Real Betis will look to end their four-match winless run in La Liga when they host league leaders Barcelona on Saturday afternoon.
Barcelona returned to winning ways last time out against RCD Mallorca, and they will now look to build on that when they square up against a struggling Real Betis outfit at the Benito Villamarin Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The home team are tenth on the table with 20 points in their 15 matches. The Verdiblancos have won five, drawn five and lost five games so far. Betis have not won any of their last four league games and having lost the last two, they are in desperate need to get things back on track.
The good news for the Andalusian outfit is that they did secure a 3-1 win against Sant Andreu in the second round of the Copa del Rey heading into this fixture. But, this game against Barcelona will be a much tougher challenge for them.
The visitors are top of the table with 37 points in their 16 outings. They are four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand. To stay on top, Barcelona will have to make sure they don’t drop points.
While Hansi Flick’s team dropped points in three games in a row, they returned to winning ways against RCD Mallorca (5-1) and will be confident of getting the job done against Betis. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Real Betis
While Pablo Fornals should be back in the mix for this fixture, Johnny Cardoso, Nobel Mendy, Hector Bellerin, Marc Roca, William Carvalho and Isco are all on the sidelines.
The home team will go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Rui Silva will be in goal. Youssouf Sabaly and Romain Perraud will be the full-backs, while Marc Bartra and Diego Llorente will feature in the heart of the defence.
The back four will be looking to keep things tight against the best attack in the division. Carlos Guirao Mora will partner Sergi Altimira in the centre of the park. They will form the double pivot that will shield the backline and will look to ensure Barcelona do not end up dominating the proceedings.
Abde Ezzalzouli and Pablo Fornals will feature on the flanks, while Giovani Lo Celso will be the attacking midfield. Vitor Roque. who is on loan from Barcelona, is eligible to play against his parent club and should continue to lead the line for the home team.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Silva; Sabaly, Bartra, Llorente, Perraud; Guirao, Altimira; Fornals, Lo Celso, Ezzalzouli; Roque
Real Betis vs Barcelona Predicted XI
Barcelona
While Ronald Araujo is back in training, he is unlikely to be rushed into action. Apart from him, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, and Ansu Fati are all out injured. Robert Lewandowski, who was rested in Barcelona’s last outing, should return to the starting XI for the game against Real Betis.
Hansi Flick’s team will go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Inaki Pena will be in goal. The back four will be made up of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde. Kounde and Balde will be on the flanks with the other two in the heart of the defence.
Marc Casado will partner Pedri in the centre of the park. They will look to control the tempo and allow the attacking players to do the damage. Dani Olmo will be the attacking midfielder, while Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will be on the flanks. Polish superstar Lewandowski will return to the XI and lead the line for Barcelona against Real Betis.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Pedri, Casado; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Real Betis vs Barcelona Predicted XI
Key Stats
With 48 goals in just 16 games, Barcelona have the best attack in the division.
The Catalan giants ended their three-match winless run against RCD Mallorca last time out.
Real Betis have been winless in their last four league games.
Hansi Flick’s team have won each of their last six games against Real Betis.
The home team last won against the Catalan giants back in March 2008.
Player to Watch
Robert Lewandowski
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tHansi Flick decided to rest Lewandowski in their last outing, but the Barcelona striker is expected to be back in the starting XI for this fixture against Real Betis. Having scored 22 goals in his 20 outings this term, it won’t be a surprise if the 36-year-old ends up adding a few more to his tally against Betis.
Prediction
Real Betis 1-3 Barcelona
Real Betis have been struggling of late, and they are going up against a team that has just regained momentum with a great win last time out. Barcelona will go all out for all three points as they look to retain the top spot in the league. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 3-1 win for the away team.