Verdict: Barcelona win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to extend on their remarkable purple patch, Barcelona will welcome Real Betis to Catalonia on Saturday night.
Barcelona
Starting with the hosts, embarking on what has become a sensational rise since Hansi Flick’s arrival in Catalonia last summer, Barcelona have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the globe. Booking their spot in the final of this season’s Copa del Rey earlier in the week as they clinched a rugged 1-0 victory away at Atletico Madrid, the former Bayern Munich boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Marking their return from March’s international break with a 3-0 win against Osasuna, Barca have their sights firmly set on completing what would be an iconic domestic and European sweep in 2025. Along with winning each of their previous seven appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 20-4, Flick’s side have not suffered a single defeat so far this calendar year.
Barcelona Team News
Picking up a groin issue against Osasuna when returning from March’s international break, Spanish international Dani Olmo remains on the sidelines and will not feature here. Likewise, still dealing with a long-term knee issue, German goalkeeper Marc-Andre her Stegen is not expected to feature over the remainder of the season.
Bagging the winner away at Atletico Madrid earlier in the week and now notching five goals in his last four domestic appearances, ex-Manchester City star Ferran Torres will be hoping to keep his spot from the start. Set to sign a new deal in Catalonia, veteran shot-stopper Wojciech Szczęsny will start between the sticks.
Real Betis
As for the visitors, while Real Betis might be facing an uphill battle in the race to book a famous Champions League ticket this season, Manuel Pellegrini’s men have certainly hit top gear at a crucial time. Last seen marking their return from March’s international break with a 2-1 victory at home against Sevilla, the one-time Manchester City boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Storming their way to a Europa Conference League quarter-final ticket last month as they secured a 6-2 aggregate win against Portuguese outfit Guimaraes, Saturday’s guests are riding a major wave of momentum. Heading into March’s fortnight interval with an action-packed 3-2 victory away at Leganes, Real Betis have won each of their previous four appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 10-4.
Real Betis Team News
Picking up what was a costly second-half booking against Sevilla last weekend, former Real Madrid ace Isco will serve a one-match suspension here. However, returning to Pellegrini’s squad and making a first appearance since the middle of February, Giovani Lo Celso should get some more minutes under his belt.
Finding the net in back-to-back La Liga appearances on either side of March’s international break, one-time Watford striker Cucho Hernandez will spearhead Betis’ charge. Making a real impact after arriving from Manchester United on a loan switch during the January transfer window, Antony will partner Hernandez in the final third.
Barcelona vs Real Betis Key Factors to Consider
- When Barcelona welcomed Real Betis to Catalonia for a Copa del Rey showdown on January 15th, Flick’s side collected a thumping 5-1 victory on home soil.
- In fact, Barca are unbeaten in all of their last eight meetings against Saturday’s guests across all competitions (seven wins, one draw).
- Barcelona have won each of their previous seven appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 20-4.
- Likewise, Real Betis have won their last four matchups across all fronts by an aggregate score of 10-4.
- Former Manchester City star Ferran Torres has registered five goals in his previous four domestic appearances.
Conclusion
While Real Betis might be enjoying what has been a real flurry on either side of March’s international break, Saturday’s guests couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge here. Watching Barcelona open this weekend’s fixtures holding a three-point buffer at the top of the table, Flick’s side will simply be looking to lay down another title marker here. Claiming a thumping 5-1 romp when they welcomed Betis to Catalonia for a Copa del Rey showdown on January 15th, we are backing what could be an enjoyable home victory here.
Verdict: Barcelona win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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