Barcelona vs Real Betis: Los Verdiblancos disappointing away record set to continue
Barça vs Betis – Camp Nou – Sunday 11th November – Kick off 3.15pm UK time
Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona host Real Betis at Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon and with Betis only winning one game away from home in the league, the trend will likely continue.
Barça enter this game on the back of three straight wins in La Liga, including the 5-1 triumph over Real Madrid in the El Clásico.
Los Verdiblancos however, enter this game without a win in their last four league games where two of which were away from home.
The Catalans currently top La Liga, three points ahead of second placed Espanyol, experiencing just one defeat so far.
Quique Setién’s outfit find themselves languishing in 14th and have the leagues second worst goal scoring record. Only managing to find the net 8 times.
Results elsewhere for Leganes and Athletic Club this weekend would drag the Andalusians into a perilous position.
Valverde’s men came away with all three points when these two sides met at Camp Nou on the opening day of the 2017/2018 season and a repeat of that 2-0 score line would be more than satisfactory.
TEAM NEWS
The league leaders will be without Philippe Coutinho, who is expected to be out until the end of the month.
Lionel Messi remains a doubt and will probably not be risked until after the international break.
Loren Moron is expected to lead the line for the visitors, and Antonio Barragan will likely feature at right-back after Francis picked up a knock.
PREDICTED LINE UPS
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; S. Roberto, Piqué, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur; Rafinha, Suárez, Dembélé.
Real Betis (3-4-3): Pau López; Mandi, Bartra, Sidnei; Barragán, Guardado, Carvalho, Júnior; Canales, Loren, Lo Celso.
VERDICT
Betis have been accused of style over substance so far this season, and after struggling to score goals for the most part, Barcelona should extend their winning streak to four.
SCORE PREDICTION
Barcelona 3-0 Real Betis