LaLiga 2022-23: Real Betis vs FC Barcelona: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

On Wednesday night Estadio Benito Villamain will host the Blaugranas in order to further extend their league on the top.

Real Betis host LaLiga league leaders FC Barcelona as they look to extend their lead against Real Madrid. The fate of Manuel Pellegrini’s men rests in their own hands if they are to qualify for the Champions League next season. Although they managed to scrape out a result in their last LaLiga fixture by a marginal 1-0 victory against relegation-threatened Getafe. Things aren’t as bright as it seems for Real Betis. They have only managed to win three out of their last nine league fixtures and are still in contention for the Champions League spot. They are only 3 points behind 4th placed Atletico Madrid who have played a game more than them. Borja Iglesias scored the only goal against Getafe to register Betis’ first win after three consecutive losses across all competitions.

Barcelona on the other hand have looked relentless and will now look to further extend their lead on the top of the table. Without a defeat in 13 consecutive games, they have managed to win in their last eight fixtures which cement their place at the top of the table. Barcelona has also looked defensively solid at the back conceding only 6 times in LaLiga this season. They also managed to keep 14 clean sheets out of 18 matches. A 5-point lead over rivals Real Madrid looks promising enough halfway through the campaign. While Xavi’s men have had a fair run of form against Real Betis in the recent past too. They have won their last five fixtures against Real Betis in LaLiga and were victorious by 1-0 against Girona. From a courtesy of a goal from Pedri in their last run out in La Liga.

Kick-off: Thursday, 2nd February, 01:30 pm (IST), 08:00 pm: (GMT), Wednesday, 1st February

Real Betis form (all competition): W-L-L-L-W

FC Barcelona form (all competition): W-W-W-W-W

Player to watch

Real Betis

Nabil Fekir

A very skilled attacking midfielder who also possesses immense abilities down the flanks, he is the most potent threat for Manuel Pellegrini. His left foot has often been praised by many and might be a deciding factor in this fixture. He has also already scored 5 times and has 3 assists in his name this campaign.

FC Barcelona

Pedri

Likened to Barca and Spain legend Andres Iniesta by Xavi, Pedri operates in midfield, however, he's a free-flowing player, capable of dropping deep and out wide on either flank, too. He managed the winner in Barcelona’s most recent fixture against Girona and now has 3 goals in his last four appearances for the Blaugranas.

Match facts

• Barcelona have won eight of their last 10 away matches at Estadio Benito Villamain against Real Betis across all competitions.
• Real Betis lost out on penalties against Barcelona in the Spanish Super-Cup semi-final following a 2-2 draw in normal time three weeks ago.
• Real Betis have lost six of their last seven outings against Barcelona in La Liga conceding at least 3 goals on six of those occasions.

Injury and team news

There have not been many injury concerns in the Balompie camp with the only recognizable miss-out being Juan Cruz who is out since October due to a hamstring injury. They onboarded Abner Vinicius from Athletico Paranaense to solidify their left side of the defence and he will be eager to make the starting XI ahead of Juan Miranda. Nabil Fekir is deemed fit from his ongoing muscle problem and is fit to make the starting XI.

Barcelona have managed their injury concerns and suspensions with diligent scrutiny this season. Robert Lewandowski will be returning from the 3-match ban and Ferran Torres is expected to partner alongside him in the starting lineup. Ousmane Dembele is likely going to be a miss after he was subbed off due to a muscle injury against Girona. The rest of the starting XI has been almost predictable by Xavi with Pedri and Jordi Alba expected to return to the starting XI after coming on as substitutes against Girona.

Head-to-Head stats

Matches: 43

Real Betis: 9

Draws: 8

FC Barcelona: 26

Predicted lineup

Real Betis predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Silva; Sabaly, Pezzella, Felipe, Miranda; Rodriguez, Carvalho; Henrique, Fekir, Rodri; Iglesias

FC Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Alba; Gavi, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres

Prediction

An upset is highly unlikely as FC Barcelona are not expected to squander any chances of giving up on their 5-point lead at the top of the table. FC Barcelona have been dominant against their opponents in all parts of the field and a relatively meagre defence of Betis might just not be able to trouble the likes of Lewandowski and Raphinha up ahead.

Prediction:  Real Betis 0-2 FC Barcelona

Telecast

India - Sports18

USA - ESPN+

UK - LaLigaTV, Viaplay Sports and ITV

Nigeria - SuperSport