Ferran, Rashford start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Barcelona can line up against Osasuna | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have an excellent opportunity to stretch their lead at the top of the La Liga standings as they take on a lowly Osasuna side at the Spotify Camp Nou later tonight.

The Blaugrana have opened up a four-point advantage at the top, thanks to solid performances coupled with slip-ups from Real Madrid.

Since the defeat to Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League last month, Hansi Flick & co. have won four in four matches, with the most recent triumph coming against Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this week.

Barcelona go into the contest against Osasuna with almost a clean bill of health, as Dani Olmo and Gavi are the only two players unavailable through injury.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen returned to the squad for the first time this season in the midweek clash, while Gerard Martin has recovered from his illness that caused him to miss training for one day this week.

But there are expected to be some rotations made by Hansi Flick, and here’s how Barcelona are likely to set up against Alessio Lisci’s men later this evening.

Defence

Joan Garcia has been excellent in goal for Barcelona since returning from injury, but he has not kept a clean sheet in the last five games across all competitions – something he will hope to change later today against Osasuna.

As for the defensive unit, while Gerard Martin’s emergence as the left-sided centre-back has been a major positive, the 23-year-old could be rested today.

It should pave the way for Eric Garcia to move back into his natural role at the heart of the defence. He will pair up with Pau Cubarsi, who has become an ever-present in the team at the age of 18.

Jules Kounde, the hero for Barça against Eintracht Frankfurt, ought to continue at right-back, while Alejandro Balde should hold on to his place on the opposite flank.

Midfield

De Jong to return to the XI? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Moving into the middle of the park, Hansi Flick has stuck with the double pivot of Pedri and Eric Garcia in recent matches, which has worked well.

But, with Garcia likely moving into the defensive line for today’s match, Frenkie de Jong, who has lost his place in the lineup since returning from illness, should pair up with Pedri in the centre of the park.

As for the No. 10 role, Fermin Lopez has only recently come back from an injury and the manager could be cautious with the Spaniard, opening the doors for Raphinha to operate in a more central role against Osasuna.

Attack

With the possibility of Raphinha operating as the central attacking midfielder, the left flank becomes open, where Marcus Rashford could step in after starting only once in Barcelona’s last six games.

Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal is a permanent fixture on the right flank for the Blaugrana and will once again have a key role to play.

Up top, Robert Lewandowski could make way for Ferran Torres, who was benched against Eintracht despite scoring a hat-trick in the previous encounter against Real Betis.