Prediction: Barcelona vs Real Betis

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Betfair

Barcelona return to Camp Nou on Sunday night aiming to respond to a rare setback when they face Real Betis in the penultimate match of their La Liga campaign.

The newly crowned champions suffered a surprise defeat in midweek, while their visitors arrive in strong form having already secured a place in next season’s Champions League.

Barcelona

Barcelona’s defeat to Alavés on Wednesday came as a shock, particularly as it ended a remarkable run of 11 consecutive league victories. That sequence had already secured the La Liga title for Hansi Flick’s side, thanks to a decisive 2–0 win over Real Madrid which wrapped up the championship with three games to spare.

Flick opted to rotate heavily for the midweek contest, and the decision backfired as Barcelona fell to their first league defeat since February. While the result carries little consequence in terms of the title race, the Catalan side will be determined to finish the campaign strongly with victories over Real Betis and Valencia.

Their dominance at home has been one of the defining features of the season. Barcelona have won all 18 of their league matches at Camp Nou, scoring 54 goals and conceding just nine. That record highlights the scale of the challenge facing Betis as they attempt to break one of the division’s most formidable home runs.

The reverse fixture earlier this season produced an entertaining 5–3 win for Barcelona, while the previous meeting at Camp Nou in the 2024–25 campaign ended in a 1–1 draw, suggesting Betis are capable of competing even on difficult terrain.

Team News

Barcelona will once again be without Lamine Yamal, who is sidelined for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury, though he is expected to be fit for the 2026 World Cup. Otherwise, the squad is in excellent condition, with Andreas Christensen returning after a long absence.

Flick is expected to rotate his side once more, with Joan García, Eric García, Ronald Araújo, Gerard Martín, João Cancelo, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Fermín López and Ferran Torres all in contention to start. Raphinha returns from suspension and is likely to feature from the bench.

Real Betis

Real Betis arrive in Catalonia in confident mood after a 2–1 victory over Elche, extending their unbeaten run in the league to five matches since March 22. Three wins in that stretch have ensured a strong finish to the campaign and secured fifth place in the standings, along with qualification for the Champions League.

Although Manuel Pellegrini’s side were disappointed to exit the Europa League at the quarter‑final stage against Braga, their domestic success has provided a major boost. This campaign marks only their second top‑five finish since the 2004–05 season and just their second appearance in the Champions League overall, underlining the significance of their achievement.

Betis have lost only seven of their 36 league matches this season and possess the fifth‑best away record in La Liga, collecting 24 points from 18 matches on the road. That resilience will be crucial as they attempt to challenge Barcelona’s remarkable home record.

Despite those positives, recent history against Barcelona is less encouraging. Betis have not beaten the Catalan giants since a 1–0 away win in December 2021, though two of the last three meetings have ended in draws, suggesting they remain competitive.

Team News

Marc Bartra, Ángel Ortiz and Aitor Ruibal are unavailable due to injury, while Cucho Hernández and Diego Llorente are suspended following bookings in the win over Elche. Natan is expected to step in defensively in Llorente’s absence, while Cédric Bakambu is likely to replace Hernández in attack.

Abde Ezzalzouli has been one of the standout performers in recent weeks, scoring five goals and contributing two assists in his last seven appearances. The winger, who previously played for Barcelona, is set to face his former club with confidence and momentum.

Conclusion

While Real Betis have enjoyed an excellent campaign and rarely suffer defeat, Barcelona’s extraordinary home record makes them difficult to oppose. The champions will be eager to respond after their midweek loss and maintain their perfect record at Camp Nou.

The visitors have the quality to make this a competitive and entertaining encounter and they’re likely to get on the scoresheet, but Barcelona’s consistency on home turf should ultimately prove decisive, as Flick’s side edge toward another victory to close out their title‑winning season.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Betfair