The Catalan desperately need to win their last match before the international break.
Team news
Barcelona
- Samuel Umtiti (lack of fitness), Ronald Araujo (thigh) and Philippe Coutinho (hamstring) are unavailable through injuries.
- Ronald Koeman has also included Barca B’s Konrad de la Fuente, Oscar Mingueza and Arnau Tenas in the squad for the clash.
Real Betis
- Los Beticos won’t be able to count on Dani Martin, Victor Camarasa, Juanmi, Andres Guardado and their star-player Nabil Fekir. (h/t Sportsmole)
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Managers’ quotes
Ronald Koeman (Barca): “Any game is important, it doesn’t depend on the situation. Betis are a team that play good football and it’s a complicated game. We have to correct Wednesday’s mistakes, especially in defense. We are ready.”
Manuel Pellegrini (Betis): “They have a lot of possession. The key will be that when we have the ball, we don’t miss our chances. We hope to play a game with the same personality that we had against Atletico and Real Madrid. Taking the initiative and the converting our chances.”
Probable line-ups
Barca XI: Ter Stegen; Dest, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Pjanic, De Jong; Dembele, Messi, Fati; Griezmann.
Betis XI: Bravo; Emerson, Mandi, Bartra, Moreno; Carvalho, Rodriguez; Joaquin, Canales, Tello; Sanabria.
Head-to-head record & other stats to know
- Barcelona have won four and lost only one of their last five matches against Real Betis.
- The last match between the two ended in a 3-2 victory for Barcelona thanks to goals from De Jong, Busquets and Lenglet.
- The Catalans’s loss came back in 2018, with Betis beating us 4-3 at Camp Nou.
- Blaugrana have scored at least 3 goals in 10 out their last 11 home matches against the Andalusians.
Predictions
Sportsmole’s Matt Law: Barca 2-1 Betis
“There is simply no downplaying the importance of this match to Barca, who are already losing ground in the league. Betis are capable of making it a very uncomfortable 90 minutes for the hosts, but we just fancy Koeman’s side to edge a tight match at Camp Nou.”
Whoscored’s Simon Harrison: Barca 3-1 Betis
“Barcelona are winless in their last four La Liga games, drawing with Sevilla and Alaves and being beaten by Getafe and Real Madrid. Despite a perfect record in the Champions League thus far in 2020/21, Ronald Koeman is under fire to get things back on track quickly domestically.
“Real Betis got back to winning ways last time out with a 3-1 win over Elche, but under Manuel Pellegrini the visitors have been very inconsistent so far this season.”
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