Real Betis vs Barcelona
Real Betis and Barcelona need the points as the Estadio Benito Villamarín hosts their high-profile La Liga match this weekend.
Hosts Real Betis are fighting for a European place and sit seventh in the La Liga standings after 20 games.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Barcelona look far from their best and are eight points off the summit.
It’s fair to say then that a draw will be of little use to either side this Sunday teatime.
Talking Points
Now, if the form guide is any kind of barometer for this clash, the home team are on a hiding to nothing.
They broke their run of six games without a win, including three defeats, when they saw off lowly Granada last weekend, but it was far from convincing.
This is the side which was also demoted to the Europa Conference League after finishing third in their Europa League group before Christmas.
Without the injured duo Hector Bellerin and Marc Bartra, and with Youssouf Sabaly (Senegal), Chadi Riad (Morocco), and Abde Ezzalzouli (Morocco) all on international duty at AFCON, it is a far from ideal situation facing their astute manager Manuel Pellegrini.
According to the La Liga 2024 updates, he also confirmed this week that veteran midfielder Andres Guardado will leave the club after nearly seven years, so the Chilean coach will certainly hope Ayoze Perez and Aitor Ruibal are fit to play after they suffered injuries against Granada.
It’s also been reported that Juan Miranda, Claudio Bravo, and Guido Rodriguez could return to the squad.
Betis have won just two of their last 10 games across competitions and need a spark to stay in contention for European spots.
Barcelona need similar to get back into the title race, and they come into the contest on the back of an embarrassing 4-1 defeat in the Supercopa Final to arch rivals Real Madrid.
Seven points adrift of Real and eight behind surprise leaders Girona, who beat them in an epic encounter at the Nou Camp last month, the Catalonians are already without talented youngster Gavi for the season.
With goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Raphinha, who has a good record against the Andalusians, also out this weekend, they could do with the likes of Joao Cancelo, Pedri, Marcos Alonso, and Inigo Martinez returning.
My colleague says encounters between these two can be box office stuff. However, the recent record suggests it’s one-sided.
What will it be this weekend I wonder.
History
This contest last season saw Barca edge out 2-1 winners, an important result on their path to title success.
Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski were on the scoresheet before an own goal from Jules Kounde made the last few moments a little more interesting.
The two games in Catalonia since then have resulted in big Barca victories.
They won 4-0 at home in April with Andreas Christensen, Lewandowski and Raphinha on target as Betis played an hour with 10 men.
Earlier this term, they went one better with a 5-0 romp at the Nou Camp when Portugal forward Joao Felix, on loan from Atletico Madrid, scored his first Barcelona goal and was joined on the scoresheet by Lewandowski, Ferran Torrres, Raphinha, and Joao Cancelo.
Barcelona have won all of their last five head-to-heads across all competitions, including a penalty shootout win in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final last season.
You have to go back to the Copa del Rey in 2011 for the last time Betis defeated Barcelona at home when two goals inside the opening seven minutes from Jorge Molina set them on their way and Arturo Arzu added a third after Lionel Messi had reduced the arrears.
It was 2008 when they last saw them off at home in the league in a 3-2 success
Bojun Krkic and Samuel Eto’o put Barcelona two up inside 15 minutes.
In a dramatic fightback, Edu then scored with a neat header after 63 minutes and then also the chance to level when Victor Valdes saved his penalty.
But in the 75th minute, Juanito equalized with an exquisite volley to set up an exciting finish.
Edu produced a brilliant winner just three minutes later as he waltzed around French international defender Liliam Thuram before firing home a spectacular shot.
Overall, Barcelona have beaten Betis 35 times with nine Betis successes and a further nine draws.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP La Liga 2024 betting odds make Barca clear favourites, priced 1X2 @ 1.82 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.08, while if you fancy a re-run of their 2-1 triumph at the Benito Villamarín last term, then Correct Score offers odds @ 7.60.
If Betis are to secure a first home league victory for 16 years over their illustrious opponents, then a tidy payday could await with Betis priced 1X2 @ 3.79 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.44.
It’s worth remembering there hasn’t been a goalless draw between the sides in more than 28 years when you look at options such as Under 2.50 @ 2.19, Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.91, 2-3 @ 1.97, and 4-6 @ 2.90.
I suspect Barca will edge this but will be pushed hard.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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