Barcelona vs Betis Prediction & Tips
“I am angry. It looked like Rayo had more at stake and it can’t be”. FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his displeasure at his players’ lack of intensity in the defeat suffered at Vallecas on Wednesday (Rayo Vallecano 2-1 FCB). Barça are in the hunt for their first La Liga title thanks to an 11-point lead at the top with seven games remaining in LaLiga Santander (LL) 2022-23, and that huge margin has perhaps affected the motivation of Los Azulgranas, victors in just one of their last five matches (G1, E2, P2).
Despite the two goals conceded against Rayo, the Barcelona giants (11 goals conceded) are on course to surpass the best-ever defensive record for a team in a 38-game LL campaign (18). At the Spotify Camp Nou, Xavi’s side have conceded just two goals, one of which was a penalty and the other an own goal.
Xavi does not have fond memories of Betis’ last visit to the Blue and Whites’ stadium, which ended in his first defeat as coach (FCB 0-1 RBB). Betis travels to Barcelona after a 0-0 draw with Real Sociedad, who still hold a six-point lead over the team in the fight for Champions League qualification. “We are fighting for the Europa League, the rest are illusions,” acknowledged Verdiblanco coach Manuel Pellegrini.
The reality is that Betis have taken just four points from the last 15 in play (G1, E1, P3), a very poor record that forces them to react immediately to avoid missing the Champions League train for good. Pellegrini has suffered 23 defeats in 32 meetings against Barça in his coaching career, and Betis’ recent away record is not exactly encouraging; the side guided by the Chilean engineer have not won away from home in any competition since the end of February (E1, P3) and have been defeated in their last two league outings.
Players to watch: Robert Lewandowski scored the consolation goal for Barça against Rayo in Vallecas, and the Polish striker scored the decisive goal in the visit to Betis in the first leg (RBB 1-2 FCB). Sergio Canales’ contribution could be key to Betis’ chances of a positive result at Camp Nou; two of the Cantabrian midfielder’s four direct appearances in goals against Barça (G2, A2 in 26 games) have come in wins.
Key stat: Barça and Betis have not drawn in a league clash at the Camp Nou since May 2007 (FCB: G10, E2 since then).
Barcelona – Betis FREE TIPS
OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
