LA LIGA PREVIEW: BARCELONA VS REAL BETIS

The aim is to return to winning ways for Xavi's men. Can they do it against Real Betis?

It was another memorable trip to Vallecas for Barcelona, but once again, for the wrong reasons. Fortunately, the slip up did no damage to their standings in the table and will look to get their groove back as they take on Real Betis for the 3rd time this season, having overcome them in the Spanish Supercup Semi final and at the Benito Villamarin in La Liga. It's the last game of the month, and what better way to end it than with a convincing winning performance?

Real Betis will not roll over and play dead though. Having won only 1 of their last 5 games, they currently sit at 6th, behind Villareal and La Real. The least objective Manuel Pellegrini could achieve at this stage is European football. They won at the Camp Nou last season. Can they do it again?

INTERESTING STATS

- Barcelona have won seven of their last eight games against Real Betis in La Liga (L1). Their only defeat in this run came in their most recent home game against them in the competition (0-1 in December 2021).

- Barcelona will head into this game off the back of losing 1-2 to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. They have not lost two in a row since October 2021. 

- At home, they are one of three teams to have not suffered a defeat this season across the big five European leagues, alongside Union Berlin and Bayern Munich (W12 D3).

- Real Betis have won just one of their last five La Liga matches (D1 L3), 3-1 against Espanyol on 15 April, having won four of their previous six in the competition (D2).

- Real Betis have failed to score in three of their last five La Liga matches (W1 D1 L3), having found the back of the net in nine of their previous 11 league games (W6 D2 L3).

- Manuel Pellegrini has lost 12 of his last 13 games against Barcelona in La Liga (W1), having lost just four of his previous ten against them in the top flight (W4 D2).

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Massive boost for Xavi! Ousmane Dembele and Andreas Christensen have returned! Only Sergi Roberto remains as the first team player on the treatment table with a hamstring issue. For the first time in a while, Xavi has a fuily fit squad.

Christensen is likely to start right away, alongside Koundé, Araujo and Balde in defense, shielding Marc Andre TerStegen. Sergio Busquets returns from suspension and will slot right into the Midfield alongside Pedri and Frenkie. Gavi could play the false winger, as he's done many times, while Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha round up the attack. Dembele is expected to contribute at some point.

REAL BETIS

Manuel Pellegrini has 4 key players out: Nabil Fekir, Youssouf Sabaly, Juanmi and Victor Ruiz.  That doesn't take much away from the quality he has left at his disposal.

Rui Silva will be between the sticks. Luiz Felipe and German Pezzella will form the central defensive partnership, with Aitor Ruibal and Juan Miranda being the two full-backs. Guido Rodriguez and William Carvalho will be the doublt pivot. Sergio Canales will play centrally and be flanked by Luiz Enrique and Ayoze Perez, with Borja Iglesias looking to head the attack instead of Willian Jose.

Where and when are Barcelona vs Real Betis playing?

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Stadium: Camp Nou

Date: Saturday 29 April

Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande

VAR: Santiago Jaime Latre

Real Betis will not be taken for granted, mainly due to the fact that Barcelona lost their last game and won't want to disappoint their fans on home turf. A convincing performance will come in handy as they look to keep the gap at the top to at least 11 points.

LA LIGA PREVIEW: RAYO VALLECANO VS BARCELONA

Los Blancos faced their bogey team yesterday; it's time for the Blaugrana to face theirs.

The league leaders are back in action as they travel midweek to Vallecas in a bid to move closer to the La Liga title. Xavi's men were able to get back to winning ways this past weekend with another 1-0 win (their 10th in La Liga and 17th in all competitions this season) against Atlético Madrid, which, according to many, was their most difficult fixture left. This time, the match winner came from the boots of Ferran Torres. That victory, coupled with Real Madrid's loss to Girona yesterday, should serve as a confidence booster as they prepare to do battle with a team they've failed to beat since early 2021 in the Copa del Rey and 2019 in La Liga.

Rayo Vallecano, who finished 12th last season after gaining promotion to the top flight, are well on course to do better this season as they currently sit at 10th, 7 points behind 6th placed Villarreal. Their best finish however, remains 8th (12/13). They started the season well, with their opener against Barcelona ending goalless. 2023 however, has seen them take a bit of a slump, winning one of their last 10 games. Their head-to-head against Barcelona in recent times will give them confidence, but it's going to be much difficult to get a result against the vibrant Catalans this time around. One thing that's for sure though, is that they'll try till the final whistle.

INTERESTING STATS

- Barcelona have the best defence in the league, having conceded only nine goals so far.

- As far as the attack is concerned, Barcelona have the second-best attack, having scored 54 goals.

- Rayo Vallecano have an interesting record this season; they have won ten, lost ten and drawn ten out of their 30 matches.

- Barcelona have a good recent record against Rayo Vallecano and have won 15 out of the last 24 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Rayo Vallecano's four victories.

- Rayo Vallecano are unbeaten in their last three matches against Barcelona in La Liga and have kept clean sheets in each of these matches.

- Rayo Vallecano have won only one of their last five matches played on a Wednesday in La Liga but did secure a victory in such a game against Barcelona in October 2021

- Barcelona have only lost twice in the league all season long.

- Robert Lewandowski has scored 17 goals and has six assists for Barcelona in the league.

Last five meetings

2019 (Liga) Barça 3-1 Rayo

2021 (CDR) Rayo 1-2  Barça

2021 (Liga) Rayo 1-0  Barça 

2022 (Liga) Barça 0-1 Rayo

2022 (Liga) Barça 0-0 Rayo

TEAM NEWS

Rayo Vallecano 

Barcelona will be glad that Radamel Falcao, who has netted against the Catalans 4 times in 6 previous meetings, will be unavailable due to a muscle injury. Santi Comensaña is also ruled out due to suspension. Alvaro Garcia and Alejandro Catena however, have served theirs and will return to the starting XI.

Stole Dimitrievski will be in goal. Ivan Balliu and Fran Garcia will be the full-backs. Florian Lejeune will pair up with Alejandro Catena in the heart of the defence. Pathe Ciss will join Oscar Valentin to form the double pivot behind the trio of Isi Palazon, Oscar Trejo and Alvaro Garcia, while Sergio Camello will likely be picked ahead of Raul DeTomas as the striker.

Barcelona

The Blaugrana remain without Dembele, Christensen and Roberto due to injuries, although the former two should be returning against Real Betis over the weekend. Sergio Busquets will not travel to Madrid with the squad due to accumulation of yellow cards.

TerStegen will be in goal, with Koundé, Araujo, Alonso and Balde as the defense. Pedri and Frenkie DeJong were sorely missed, as eveidenced by their glorious return against Atlético Madrid and are expected to walk right into the midfield, alongside Gavi and probably Franck Kessie, even though Eric Garcia could be an option. Should Xavi decide to go with a 4-3-3 rather than a 4-4-2, Raphinha and Lewandowski will anchor the attack alongside one of Ferran Torres/Ansu Fati.

Where and when are Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona playing?

Location: Madrid, Spain

Stadium: Estadio de Vallecas

Date: Wednesday 26 April

Kick-off Time: 21:00 BST / 16:00 ET / 13:00 PT.

Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano

VAR: José Luis González González

Rayo Vallecano are known to be fearless at all times and will always fancy their chances of a victory, no matter the opposition. Their recent form may not be encouraging, but they can't be taken lightly. Barcelona will know that, and with the league title in sight, along with personal pride, the Catalans will be desperate to win this one.