Who: Real Betis vs Barcelona
Content: Spanish La Liga
Location: Estadio Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain
Date and time: Saturday 6th December, 6:30pm (17:30 GMT)
How to follow: All content will be broadcast on Al Jazeera Sports from 14:30 GMT, ahead of the text commentary stream.
Defending champions Barcelona face Real Betis on Saturday with a chance to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to four points, while second-placed Real Madrid do not play Celta Vigo until Sunday.
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However, it has been a mixed period for the Catalan giants, with Betis riding the crest of last season’s run to the European Conference finals.
Al Jazeera Sport looks at what could be the latest tough test for Hansi Flick’s Barça.
What are Barcelona’s La Liga results this season?
Barça beat title contenders Atlético Madrid 3-1 on Tuesday, making it their fifth straight league win.
This result gave the Catalans a four-point lead, but with Wednesday’s win over Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid narrowed the gap to one point.
Flick’s side suffered a major failure, losing three of their five games, culminating in October’s El Clasico loss to Real Madrid. It was their second defeat in the league this season, following a run of five consecutive La Liga wins during which they scored 17 goals and conceded just five.
What is Real Betis doing in La Liga this season?
Betis are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions (six wins), lifting the Seville-based club to fifth place in La Liga. However, there are 11 points separating them from the top four and Champions League qualification, making this game against the top team crucial for their ambitions this season.
Their last defeat was to Atlético Madrid, the team just above them who won 2-0 in Seville in October. This was Betis’ only defeat in 17 games in all competitions, of which they have won 10.
This match follows Betis’ appearance in the Copa del Rey in midweek, where they advanced with a 4-1 victory over Trento in Spain’s third tier.
Has Real Betis ever won La Liga?
Real won the La Liga title once, in 1934-1935. However, they have won the Copa del Rey title three times, the last time in 2022.
The team, who have won the Spanish second division seven times, finished runners-up to Chelsea in last season’s European Conference.
What happened the last time Real Betis played Barcelona?
The last time the two teams met in La Liga was in Barcelona in April, with the La Liga match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Gabi gave the home team the lead in the fifth minute, and the scoring was completed by Natan with Betis’ equalizing goal just 17 minutes later.
The comeback at Barcelona this season is currently scheduled to be the penultimate game in La Liga.
What happened in the corresponding match last season?
Last season’s La Liga match in Seville ended in a 2-2 draw on December 7th.
Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres gave Betis the lead twice, before Giovani Lo Celso’s penalty in the 68th minute and Assan Diao’s goal in the 90th minute brought Betis level.
When was the last time Barcelona beat Real Betis?
Between the two La Liga matches last season, the two teams faced each other in the Copa del Rey in Barcelona.
The home side won 5-1 in January with goals from Gabi, Jules Kounde, Rafinha, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal, before Vitor Roque leveled the score in the 84th minute with a penalty.
When was the last time Real Betis beat Barcelona?
The last time Real Betis beat Barcelona was in 2021 in a league match in the Catalan capital. Juanmi, who currently plays for Getafe, scored the only goal in the 79th minute.
Statistics Attack – Real Betis
Betis have only lost twice this season, both of which have come at home. They have won four games at home and are unbeaten away with two wins in seven league games.
They are also unbeaten in their last four games in La Liga, with two wins.
Statistics Attack – Barcelona
Barcelona have lost twice in the league this season, both on the road.
Although they have won all eight games at home, Barça’s journey has been more difficult as they have scored 16 goals and conceded 12 goals in seven away games, winning four of them.
In their last five away games, Flick’s side have lost three and drawn one, while conceding 14 goals on the road.
Match – Real Betis vs Barcelona
This was the 71st meeting between the two teams, with Barcelona winning 38 times and Betis taking the spoils from 10 meetings.
Barcelona are unbeaten in nine games against Betis in all competitions, winning six of them.
Real Betis team news
Former Manchester United forward Anthony returns to the squad after suspension. Sofian Amrabat and Giovani Lo Celso are doubts, while Hector Bellerin and Isco are both confirmed to be absent due to injury problems.
Former Barcelona attacker Abdé Ezarzouri is expected to return to the squad after extensive changes were made to the squad ahead of their Copa del Rey win against Trento on Tuesday.
barcelona team news
In addition to Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Gabi, Fermín López and Dani Oimo, who suffered a knock in the last game, are also on the injured list.
Ronald Araujo remains sidelined during his time away from football.
Frenkie de Jong, who missed the win against Atletico Madrid due to illness, will return to midfield.
Real Betis expected lineup
Valles; Ruibal, Natan, Bartra, Gomez. Altimira, Roca. Anthony, Fornals, Ezarzurri. hernandez
Barcelona’s expected lineup
J. Garcia. Kunde, Kvarsi, Martin, Barde. De Jong, E. Garcia. Yamal, Pedri and Rafinha. lewandowski
