No rest for the League leaders. They're back in La Liga action to take on Real Betis in a game rescheduled due to both teams' participation in the Spanish Super cup.
After a stellar January, Barcelona will want to start February on a winning note and extend their lead to a tentative 8 points, until Valencia visit the Bernabeu tomorrow. They've endured a lot of scrappy wins last month, a trend they'll hope to put a stop to as they intend to kill of games much earlier, starting with a trip to the Benito Villamarin.
Never an easy ground to visit for opponents, the electric atmosphere of the Villamarin always acts as the 12th man for Real Betis. Their current form however, leaves quite a bit to be desired, having won only 3 of their last 9 La Liga games. Getting a win against the league leaders will do more than enough to boost their morale, but it's easier said than done.
INTERESTING STATS
- In the last 43 matches between the clubs, Barcelona have an impressive recent record having won 26, as opposed to Real Betis, who have only nine victories.
- In La Liga, Real Betis’s record against Barcelon is a worry for their fans. They have won only two of their last 22 games against Barcelona in La Liga. Their last two wins have come away at Camp Nou.
- Barcelona are on a five-match winning run away from home against Real Betis in La Liga. They are on the verge of becoming the first team to ever win six such games in a row in the competition.
- Xavi’s team have only lost one of their last 30 away games against Real Betis in La Liga. The last defeat was back in 2002.
- Before the start of their winless run at home, Real Betis were on a run of six consecutive victories at home in La Liga. Currently, they are on a winless run of three matches.
Last five meetings
12/01/23 (SUPERCOPA) Barça 2 (Lewandowski, Fati) Betis 2 (Barça won on pens)
07/05/22 (LIGA) Betis 1 Barça 2 (Fati, Alba)
04/12/21 (LIGA) Barça 0 Betis 1
07/02/21 (LIGA) Betis 2 Barça 3 (Messi, OG, Trincao)
07/11/20 (LIGA) Barça 5 (Dembélé, Griezmann, Messi 2, Pedri) Betis 2
12/01/23 (SUPERCOPA) Barça 2 (Lewandowski, Fati) Betis 2 (Barça won on pens)
07/05/22 (LIGA) Betis 1 Barça 2 (Fati, Alba)
04/12/21 (LIGA) Barça 0 Betis 1
07/02/21 (LIGA) Betis 2 Barça 3 (Messi, OG, Trincao)
07/11/20 (LIGA) Barça 5 (Dembélé, Griezmann, Messi 2, Pedri) Betis 2
TEAM NEWS
Real Betis
Juan Cruz is the only absentee Betis will have to deal with. Juanmi, Nabil Fekir and Borja Iglesias have all been declared fit and have made the squad.
Manuel Pellegrini is likely to stick to his 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rui Silva in goal behind German Pezzella and Luiz Felipe at the heart of the defense. Juan Miranda and Youssouf Sabaly are likely to be his full-backs for the big game.
There is no doubt about the fact that the pair of William Carvalho and Guido Rodriguez will start. Fekir will return as the attacking midfielder, while Luiz Henrique and Sergio Canales will handle the wings. Finally, Borja Iglesias will resume duties at the number nine position.
Barcelona
Xavi will be glad to have Robert Lewandowski available once again after serving his suspension. Barça have had problems scoring the second goal last month and the polish striker's presence will be more than welcome going forward. Ferran Torres has also completed his suspension and will be available for selection. Dembele however, will be sidelined for the considerable future.
German shot stopper and sweeper keeper Marc Andre TerStegen will resume his duties, protected by Araujo, Kounde, Christensen and Balde.
Xavi could go for his midfield 4 of Pedri, Gavi, Busquets and Frenkie, sacrificing a winger in the process. This means that Robert Lewandowski will be flanked on the left by Gavi ( or Pedri) and Raphinha on the right.
Where and when are Real Betis vs Barcelona playing?
Location: Seville, Spain
Stadium: Estadio Benito Villamarín
Date: Wednesday 1 February
Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 EST / 12:00 PST 21:00 🇳🇬
Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea
Real Betis are capable of finding the net against Barcelona at home, even on their worst days, but Barça have always outscored their opponents in the Villamarin. Expect a tightly contested game with goals involved, but the Catalan giants are favored here.
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