Barcelona welcome Real Betis to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for the fifth round of La Liga on Saturday at 19:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Barcelona’s Fast Start to the La Liga Season
Xavi and his charges have started the La Liga season in flying form. They opened their La Liga campaign with a 0-0 draw away to Getafe in a match where both sides finished with 10 men after two red cards.
Barcelona had Raphinha sent off in the 42nd minute, with Getafe’s Jaime Mata given his marching orders in the 57th minute. Although La Blaugrana dominated 75% of the ball and attempted 14 shots to Getafe’s 5, they only managed 4 on target and could not make it count.
Xavi’s men had to respond in La Liga after dropping two points on opening day, and they have duly obliged by winning the subsequent three straight matches in La Liga. They beat Cadiz at home (2-0), Villarreal away from home (3-4), and Osasuna away from home right before the international break (1-2).
Xavi and his men will look to pick up from where they left after the international break when they host Real Betis on Saturday. A win will allow them to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top, who have started in equally fine form.
Real Betis’ Inconsistent Start to the Season in La Liga
Real Betis have started their La Liga season with mixed form. They have won twice, lost once, and drawn once. They have collected 7 points out of the available 12. In the four outings, Betis have scored 5 times and conceded 5 goals.
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Heading into the clash against Barcelona on Saturday, Manuel Pellegrini will look to address the balance of his team. They are not sharp in the final third and lack solidity at the back.
Coming up against the Barcelona attack away from home, Real Betis will need to be robust in their approach to stand a chance of taking something from the match. The choice for the gaffer will be whether to be compact and hard to beat or attack Barcelona.
Manuel Pellegrini has traditionally set his sides up to be proactive and attacking in their approach. However, when coming up against bigger teams like Barcelona, pragmatism is needed. Whether Pellegrini will tweak his tactics for the clash against Barcelona remains to be seen.
Injury Report
Barcelona
Xavi will be without Pedri, with the central midfielder recovering from a hamstring injury. The 20-year-old will be a big miss in the middle of the pack.
Barcelona are also without Ronald Araujo, who is sidelined with a muscle injury.
Central midfielder Fermin Lopez is suspended and will be unavailable for the visit of Real Betis.
Real Betis
Attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir is nearing his return from a cruciate ligament injury. However, the match against Barcelona might come too soon as the 30-year-old rehabilitates and works back into the matchday squad.
Possible Lineups
Barcelona
M ter Stegen; A. Balde, A. Christiansen, J. Kounde, S. Roberto; I. Gundogan, O. Romeu, F. de Jong; Havi, R. Lewandowski, L. Yamal
Real Betis
R. Silva; H. Bellerin, G. Pezzella, L. Felipe, J. Miranda; G. Rodriguez, M. Roca; Rodri, Isco, A. Perez; Willian Jose
Prediction
Barcelona will start the match on the front foot, dominating the ball and pushing Betis back into their box.
Real Betis will counter Barcelona by pressing higher up the pitch and counter-pressing when they lose the ball.
Barcelona will have too much for Real Betis. They will win the match and make it five consecutive wins in La Liga.
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