Ace Football previews the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
FC Barcelona welcome Real Betis to Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon for their final fixture ahead of the international break this month.
A first league La Liga victory in over a month will very much be on the agenda for the hosts, who sit 12th in the standings. Anything less than three points is simply unacceptable. Although Real Betis, who sit five places above, have a point to prove themselves in Catalonia.
Goals are often never amiss in the fixture, with both sides having scored in their previous four meetings. Therefore, it should be a good one as both sides look to make a statement to their rivals.
FC Barcelona Form & Stats
A four-match winless run (D2 L2) has left Ronald Koeman’s side down in the lower half of the La Liga standings. Their campaign may only be six games in, but they cannot afford another slip-up. Doing so could leave them with a mountain to climb to catch Real Madrid, who are eight points ahead in second place.
Barcelona may have two games in hand over leaders Real Sociedad, but it’s still their worst start to a league season in 18 years.
The Blaugrana have enjoyed a strong start in the Champions League though, winning all three of their matches to leave them top of Group G. Now it’s a matter of carrying over this form back to the league.
And while Philippe Coutinho remains out of the 23-man squad, Koeman has no fresh injury concerns for Saturday’s game.
Key Team Stats
- Winless in their last four league games (D2 L2).
- Won 12 of their last 14 games against Real Betis in all competitions.
- Scored three or more goals in 10 of their last 11 home games against Real Betis in all competitions.
Real Betis Form & Stats
Inconsistency has plagued the visitors this season, having won four and lost four of their opening eight La Liga games. Although they do still sit a respectable seventh in the standings on 12 points. Considering they finished 15th last term, it’s an improvement even if several clubs have a game in hand.
Manuel Pellegrini had a strong start to life as Betis manager, but has endured mixed fortunes of late. Four defeats, in fact, have come in his last six league games. Despite the club’s recent struggles, though, the Chilean announced in his pre-match conference that three points at Camp Nou is still the target.
It’s a tall order, especially with Betis’ recent form and their woeful record against Barcelona. That said, victory at Catalonia would be a huge statement of intent and a potential turning point in Los Verdiblancos’ season.
Losing a key man in Nabil Fekir to injury, however, is an unfortunate blow with Andres Guardado, Juanmi, Victor Camarasa, and Dani Martin also out of the 22-man squad.
Key Team Stats
- Lost four of their last six league games (W2).
- Lost eight of their last 11 away league games (W2 D1).
- Under 2.5 goals scored in six of their last seven away league games.
Team News
FC Barcelona: Philippe Coutinho, Ronald Araujo, & Samuel Umtiti (all out).
Real Betis: Nabil Fekir, Andres Guardado, Victor Camarasa, Juanmi, & Dani Martin (all out).
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top goalscorers in recent La Liga games
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats between the two teams based on their form and Over/Under stats in their recent La Liga games.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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