After ending a recent poor run at home, Barcelona now travel to Real Betis on Saturday as they look to strengthen their hold on second position in La liga.
Despite sitting outside the Champions League places, manager Manuel Pellegrini can still consider this a successful campaign for Real Betis. They won the Copa Del Rey a fortnight ago and still hold a slim chance of a top four finish, sitting three points behind Atletico Madrid.
Although Real Betis are still alive in the top four race, they have struggled to find their best form in the league in recent weeks. They are winless in their last three La Liga matches and were held to a 0-0 draw by Getafe in their previous fixture.
They have failed to find the net in their last three La Liga matches and were beaten 1-0 by Elche in their previous fixture at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Barcelona are back to winning ways at home as they claimed a 2-1 victory over Mallorca last time out in La Liga. They raced to a two-goal lead through Memphis Depay and Sergio Busquets before the visitors pulled one back in the second half.
That result gave Barcelona some breathing room in second place as there is now a two-point gap over Sevilla in third. Their task for the rest of the season will be to consolidate their position and attempt to maintain their fine away form on Saturday.
While Barcelona have struggled on home soil lately, it has been a smooth ride on their travels. Xavi’s men have won their last five away matches in La Liga and claimed a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in their previous fixture on the road.0
How the bookies view it
Barcelona have been installed as favourites by the bookies and are priced at 17/16 by SBK to claim the win. Real Betis are considered outsiders at home at 23/10 with Betfred while a draw is set at odds of 5/2 by Paddy Power.
Recent head to head
Barcelona often claim the upper hand in this fixture, winning five of the last six matches. Real Betis earned a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture but the Catalans have won the last three meetings at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Players to watch
Although Real Betis have found things difficult going forward lately, Juanmi still carries a major attacking threat having scored 14 La Liga goals this season. The striker also netted the winner in the reverse fixture and is priced at 49/20 by Unibet to get in the score sheet on Saturday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was not among the goals in the win over Mallorca but remains the one to watch for Barcelona. The striker has seven goals in his last five away matches in La Liga and could be worth considering to score anytime on Saturday at 7/5 with Unibet.
Anything else catch the eye?
Barcelona and Real Betis often serve up thrilling encounters with the last three meetings at the Estadio Benito Villamarin producing over 3.5 goals. A similar outcome is priced at 17/10 by Sport Nation.
There have been more goals after the break in the last three meetings, so the second half could be tipped as the highest scoring half at 11/10 with Paddy Power. Both teams have also scored in the second half in two of the last three fixtures and could be set for a repeat at 15/8 with Paddy Power.
This La Liga match between Real Betis and Barcelona will be played on May 7, 2022 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Real Betis vs Barcelona prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
