Barcelona VS Real Betis Match Prediction

Barcelona haven't lost to Betis in over five years now, though they nearly lost in their latest encounter.  Overall, the Catalans have 25 wins in the 42 matches played, with Betis taking eight wins and nine draws.  Here's a look at the last five matches played:

Jan 29, 2017: Betis 1-1 Barca
Aug 20, 2016: Barca 6-2 Betis
Apr 30, 2016: Betis 0-2 Barca
Dec 30, 2015: Barca 4-0 Betis
Apr 5, 2014: Barca 3-1 Betis

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Barcelona vs Real Betis Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Barcelona are at 1/6 to win, a draw is at 7/1, and a Real Betis win is at 14/1.

Even with all the issues Barcelona are having right now, it's hard to make a case for Real Betis in this match.  And that's given a 14 to one return on the money!  Betis simply aren't at the same level as the home side, who only lost once at home all lost season.

Despite the Neymar situation, the injuries, and the lack of signings and depth in key areas, Barcelona still have more than enough in their lockers to hammer Real Betis.

A wounded animal is a dangerous animal, and being back into a corner will not be taken lightly by them.

You can increase the odds on Barca by taking them to win and for Betis to score as well.  That is at 7/5.  It might be a bit of a long stretch, but Betis did score in both fixtures last season, so there is a decent basis for it.

Barcelona vs Real Betis Prediction

Barcelona's season must get off to a start with a good sized win, and we see them doing just that as they rack up the goals against Betis.

Correct Score Prediction: Barcelona 4-1 Real Betis

Team News

Ernesto Valverde appeared to lose both center back Gerard Pique and striker Luis Suarez to injuries in the Super Cup match with Real Madrid on Wednesday.  They join center midfielders Andres Iniesta and Rafinha on the list of players not likely to play.

Thomas Vermaelen is also injured, though, he is not wanted any longer at the club.  Deals for Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele are still being worked on, but they aren't likely to be ready here.

Key Man

With so much turmoil at the club currently, Barcelona desperately need their captain Lionel Messi to step up and lead the way.  They should be able to beat this Real Betis side with their bench players, but confidence is low at the moment, and they might just need a performance from their captain to help remind them that all will be well at Camp Nou.

Team Form

Barcelona have two losses, two wins, and a draw in their last five matches.  They faced Real Madrid in Miami in the ICC and won 2-3 before drawing 1-1 against Gimnastic in a friendly. They ended preseason with a 5-0 win over Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy.  In the two-legged Spanish Super Cup tie, they lost to Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate after a 3-1 home loss on Sunday and a 2-0 away loss on Wednesday.

Barcelona Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-3-3

Team News

Quique Setien has traded Las Palmas for Real Betis in the summer, and he will hope to have similar results to take the club up from 15th this season.  He has no suspension or injury worries here, and he will look to use the likes of new signings Andres Guardado and Javi Garcia to upset the odds here.

Key Man

Mexican international Andres Guardado joins Real Betis after a very successful spell in Holland with PSV, and he will look to follow that up with more success here.  The 30 year old has played in Spain before, so he knows what the league is about.  His passing is top-notch and it doesn't take him many chances to make the opposition pay for mistakes, so none can be made by the Catalans here.

Team Form

Real Betis have three losses and two wins in their last five friendlies.  They lost 3-0 at Eintracht before defeating Stuttgart 1-2.  

Next came a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cordoba, but they bounced back with a 1-2 win against AC Milan.  In their final tune up on Saturday, they lost 1-0 against Inter Milan.

Real Betis Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-4-2

Real Betis just about pulled off a huge shock last season when these sides last met, and that was an even stronger Barcelona side than the one that is currently being cobbled together. Barcelona have so many men out that a change in system away from the 3-5-2 doesn\'t look just likely, but absolutely necessary, for this match. Even with all of these injuries and all of the transfer speculation that is currently surrounding this club, it is difficult to see Barcelona not coming through at home in front of their fans with a massive victory.

Real Betis had more shots- 17 to ten- that Barcelona did in their last meeting back in January.