Insight and Analysis:Barcelona vs Real Betis LaLiga 2021 match Prediction and Preview.
Barcelona vs Real Betis LaLiga 2021 Match Prediction,Preview, Injuries/Suspension, Match Facts, Team News and Where to Watch.
Barcelona have work to do in LaLiga (LL) to get back into the European qualification places ahead of a key trip to Munich that will decide their Champions League fate this season.
In good news for the Catalans, they’ve been in good form in the build-up to this match, with two late goals giving Barcelona a 3-1 win against Villarreal in the previous round, marking their first back-to-back victories in the Liga.
Xavi Hernández’s priority will be to maintain that momentum, especially because the ‘Blaugrana’ have a remarkable 20-game LL record against Real Betis (W16, D3, L1).
The hosts’ average goalscoring rate throughout that stretch (3.35 per game) will give them even more optimism of improving on their previous three-game LL home form of averaging only one goal per game (W1, D1, L1).
It won’t be easy, though, as Betis have only conceded more than three goals once this season, and they begin this matchday with a point advantage over Barcelona for the first time since February 2003.
Only Real Madrid has collected more points than Betis in the last seven LL games (W5, L2), and a win here might propel them into second place!
Betis have won four of their past six LL away games (L2), putting them in good shape for this trip to Camp Nou.
It’s possible that scoring first will be the key to them taking all three points on offer, since Betis have a perfect record in LL away matches this season when doing so (W4).
Players to Watch
With his first goal of the season, Frenkie de Jong put Barcelona ahead in their last LL game.
Juanmi, however, is in fine form, having scored four of Betis’ past six LL goals and two of his three career top-flight goals versus Barcelona at this site.
Hot Stat
In seven of the last ten LL H2Hs at Camp Nou, Betis have scored two or more goals.
Match Info
Fuertes P. is the official referee (Esp)
Camp Nou is the venue for this match (Barcelona)
Team News
Barcelona
After a strong showing last time out, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli is anticipated to preserve his spot.
Jordi Alba is expected to return from a muscle problem, and Ronald Araujo might fill in at right-back.
Barca’s treatment room remains unchanged, with Martin Braithwaite, Ansu Fati, Pedri, and Sergio Aguero all out.
Real Betis
After exceeding the yellow card limit, Hector Bellerin returns from suspension, but star man Nabil Fekir takes his place.
Youssef Salaby is still out, and German Pezzella is injured.
Claudio Bravo, like Martin Montoya, is a doubt after suffering a minor injury last time out.
Match Facts
In all competitions, Barcelona has scored at least three goals in 11 of their last 12 home encounters against Real Betis.
Over 2.5 goals have been scored in 11 of Barcelona’s past 12 home matches against Real Betis in all competitions.
Over 2.5 goals have been scored in five of Real Betis’ previous six games (LaLiga).
In their last four matches against Barcelona in all competitions, Real Betis have scored at least two goals.
Prediction
Xavi and Barcelona have now won two games in a row in La Liga, defeating Villarreal away from home last time out and passing a major test.
The victory was contentious due to disputed refereeing decisions in Barcelona’s favor, but the bottom line is that the Blaugrana earned three points thanks to goals from Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, and Philippe Coutinho.
That triumph came after a Catalan derby victory over Espanyol, but it was wedged between a Champions League draw with Benfica, and Barca will be looking ahead to next week’s Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich, which they will almost certainly have to win.
Last time out, Real Betis won 3-1 against hapless Levante, thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Juanmi.
That victory came after a Europa League victory against Ferencvaros, which earned them a place in the following round, and they had previously defeated Elche in La Liga.
With three wins in as many games and a four-point lead over Barcelona in fifth place, Betis will be confident that they can take something home from Camp Nou, and they just could.
Manuel Pellegrini’s team is well within the reach of a point.
Where to Watch
Arena Sport (Cro), Arena Sport (Svn), CMore (Fin), CMore Live (Swe), CMore Sport (Fin), DAZN Deutsch, DAZN Italia, DAZN Japan, Digi Sport 1 (Rom), Eleven Sports 2 (Pol), Eleven Sports (Bel), Eleven Sports (Por), Look Sport +, Max Sport, Nova Sports (Hel), Setanta Sports Eurasia, Spiler2 TV, TV2 Sport X (Den), Ziggo Sport Voetbal
