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Predicted Barcelona starting line-up for the Clasico against Real Madrid

By Ernesto Hernandez

Barcelona's players take part in a training session at the Joan Gamper training ground in Sant Joan Despi in the outskirts of Barcelona on February 29, 2020 on the eve of the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. (Photo by PAU BARRENA / AFP) (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona's players take part in a training session at the Joan Gamper training ground in Sant Joan Despi in the outskirts of Barcelona on February 29, 2020 on the eve of the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. (Photo by PAU BARRENA / AFP) (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images) /
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 22: Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Eibar at the Camp Nou on February 22, 2020 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 22: Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Eibar at the Camp Nou on February 22, 2020 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Quique Setién seems to have settled on two-thirds of his starting midfield. If healthy, Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong are the first two names on his list. The problem comes when picking out that third midfielder.

The favorite to take that third spot is Arthur Melo. The Brazilian has had an irregular season missing quite a bit of time with a pubis injury. However, if the plan is to keep possession and try to establish control, then he would be the best bet alongside the two previously mentioned.

This is all assuming they go with a 4-3-3 and not a 4-4-2. If they choose the latter, then Arturo Vidal could also feature leaving Ivan Rakitic out of the equation.

Rakitic was another player who struggled against Napoli and at this point is looking like a depth player. If he does feature, it will probably be late in the game to add some defensive stability if Barcelona find themselves in the lead.

The biggest difference between the upcoming game and the one at the Camp Nou is that Sergio Busquets is available. He did not feature in their last encounter remaining on the bench the entirety of the game.

They struggled playing out from the back last time with him not around so the hope is they’ll be better at this time and have De Jong and Arthur alongside him who are also very capable in both recovery and passing.

Expected midfield:

Midifielder (right): Frenkie de Jong
Central midfielder: Sergio Busquets
Midifielder (left): Arthur Melo

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