betis
