How Barcelona could line-up against Betis

10:20am on Saturday 7th November 2020
By Stefan Bienkowski

Barcelona will be hoping to turn their dreadful start to the season around when they host Betis at Camp Nou on Saturday.

With just eight points from six games, Ronald Koeman’s side are currently undergoing Barcelona’s worst start to a season since 2002/03 and could extend their poor form to three winless home games - a feat not achieved since December 2003.

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Manuel Pellegrini’s side have already chalked up two away wins in the league this season, but are by no means an extra threat on the road. In fact, Betis’ form on the road currently stands at a rather dismal 21 defeats in their last 36 away games.

If that doesn’t give Koeman’s side some encouragement, the return of injured players and a form of normality about the starting XI he could be able to put out on Saturday should.

In defence, Barcelona will be happy to see the return of Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the posts after the German international returned to the first-team squad for Barcelona’s midweek win over Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League.

Koeman should also be able to call on French central defender Clement Lenglet to start alongside Gerard Pique, which would in turn allow Frenkie de Jong to move back into midfield.

Ousmane Dembele was given 30 minutes of game time against in midweek, suggesting that the Frenchman may then start against Betis on Saturday but it seems likely that Koeman will stick with Antoine Griezmann ahead of the ever-present Lionel Messi.