On the back of improving their goal difference by a healthy number, Barcelona visit Real Betis to add them to their list of scalps this season. Real Betis will look to defend more than just their pride as they could still mathematically get drawn into the drop zone, however, unlikely that may be.
Real Betis lie 13th in the table and Barcelona are right up at the top of the standings. However, Barcelona do have Atletico Madrid breathing down their necks and will hope to avoid any late drama in the race as we enter the final three games.
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Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Sony ESPN
Date and Time: 1 May 2016; 12:00 AM IST
Venue: Benito Villamarin
Live Stream: Starsports.com
Betting Odds: Real Betis 20/1; Draw 8/1; Barcelona 1/8 via Bet365
Team News
Real Betis
Real Betis may be without Juan Vargas and Bruno Gonzalez as both players remain out with knocks. Martin Montoya could come in at left back and Molinero might take over the defensive duties on the right flank. Heiko Westermann could be called in to take the game on centrally in defence.
Barcelona
Barcelona are set to field a full strength side once more as Atletico continue to remain level on points as La Liga enters its final stages. Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta will play in front of Sergio Busquets in midfield while Barcelona plays a full strength attack and defence. Jeremy Mathieu remains sidelined but is close to a recovery while Thomas Vermaelen remains a long-term absentee.
Probable Lineups
Real Betis (4-2-3-1): Adan; Molinero, Westermann, Pezella, Montoya; Petros, N’Diaye, Musonda, Joaquin, Ceballos; Castro
Barcelona (4-3-3): Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Form
Real Betis
Real Betis enter the fray with some indifferent form on them and safety practically done and dusted as a season objective. They come on the back of a loss to Sevilla but have won against Las Palmas before that which was itself preceded by a draw to Celta Vigo.
Last 5 Matches: L-W-D-W-L ( Last Match: Sevilla 2-0 Real Betis)
Barcelona
Barcelona did have a midway mini-slump to deal with where they lost to Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and Valencia back to back to hand Atletico a way into the title race. However, they’ve won two back to back since and how! They’ve scored 14 goals in the last two games. That’s right, 14!
Last 5 Matches: L-L-L-W-W (Last Match: Barcelona 6-0 Sporting Gijon)
Key Stats:
- Barcelona have won their last 5 matches against Real Betis in all competitions.
- Barcelona have scored at least 3 goals in their last four matches against Real Betis in all competitions.
- Barcelona are undefeated in 12 of their last 13 away matches.
- Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 9 away matches.
What the Managers Have to Say:
Real Betis
Real Betis manager Juan Merino has been credited with doing a lot of good things at Real Betis this season and he betrayed an innate honesty in his press conference as he spoke of respect for Barcelona and also the fact that they will probably face the Barcelona team at full strength but will nevertheless will try to go for the win. About the manner in which Barcelona have gone about their business in the last few games, Merino had this to say:
“When you see 0-8 wins for your opponent, it makes you feel alarmed. You can lose but not in such manner. I ask my players for commitment and solidity. We will give everything but we need more than just a 100% to win this match. "
Barcelona
Luis Enrique seems quite calm and quietly confident about winning the game even if his words line up to promote another thought. He does feel this is the toughest of the remaining games and is wary of things going wrong. He says:
“It could work either way so we're not concerned with whether or not our opponents have something to play for or not. We just need to try to win the game. We know it'll be tough against Betis, especially given we're playing away from home.”
Key Battles:
Luis Suarez vs Heiko Westermann
Luis Suarez will probably need a brick wall to stop him at the moment. Perhaps that too may fall short, considering the sort of form he is in. As if 47 goals and 18 assists in all competitions this season wasn’t enough for the Uruguayan forward, he also has 8 goals and 3 assists in the last 2 games!
The Uruguayan is without a shadow of doubt, having a sublime season and could well run away with the European Golden Boot this time around. His goal and assist tally will be a sufficient form of intimidation for any defender albeit this time he faces the veteran Heiko Westermann.
Westermann isn’t the quickest off the mark but his ability to read a game properly and position himself to negate threats could do him some good here. It will be an interesting match up even if Luis Suarez is favorite to win this duel.
Lionel Messi vs Martin Montoya
It isn’t a well-kept secret that Barcelona flourish when Lionel Messi is on fire and could end up equally toothless when Lionel Messi needs to switch off. Lucky for Barcelona, he doesn’t look like he is going to stop anytime soon as he moves through the gears in the games that arrive in front of him with ease.
Lionel Messi will look to take Barcelona over the finish line with another sublime performance, this time against a known face. As things stand, Martin Montoya, the man who donned a Barcelona jersey till last season comes forward to stop the man who personifies the team.
Martin Montoya has been in great nick since changing loan sides from Inter Milan to Real Betis in the winter window. If he ever had an opportunity to show his parent club that he deserved to play for them all along, stopping the talisman may be a fantastic way to start that conversation off.
Prediction
Real Betis could be lucky to avoid a hiding considering the form Barcelona is in.
Real Betis 0-3 Barcelona
