Barcelona vs Real Betis Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Barcelona vs Real Betis on and what time does it start? Barcelona vs Real Betis will take place on Saturday 16th September, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Barcelona vs Real Betis? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Barcelona vs Real Betis on in the UK? Barcelona vs Real Betis will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Barcelona vs Real Betis in the UK? Barcelona vs Real Betis can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
BARCELONA
Throughout Barcelona’s title winning campaign last season, the Blaugrana were often underwhelming and scratchy as they searched for three points, consistently winning by a goal to nil. The lack of fluency and cohesion in attack was combined with a general lack of control over the ball which allowed most teams joy and resulted in Marc-Andre ter Stegen being Barca’s most influential and important player last season.
That sort of theme and form cannot continue into this campaign because they will be punished by the likes of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. They started the season with a goalless draw in Madrid away to Getafe before three successive unconvincing victories against Cadiz, Villarreal and then a ten-man Osasuna side who had just played in the UEFA Europa Conference League playoffs against Club Brugge.
REAL BETIS
Manuel Pellegrini, nicknamed ‘The Engineer’, will have to be pragmatic this season, once again, as Real Betis like many Spanish sides deal with a financial squeeze, especially relative to their English counterparts. Despite that, the Andalusians remained a top six side last season and did make some interesting additions over the summer, such as Hector Bellerin and Isco on free transfers.
Betis come into this on the back of a slender 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano in their most recent outing, a couple of weeks ago prior to the international break. They started the season by winning 2-1 away to Villarreal on the opening day before a goalless draw with Atletico Madrid a week later and then a 4-2 defeat in the Basque Country away to Athletic Club.
THE TEAM NEWS
BARCELONA
Xavi is having to deal with two key injuries as young players Pedri, crucial in midfield, and Ronald Araujo, crucial in defence, are out injured for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Roberto, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; de Jong, Romeu, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Gavi
UNAVAILABLE: Pedri (Injured), Araujo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL BETIS
Manuel Pellegrini is without several crucial players for this weekend with four or five starters, including captain Andres Guardado and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, out injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Silva; Bellerin, Pezzella, Felipe, Miranda; Rodriguez, Roca; Rodri, Isco, Perez; Willian Jose
UNAVAILABLE: Guardado (Injured), Ruibal (Injured), Luiz Henrique (Injured), Bravo (Injured), Carvalho (Injured), Fekir (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Barcelona have began the season how they left off last season in unconvincing form but they are still collecting points, earning three successive victories since their irritating goalless draw away to Getafe on the opening day. Real Betis have also been strong so far this season but with six genuinely important and key players out injured, the Andalusians will be depleted for this trip to the Barcelona Olympic Stadium. Another Barca win with some general concerns about their performance seems likely.
TIP: BARCELONA TO WIN
