Pedri, Yamal start in a 4-2-3-1: How Barcelona can line up against Osasuna

FC Barcelona will be looking for their eighth consecutive win in La Liga tonight when they lock horns with CA Osasuna away at El Sadar.

The Blaugrana are sitting atop the league standings having won each of their seven games thus far, most recently defeating Getafe 1-0.

Hansi Flick & co. already have a four-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid and could stretch the gap to seven points with a victory today, with Los Blancos playing Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

There are no fresh injury issues to contend with for Flick as Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Dani Olmo are the only ones sidelined.

Gavi and Frenkie de Jong have been training for well over a week now, but are not yet fully ready to be considered for selection.

With the game set to kick off in under 12 hours, here is how Flick could set up his team to take on Osasuna and return triumphant from El Sadar.

Defence

With Marc-Andre ter Stegen out for the season, Inaki Pena will start again in goal for Barcelona, with manager Hansi Flick expressing confidence that the La Masia product is capable of making the position his own for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, in defence, there are unlikely to be any alterations in the full-back slots, with Jules Kounde, who was imperious against Getafe, and Alejandro Balde expected to feature from the get-go.

Pau Cubarsi ought to start as one of the two centre-backs again, but Inigo Martinez might be due for a rest, having started all of Barça’s eight games this season. Eric Garcia could thus move into the centre-half role.

Returning to his natural habitat in defence? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Gerard Martin, Hector Fort, and Sergi Dominguez could get minutes off the bench if Flick opts to give his starters a breather later on in the game.

Midfield

Pedri was given a rest by Flick against Getafe earlier in the week, but the midfield maestro will be back in the starting lineup tonight against Osasuna.

The 21-year-old should line up in the double pivot alongside Marc Casado, who did not train with the group on Friday but is expected to be fit and available.

Pablo Torre has been performing well since getting an opportunity in the absence of Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo and should get another run-out as the No. 10.

Youngsters Guille Fernandez and Toni Fernandez, who are expected to link up with the senior squad in Pamplona after playing for Barça Atletic on Friday night, could be options from the bench if required.

Attack

The attacking trident of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal has been simply sensational so far and there is little reason for Flick to change things up.

There are options such as Ferran Torres, Pau Victor, and Ansu Fati, who will be returning to the ground where he scored his first goal for Barcelona.

However, it is unlikely that Flick will tinker with the frontline, especially considering that Osasuna have not lost at home this season and will pose a tricky challenge.