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Real Betis vs Barcelona: Predicted starting XI for a must win game

By Ernesto Hernandez

BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Team of FC Barcelona pose for a photo during the Copa del Rey quarter final match between Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona at Estadio de San Mames on February 06, 2020 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Team of FC Barcelona pose for a photo during the Copa del Rey quarter final match between Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona at Estadio de San Mames on February 06, 2020 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /
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Quique Setién will need to mix-and-match for Barcelona’s away match against Real Betis.

The fixtures do not get easier for Barcelona. Following a tough loss to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey, they now face a tough away test against Real Betis in the Benito Villamarín. To make matters worse Setién is dealing with a thin squad due to both injuries and suspensions.

On defense, the Catalans will be without Gerard Pique after picking up a yellow card in their last league game. His availability might have been in question regardless after needing to come out against Athletic due to injury.

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In midfield, Arturo Vidal is still a question mark as he is also dealing with an injury. He was not included against Levante but was on the bench last time out.

This will be a special game as both Quique Setién and Junior Firpo return to face their former club.

On the Real Betis side, Carles Aleña is likely to feature and will set out to prove that they made a mistake in not playing him more.

Expected Starting XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
Right-back: Nelson Semedo
Centre-back (right): Samuel Umtiti
Centre-back (left): Clement Lenglet
Left-back: Jordi Alba
Midfielder (right): Ivan Rakitic
Central midfielder: Sergio Busquets
Midfielder (left): Frenkie de Jong
Right winger: Lionel Messi
Centre-forward: Antoine Griezmann
Left-winger: Ansu Fati

Expect Umtiti to take the place of the suspended Pique and for Griezmann to start after only coming on in the second-half of the Athletic match. Other than that, the line-up looks about set given what the manager has at his disposal.

If there is any doubts it is in midfield. Depending on Vidal’s availability, expect Riqui Puig to make the matchday squad. Setién may also decide to play Arthur Melo in place of Rakitic and move De Jong to the right.

This is as close to a must-win game for Barcelona if they want to keep their hopes in La Liga alive. They are already three points back of Real Madrid and cannot afford to fall further behind. The problem is their struggles on the road this season are well-documented.

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What they do have going for them is they played their best game under Setién in their loss to Athletic. For now, all they can do is build upon that and hope that their finishing is better this time around.

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