Barcelona is set to host Real Betis this Saturday at their home stadium following a successful week. They secured a victory against Girona in their recent La Liga game and progressed to the Copa del Rey final by defeating Atletico de Madrid. Under coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona will compete against Real Madrid in the final in Sevilla on April 26.
Currently, FC Barcelona leads La Liga, holding a three-point advantage over Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid is further behind, nine points adrift, making their title chances slim with only nine matches remaining this season.
Coach Flick is anticipated to make some changes to the starting lineup in preparation for their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg match against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
Real Betis, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, currently occupies the sixth position in the league table. They are six points away from fourth place and still competing for a Champions League spot. Real Betis has also been in strong form, winning their last six La Liga matches, mirroring Barcelona`s recent league performance.
Barcelona faces injury concerns with key players like Dani Olmo, Marc Casado, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen unavailable. However, Lamine Yamal is expected to be in the starting lineup.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, April 5
- Location: Estadio Lluis Companys — Barcelona, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: FC Barcelona -280; Draw +425; Real Betis +650
Previous Encounter
The last match between Barcelona and Real Betis took place on January 15 in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, where Barcelona won 5-1 at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Their La Liga match in Sevilla ended in a 2-2 draw, with a late equalizer from Real Betis`s Assane Diao.
Barcelona`s Perspective
Hansi Flick commented on the upcoming Real Betis game in a press conference, stating, `It will be a challenging match, and we need to perform at our best. Pellegrini is a highly experienced coach who maximizes his players` potential. Antony`s current performance compared to his time at Manchester United highlights Pellegrini`s influence. I sense a strong belief within our team, including the substitutes. We are united in our belief and must demonstrate this on the field as we compete for every possible title.`
Projected Lineups
FC Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Alejandro Balde; Pedri, Frankie De Jong; Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Robert Lewandowski.
Real Betis: Adrian; Youssouf Sabaly, Marc Bartra, Diego Llorente, Ricardo Rodriguez; Johnny Cardoso, Pablo Fornals; Antony, Giovani Lo Celso, Jesus Rodriguez; Cucho Hernandez.
Player Spotlight
Antony, Real Betis – The on-loan winger from Manchester United has revitalized his form in Spain under Manuel Pellegrini. He has contributed two goals and two assists in eight La Liga appearances, suggesting Manchester United might not have been the ideal environment for him recently. This match against Barcelona presents a significant platform for him to showcase his abilities.
Key Storyline
Szczesny`s Future at Barcelona? Barcelona is reportedly considering extending goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny`s contract beyond the 2024-25 season. Despite initial retirement plans after leaving Juventus in summer 2024, Szczesny signed with Barcelona following Marc ter Stegen`s injury in September. His strong performances have led to discussions about a new contract, reflecting the club`s trust in his contributions.
Match Prediction
The match is expected to be difficult for FC Barcelona against a strong Real Betis side. However, a narrow victory for Barcelona is anticipated.
Prediction: FC Barcelona 2, Real Betis 1.
Adrian Whitmore