Messi is ready to lead out FC Barcelona once again

FC Barcelona will be looking to secure their place at the top of LaLiga when they face off against Real Betis this afternoon ahead of the next set of international fixtures. Ernesto Valverde has both Samuel Umtiti and Lionel Messi to call upon after both have missed recent games through injury. Ousmane Dembele, who hasn't been well this week, is not in the match day squad as questions continue to circle around his future.

The loss of the Frenchman isn't the only significant one for Barcelona though. Philippe Coutinho would've been a certain starter had he not picked up a thigh injury which has ruled him out for the next two weeks.

With Messi likely to start, everything suggests Valverde will have his best team available - with the exception of Coutinho - for the clash against Betis.

Will malcom get a chance? 

One option for Valverde is to play with a third forward. Malcom or Munir are the main options when it comes to replacing Dembele in the XI. Will the Brazilian be rewarded for his goal in Milan? It might seem the most obvious option but Valverde could switch back to a 4-4-2 and bring Arturo Vidal into the side instead.

Another idea for the coach is to use Rafinha Alcantara, who was the man Valverde turned to in the immediate aftermath of Messi's injury.

The rest of the team shouldn't have too many surprises. It'll be interesting to see whether Umtiti is back up to speed and ready to start or whether he'll have to make do with a place on the bench. Ter Stegen will be in goal; in defence it'll be Sergi Roberto, Pique, Lenglet and Jordi Alba and in midfield Busquets, Rakitic and Arthur. 

setién and Bartra clash 

Quique Setien's side arrive at the Camp Nou with their own problems to deal with. They are struggling to score goals despite adapting a similar system to Barcelona and they've lost all of their last eight visits to the Camp Nou.

Setien's comments about Bartra have also upset a few supporters and players. He said Bartra must be doing something wrong to be at Betis rather than Barcelona. His intention was to motivate the player ahead of this match rather than belittle him.

Bartra isn't the only old face to return this afternoon though. The pacy winger Cristian Tello and Tonny Sanabria, the latter likely from the bench, are also coming back to their old stomping ground.

fighting for goals

The greatest concern for Betis in LaLiga is their lack of goals. They've only scored eight goals in 11 matches so far. This missing firepower is a huge reason behind their patchy league form and why they haven't won in their last four matches.

Setien could add Sidnei to his defence after he was rested against Milan. William Carvalho, Sergio Canales and Lo Celso are likely to form the midfield trio.

With Guardado pushing for a start, it might see Canales move further forward to help link midfield and attack. The other option for Setien is using Sanabira and going with two strikers, although that seems less likely at the moment.