Olmo, Rashford start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Barcelona can line up against Real Oviedo | OneFootball

FC Barcelona will hope to extend their unbeaten run to six games in La Liga this season, when they take on Real Oviedo tonight at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium.

The Blaugrana are unbeaten in their first five league games, winning four and drawing one, and are second in the standings – five points behind Real Madrid – with a game in hand.

Barcelona players go into the match at Oviedo with added motivation as the squad is keen on winning and dedicating it to their teammate Gavi, who is set to be sidelined for five months after undergoing knee surgery.

Apart from Gavi, the reigning La Liga champions will also be without key duo Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde, who have resumed some training and could return against Real Sociedad at the weekend.

Fermin Lopez is also out of the game after picking up an injury during the final minutes of the last game against Getafe. With some changes expected, here’s how Barcelona could line up against Santi Cazorla & co. tonight.

Defence

Joan Garcia has proven to be an extremely valuable addition since his arrival at Barcelona in the summer and is an undisputed starter between the sticks.

There are likely to be some changes in the defensive unit, though, with Pau Cubarsi expected to return after recovering completely from the knock he sustained against Newcastle United.

The youngster will be partnered by captain Ronald Araujo at the heart of the Barça backline, with Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen making way.

No alterations are expected in the full-back slots, though, with Jules Kounde at right-back and Gerard Martin on the left, where he continues to impress in the absence of Alejandro Balde.

Midfield

A rare start for Casado? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Pedri has been a permanent fixture in the starting lineup for Barcelona this season, and that will not change tonight against Real Oviedo.

Having shockingly finished in the 11th position in the final Ballon d’Or rankings, the Spanish international will be eager to prove a point or two on the pitch.

Marc Casado should get the nod as Pedri’s partner, allowing Frenkie de Jong some rest after he only recently came back from a minor injury. Teenage prodigy Marc Bernal should also get some minutes off the bench.

Dani Olmo finally showed up last weekend against Getafe, starring with a goal and an assist. With Fermin Lopez out injured, the 27-year-old has a chance to reclaim his starting spot in Hansi Flick’s setup as the first-choice No. 10.

Attack

Marcus Rashford should get into the starting lineup again after he was dropped against Getafe for being late to a pre-match briefing.

The England international is starting to come into his own in recent weeks and will want to build on his recent momentum.

With Rashford expected to feature on the left flank, Ferran Torres should move to the centre-forward slot again, meaning Robert Lewandowski drops to the bench again.

On the right wing, with no Lamine Yamal, Raphinha will be the obvious starter again, with Roony Bardghji likely to get some minutes off the bench, depending on how things are going in the game.