Predicted Teams Barcelona-Real Betis: Changes after Supercup win as Betis arrive without key player

There has been little time to rest or celebrate their emphatic victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercup final for Barcelona, as they return to action at 21:00 CEST at Montjuic. In town are Real Betis, who suffered a damaging defeat to Real Valladolid over the weekend.

Hansi Flick will have to evaluate the fitness of his players, but MD believe that beyond the enforced changes, the German coach will not rotate heavily. Inaki Pena will come in for the suspended Wojciech Szczesny, and Ronald Araujo will retain his spot after replacing Inigo Martinez in the Supercup final. Their one other predicted change for the Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash is Frenkie de Jong, who could replace Pedri.

Sport believe that Barcelona will make more widespread changes. They believe Gerard Martin could be in the backline for Alejandro Balde, and Eric Garcia might get the not instead of de Jong. Barcelona left Ansu Fati out of their squad as a healthy scratch, but are without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Martinez, Andreas Christensen and Marc Bernal as well.

Real Betis have major injury issues of their own, as Giovani Lo Celso was ruled out earlier this week. He joins Chimy Avila, William Carvalho, Marc Roca and Hector Bellerin on the sidelines. Fran Vieites will continue in goal after Rui Silva is departed, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side more or less picks itself after that.

Isco will be in charge of directing matters, with Vitor Roque making his first return to Barcelona since leaving last summer on loan. Pablo Fornals, Natan, Juanmi and Cedric Bakambu will be his primary options off the bench.