FC Barcelona is set to host Real Betis this Saturday at their home stadium. This follows an eventful week where Barcelona secured a victory against Girona in their recent La Liga game and advanced to the Copa del Rey final by defeating Atletico de Madrid. They are now preparing to face Real Madrid in the final on April 26th in Sevilla.
Barcelona currently leads La Liga, holding a three-point advantage over Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid is further behind, seemingly out of contention for the title with only nine games remaining in the season.
With the upcoming UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, Barcelona`s coach is expected to rotate the lineup. Real Betis, positioned sixth in the league, is still vying for a Champions League spot, trailing fourth place by six points. Both teams enter this match with impressive form, each having won their last six La Liga games.
Barcelona faces injury concerns with key players like Dani Olmo, Marc Casado, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen sidelined. However, Lamine Yamal is anticipated to be in the starting lineup. Here’s a closer look at the match details:
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, April 5
- Location: Estadio Lluis Companys — Barcelona, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: FC Barcelona -280; Draw +425; Real Betis +650
Previous Encounter
The last match between Barcelona and Real Betis was on January 15th in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, where Barcelona triumphed 5-1 at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Their La Liga match in Sevilla ended in a 2-2 draw, with a late equalizer from Real Betis`s Assane Diao.
Barcelona`s Perspective
In the pre-match press conference, Barcelona`s coach commented on the upcoming game against Real Betis, stating, “It will be a challenging match, and we need to perform at our best. Pellegrini is a very experienced coach who maximizes his players` potential. The team has a strong belief in itself, including those on the bench. We are united in our belief and aim to demonstrate this on the field as we compete for every possible title.”
Projected Lineups
FC Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Alejandro Balde; Pedri, Frankie De Jong; Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Robert Lewandowski.
Real Betis: Adrian; Youssouf Sabaly, Marc Bartra, Diego Llorente, Ricardo Rodriguez; Johnny Cardoso, Pablo Fornals; Antony, Giovani Lo Celso, Jesus Rodriguez; Cucho Hernandez.
Key Player Spotlight
Antony, Real Betis: The on-loan winger from Manchester United is experiencing a resurgence in Spain under Manuel Pellegrini. He has already contributed two goals and two assists in eight La Liga appearances, highlighting potential issues for players at Manchester United currently. This match against Barcelona offers a significant platform for him to showcase his abilities.
Intriguing Storyline
Szczesny`s Contract Extension: Barcelona is reportedly considering extending goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny`s contract beyond the 2024-25 season. Despite his previous plans for early retirement, Szczesny has proven his value since joining Barcelona as a replacement for the injured Marc ter Stegen, leading to discussions about a new deal.
Match Prediction
Considering Real Betis`s current form, this game will pose a significant challenge for FC Barcelona. However, a narrow victory for Barcelona is anticipated.
Prediction: FC Barcelona 2, Real Betis 1.
