How Barcelona Will Line Up Against Real Betis

Despite languishing near the foot of the La Liga table, Pepe Mel's Real Betis side are likely to provide a stern test of Barcelona's credentials as the latter visit the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Sunday.

The Andalusians have already claimed the scalps of Valencia and high flyers Villarreal at home, although the recent defeat by newcomers Elche gave Mel much to ponder, per Football Espana: 

"

We have to grit our teeth, work harder and seek solutions with all the effort that we can.

We cannot give up and think that everything is going to be bad. That aura affects the players. People cannot reproach the players.

I have to focus on what I can fix, in the defensive freshness that we have lost. In addition, we still have issues in front of goal. If one is linked with the other, it explains today’s defeat.

Elche have not won by strength. Betis has lost because we have been less intense.

"

It's that intensity that the manager will be looking to recover in time for Barca's visit to a ground that hasn't held too many happy memories for them in the recent past.

Who can forget the stunning way in which Barca were dispatched 3-1 in the 2010 Copa Del Rey, by a then Segunda-based Betis for example.

Barcelona's defence will be hoping that the Verdiblancos stuttering form in front of goal continues. Ruben Castro's back injury has certainly had a marked effect on their success in an attacking sense, Jorge Malina top scoring with just four (per Eurorivals.net) so far this season.

According to Inside Spanish Football, it could be some while before Castro returns to the fold, so Molina, Juanfran and the like need to start weighing in with their fair share of goals to ensure that their 2013/14 campaign isn't derailed before Christmas.

Equally Joan Verdu and Xavi Torres will have their work cut out protecting a leaky defence against the top scorers in the league. Barca's 34 goals are at an average of almost three per game, and there is an incessant regularity to the Catalans' forward play that only Osasuna have found an answer to so far this term.

Continuing with the theme we have come to expect, Tata Martino is likely to give some of those that gave their all against AC Milan a rest in this one, but not at the expense of a weakening of his side.

Lionel Messi has admitted to Sport.es (h/t Cameron Kilmister, Goal.com) that he is still not functioning at 100 percent after his injury.

This could be the perfect time to rest the Argentine given that it comes at the beginning of an international break and allows Messi to fully recharge his batteries in time for the games against Granada in La Liga and Ajax in the Champions League.

Resting Messi gives Martino the option to move Neymar back into the central role where he performed so well against Celtic and Real Valladolid. 

In so doing it also affords the manager the opportunity to play two of Alexis Sanchez/Pedro Rodriguez/Cristian Tello in the wide areas.

With Martino tending to plump for in-form players, and not just picking on reputation alone, the manager once again has a tricky decision to make between option for Cesc Fabregas or Andres Iniesta in the attacking midfield role, both of whom are playing themselves into some decent form. 

Expect Xavi Hernandez to be given some more down time, and to finally see the introduction of the effervescent Sergi Roberto. The youngster has been patiently awaiting his chance to add to the paltry six appearances he's made since debut in 2010.

His youthful exuberance, quality of pass and general all-round excellence should see him sit comfortably in the central midfield area.

In Roberto, Barca have a true box-to-box midfield dynamo and this game should mark his gradual introduction to the team and a coming of age at the club he has served since 14 years-of-age.

Alex Song should get the nod over Sergio Busquets in the defensive midfield slot, as Martino sets about continuing with the happy medium of rotation which has absolutely worked for him thus far—eleven league wins and a draw speak volumes. 

Carles Puyol will enjoy the comforts of a welcoming habitat.

The central defensive abode has missed the man of the house, who returns to galvanise the squad as a whole, and also to chaperone the emerging Marc Bartra. In turn, Gerard Pique begins a period of reflection over his sub-standard contributions for Catalonia's finest.

Dani Alves cannot be moved from his right sided position and the 33-year-old Nacho will certainly do well containing the Brazilian's raiding down that side of the pitch.

Jordi Alba will be rested until after the internationals, so Adriano Correia will continue to deputise on the left after recovering from his own injury. Victor Valdes, of course, completes the line-up.

Martino will be looking to go into the break in the best possible way and silence the Beticos as quickly as possible in what is sure to be a raucous and heated atmosphere.