FC Barcelona returned for a lunchtime recovery session on the Tito Vilanova pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva, on the heels of a hard-fought draw away to Napoli in the Champions League.

The workout was part of the preparations for the La Liga match against Getafe at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with the final workout set for Friday at 11 a.m.

How will FC Barcelona line up against Getafe in La Liga?

The Catalan giant won their last league match in Vigo thanks to a 90+7 minute penalty kick from Lewandowski to seal the victory in a fierce encounter that could've ended in a full-time draw.

Barca are in the hunt for another three points at home against a difficult team that's comfortably placed in tenth position. 

Can Barcelona take advantage of the rare slip-up by Real Madrid last weekend? 

As a Barcelona fan, I would say a big yes! But it won't be a walk-in-the-park as many would think. 

For the record, Barça have scored at least one goal in 24 of the 25 games played this La Liga season, with the 0-0 away to Getafe the only exception. 

Well, we could argue that the team played most of the matches with 10 men after Raphinha was sent off, and the boys couldn't find a way past David Soria in that game.

Moreover, the Blaugranes stats against Getafe in their last four meetings have been distasteful. Three goalless draws and a 1:0 victory at the Camp Nou show that they know exactly how to frustrate Barça players, coaches, and fans.

So Saturday's encounter will not be an easy game for the boys as they search for all three points. 

Will the narrative change at Montjuïc?

Getafe has won two, drawn two, and lost one of their last five league matches.

The good news for Culers is that those two wins have been at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. The sad news is that the loss was against Real Madrid (the hottest in the league's title race).

No doubt Getafe are having another solid season that has them dreaming of a place in Europe and their attackers (Mason Greenwood and Borja Mayoral) firing at their finest.

But I'm sorry (Getafe); the Catalans simply cannot afford to drop any more points. We are winning this so as to put serious pressure on the leaders (Real Madrid).

Here's my predicted line-up:

Defense:

The coach can afford to go with a stronger squad, but with a few changes. And that's because Barça will have a full eight days to rest and prepare for next Sunday’s trip to Athletic Bilbao.

Pau Cubars could take the place of Iñigo Martínez, who has had his minutes carefully monitored since returning from injury. Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, and João Cancelo should mount the back four.

Héctor Fort took part in the lunchtime recovery on Thursday, so there's a chance he could start either at right-back with one of Kounde or Araujo going to the bench, or at left-back if Xavi wants to rest Cancelo.

Midfield:

Andreas Christensen struggled against Napoli. His time as a defensive midfielder has not been as impressive as hoped, but somehow, the team has managed to score fewer goals with him in that spot.

So, I feel he's best suited for the center-back role, where he’s shined ever since signing for Barça. 

Christensen has featured in several games in a row. That isn't great for a player who’s been struggling with an Achilles issue all season. 

Playing him against Bordalás' men, who have picked up the most yellow cards in the competition (86), will be a huge gamble.

So, Oriol Romeu should freshen up the side, and we hope that the veteran midfielder can match them with equal brute force.

Ilkay Gündogan, Frenkie de Jong, and Pedri should retain their spots on the team. Pedri, as a false left winger again, will be welcomed. But he should be rested if Xavi wants to avoid any risks with the squad's most creative player and go with a three-attacker setup.

Attack:

Lamine Yamal needs some rest. He has started and/or played heavy minutes in virtually every game in 2024. Remember, he's still a teenager.

The long layoff between Saturday’s match and the trip to San Mamés next weekend gives Xavi the perfect opportunity to rest the youngling or have him play the final 15–20 minutes on Saturday and then have a full week to rest and recover.

Possible XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Romeu, De Jong; Raphinha, Gündogan, Pedri; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1).

Culers! How do you think Barcelona should better line up against Getafe on Saturday?