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FC Barcelona travel to Real Betis in La Liga Matchday 20

By Benjamin Barkworth

BARCELONA, SPAIN - January 26: Denis Suarez of Barcelona celebrates after he scored a goal during the King's Cup (Copa del Rey) match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain on January 26, 2017. (Photo by Albert Llop/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - January 26: Denis Suarez of Barcelona celebrates after he scored a goal during the King's Cup (Copa del Rey) match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain on January 26, 2017. (Photo by Albert Llop/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona play in the city of Seville in the early kick-off on Sunday.

Form

The Catalans have won five consecutive games in all competitions, so they are in good form currently. They are also unbeaten in the league since the start of October when they lost to Celta Vigo. Out of the seven games in 2017, they have only lost once which was the first match of the year against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey. In contrast to this, Real Betis have been in poor form of late. They have only played three games since the winter break, and picked up four points out of a potential nine from those games.

Squads

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In terms of injuries, Rafinha, Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta are all still out. This weakens the midfield significantly, but Barcelona have plenty of depth due to the summer signings. Aside from that, Barcelona have no other issues to deal with. Real Betis have injuries to key attacking players: Antonio Sanabria and Joaquín are both out. Felipe Gutiérrez and Darko Brašanac are out as well, so the Andalusians are severely weakened in the attacking areas and shouldn’t offer too much threat.

Next: 3 Things We Learned from the Sociedad match

History

Barcelona have won eight of the last ten meetings between the two, with the only loss in that period coming in 2011. Home advantage doesn’t seem to help the Andalusians either with four losses in the last four matches against Barcelona at the Estadio Benito Villamarín. In the last ten games in all competitions between the two, Barcelona have outscored the opposition 32-14. Therefore, expect plenty of goals, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if both teams scored. The reverse fixture in the league, on the opening day, ended 6-2, so lets hope for something similar.

FC Barcelona players celebration during La Liga match between F.C. Barcelona v Betis, in Barcelona, on August 20, 2016. (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
FC Barcelona players celebration during La Liga match between F.C. Barcelona v Betis, in Barcelona, on August 20, 2016. (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Playing Style

In the last game between the two, Betis relied on counter-attacks and set-pieces to create chances. The two goals they scored came from free kicks with one being a direct shot on goal, and the other was from a rebound after a free kick had been hit in to the box. However, apart from that they offered little threat, and it should be similar in this game. As long as the Barcelona defence is vigilant on their set pieces, then the Catalans should be able to ease through this game.

Assuming that Ivan Rakitić is given the defensive midfield role, his influence will be key in order to bring possession from out of the defence. It wouldn’t be a surprise if both teams score especially if Jeremy Mathieu is starting due to his lapses in concentration. However, Lionel Messi and the others could run riot against this team who aren’t the strongest defensively.

Prediction: Real Betis 1-4 FC Barcelona

Predicted Lineup

Neymar of Luis Suárez could start depending on how much squad rotation Lucho wants to do in order to prepare for the midweek clash against Atlético Madrid.