Barcelona return to La Liga action this weekend after the international break with a tricky home clash against Real Betis.
La Blaugrana have made a strong start to their title defence, picking up ten points from their opening four matches, and Xavi will be hopeful of a fourth successive victory against Betis. Barcelona haven’t always made life easy for themselves this season and are perhaps somewhat fortunate to have picked up as many points as they have.
Betis have made a decent start to the campaign as well, taking seven points from their first four games, an impressive total given they have had a tough run of fixtures. A home clash with Atletico Madrid was sandwiched between difficult away trips to Villarreal and Athletic Club and things don’t get much simpler when they travel to Catalonia on Saturday.
Here is all you need to know ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Betis.
Barcelona vs Real Betis H2H record (Last Five Games)
Current form (last five competitive games)
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Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
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United Kingdom |
LaLigaTV, Viaplay UK, Viaplay Sports 1 |
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United States |
ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, ESPN App, fuboTV |
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Canada |
TSN+ |
Xavi will be without several players heading into Saturday’s game with centre-back Ronald Araujo and midfielder Pedri still unavailable. Araujo has missed the last three matches with a groin problem, while Pedri hasn’t played since August in a 2-0 win over Cadiz. Both are expected to return in several weeks.
Ilkay Gundogan is a new concern for the Barcelona boss, however, having been substituted after 25 minutes of Germany’s clash with France. The midfielder is unlikely to start at the weekend.
Raphinha returned from suspension off the bench against Osasuna but could bolster Xavi’s attacking options from the start against Betis, while Lamine Yamal returns to Catalonia having become Spain’s youngest ever player and goalscorer over the international break.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Betis (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Romeu, De Jong; Raphinha, Gavi, Yamal; Lewandowski.
There are no new injury concerns for Manuel Pellegrini as he remains without some of his side’s most influential players. Nabil Fekir, William Carvalho and Claudio Bravo are all guaranteed to miss out, but there will be late checks on Luiz Henrique and Aitor Ruibal.
The Chilean coach is likely to field a similar side to the one that secured a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano prior to the international break, although he will have to replace centre-back Luiz Felipe who recently joined Al Ittihad.
Real Betis predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Silva; Bellerin, Pezzella, Bartra, Miranda; Rodriguez, Roca; Rodri, Isco, Perez; Jose.
Barcelona’s defence have not been quite as stubborn as the one that conceded just 20 goals last season, but they will fancy their chances of keeping Betis’ attack at bay in Saturday’s encounter.
La Blaugrana will be the overwhelming favourites for a fourth straight La Liga victory against the side from Seville, with Betis’ last win against Barca coming at the end of 2021.
Ilkay Gundogan could be a big miss for Barcelona in central midfield, but the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Joao Felix and wonderkid Yamal should have too much for Betis.
Prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Real Betis
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