Betis-Barcelona is a Week 17 La Liga rescheduled fixture and is played on Wednesday at 21:00: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
Nearly a month ago Betis and Barcelona faced each other in the desert climate of Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup Final Four. It was a match with a high level of spectacle, with Manuel Pellegrini’s green-and-whites managing twice – once in regulation time and once in extra time – to catch the Blaugrana, who had taken the lead first through Lewandowski and then Ansu Fati. Betis’ two goalscorers were instead Fekir and Moron.
The penalty kicks later did not reward the courage and personality of the Andalusian team, who were able to hold their own against the team currently at the top of the La Liga standings and who would win their first title in 2023 a few days later, beating arch-rivals Real Madrid in the final in Riyadh. Juanmi and William Carvalho’s mistakes from the penalty spot were decisive, while Xavi’s men missed none. Barça’s roster has been impressive since they started playing again. The Catalans are continuing to rack up victories, they are unbeaten and the only false step – if you can call it that – is the draw in the derby with Espanyol last 31 December. Since then, Barcelona have not stopped, collecting success after success in all competitions.
Xavi dreams of an extension
In La Liga he is trying to take the lead after breaking away from Real Madrid: last weekend the gap became five points, following Carlo Ancelotti’s Blancos’ setback against Real Sociedad.
Borja Iglesias
The Blaugrana, on the other hand, got the better of the Catalan derby against Girona thanks to a Pedri goal in the second half. Betis also had a narrow victory, bouncing back immediately after three defeats in a row between the Supercup, Copa del Rey and La Liga, picking up three platinum points at home to Getafe. In doing so, the green-and-whites avoided losing ground to fourth-placed Atletico Madrid and fifth-placed Villarreal, two rivals that remain very close. In Barça, both Lewandowski and Ferran Torres return from suspension, while Pellegrini will be able to field the standard eleven.
The Prediction
Tough trip for a Barcelona side who have produced little offensively in recent matches, benefiting from the now proverbial solidity of their defence and especially the miracles of goalkeeper ter Stegen. The Blaugrana are expected to avoid defeat but the feeling is that it will be a very tight Super Cup-like match, with both teams scoring.
Betis-Barcelona’s likely line-up
- BETIS (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva; Sabaly, Luiz Felipe, Pezzella, Miranda; William Carvalho, Guido; Fekir, Canales, Luiz Henrique; Borja Iglesias.
- BARCELONA (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Jordi Alba, Christensen, Araújo, Koundé; Busquets, de Jong, Pedri; Gavi, Lewandowski, Ferran Torres.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
