The 'FF duo' is back in Flick's squad, as Barca face Antony & Co.
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 06.12.25. | 15:15
The Catalans will try to maintain the La Liga top spot with a road win in Seville against the soaring Betis, which are undefeated since October 27
Ahead of Barcelona's derby clash against Real Betis at Estadio de la Cartuja, Hansi Flick got some good and some bad news.
The former are the returns of the "FF duo" - Fermin Lopez and Frenkie de Jong - to the team. Neither of the two played since the Catalans' crushing 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - the former due to a calf injury and the latter due to illness.
❗ 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 6, 2025
▶️ Fermín and De Jong both get medical clearance for #BetisBarça pic.twitter.com/2FOeaVrkHC
However, the other side of the coin states that the German tactician won't have Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Dani Olmo, and Ronald Araujo at his disposal, meaning that reserve team players, such as Jofre Torrents, Tomas Marques, Dro Fernandez, and the custodian Eder Aller, will be benched.
And Barca's task will be as tough as it gets. Manuel Pellegrini's men are unbeaten in all competitions since October 27, following the 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid. In the previous La Liga round, they brushed aside city rivals Sevilla on the road (2-0), and three days ago, they easily crushed fourth-tier side Torrent (4-1) in the Copa del Rey Round of 32.
Finally, the creator of ten goals this season (six scored and four set up), Antony, returns to the team after serving a red card suspension, so Los Verdiblancos will get an additional boost for the duel against Barcelona.
In the previous campaign, the Catalans failed to beat Betis in La Liga on both occasions (2-2 in Seville, 1-1 at Camp Nou), and only a win can let them sleep peacefully at the league top, as their advantage over the second-placed Real Madrid is only a single point.
LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 19
Friday
Oviedo - Mallorca 0-0
Saturday
16.00: (1.62) Villareal (3.60) Getafe (6.25)
18.15: (2.80) Alaves (3.05) Sociedad (2.95)
20.30: (4.10) Betis (4.35) Barcelona (1.80)
23.00: (3.50) Ath.Bilbao (3.35) Atl.Madrid (2.25)
Sunday
16.00: (2.20) Elche (3.50) Girona (3.50)
18.15: (2.20) Valencia (3.35) Sevilla (3.60)
20.30: (2.30) Espanyol (3.20) Rayo Vallecano (3.30)
23.00: (1.32) Real Madrid (5.60) Celta (8.50)
Monday
23.00: (1.80) Osasuna (3.50) Levante (4.70)
***odds are subject to change***
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