MX23RW : Friday, March 28 10:03:58| >> :60:146:146:
[monks data]
Attendance: 79,160
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 2
Aug 25, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Real Betis logo

5-2

Griezmann (41', 50'), Perez (56'), Alba (60'), Vidal (77')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Fekir (15'), Moron (79')

How Barcelona could line up against Real Betis

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up in Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Betis.

Lionel Messi should be available for Barcelona this weekend as the Spanish champions look to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao on the opening night of the 2019-20 La Liga campaign.

Messi missed out last week with a calf problem, and his absence proved to be damaging for the Catalan giants as Artiz Aduriz came up with a late winner for the home team.

Barca will be looking to put the defeat behind them at home to Real Betis on Sunday night, with the champions wary of falling behind the likes of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the early stages of the campaign.

That said, Betis actually recorded a 4-3 victory in the corresponding match at Camp Nou last term.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Ernesto Valverde's side could line up for their second league match of the new campaign.


POSS BAR XI vs. BET

Out: Luis Suarez (calf), Ousmane Dembele (hamstring), Neto (hand)

Luis Suarez picked up a calf problem during the defeat at Bilbao last weekend, while Dembele is facing five weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring issue, leaving Valverde short in the final third of the field.

That said, aside from those two and second-choice goalkeeper Neto, Barca have a strong squad available.

As mentioned, Messi is expected to return to the XI having trained earlier this week. The Argentine will line up alongside Antoine Griezmann in the final third, with Rafinha also potentially given the nod in attack.

Further back, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic could both come into the team having started on the bench against Bilbao, with Frenkie de Jong also featuring in the middle of the park.

Perhaps the only other major selection decision will come at right-back where Valverde must choose between Nelson Semedo and Sergi Roberto, with the former just being tipped to get the nod.

ID:368984: cacheID:368984:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4244:
Written by
Matt Law
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Lionel Messi reacts as Valencia score their second in the Copa del Rey final on May 25, 2019
Read Next:
How Barcelona could line up against Bilbao
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona28203578275163
2Real Madrid28186459273260
3Atletico MadridAtletico28168446222456
4Athletic Bilbao281410446242252
5Villarreal27128749381144
6Real BetisBetis2812883835344
7Mallorca28117102834-640
8Celta Vigo28116114141039
9Rayo Vallecano2891093131037
10Getafe2899102523236
11Sevilla2899103237-536
12Real Sociedad28105132530-535
13GironaGirona2897123641-534
14Osasuna2871293342-933
15Espanyol2777132639-1328
16Valencia28610123146-1528
17AlavesAlaves2869133242-1027
18Leganes2869132643-1727
19Las PalmasLas Palmas2867153247-1525
20Real ValladolidValladolid2844201863-4516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!