2 weeks Ago By Olivier Neven
Red-hot FC Barcelona will host Real Betis on Saturday as the race for the La Liga title rages on. Barcelona extended their unbeaten run to 21 games with a huge 1-0 win over Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg on Wednesday, thanks to yet another goal by Ferran Torres. Barca will face Real Madrid in the final, setting up another tantalizing El Clásico bout with a title on the line.
The Blaugrana lead the race to the league table with 66 points, three ahead of Real and nine points clear of Atleti. They beat Catalan rivals Girona 4-1 last weekend, led by a Robert Lewandowski brace. Real Betis, meanwhile, defeated Sevilla 2-1 in the Seville Derby last weekend, going down a goal within 20 minutes but roaring back with two of their own in the first half to send the Benito Villamarin crowd home happy.
The Beticos currently occupy the final European qualification spot in sixth place, tied on 47 points with Villareal, and seven clear of Celta Vigo in seventh. Where to Watch FC Barcelona vs Real Betis in the USA Every single La Liga game can be streamed on ESPN+ in the United States, with Spanish language broadcast being offered on ESPN Deportes. When : Saturday, April 5 – 3PM ET / 12PM PT Where : Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys, Barcelona Where to watch in the United States : ESPN, ESPN+ FC Barcelona vs Real Betis Betting Odds FC Barcelona to win: -310 Draw: +460 Real Betis to win: +650 Both teams to score (Yes/No): -186 / +144 Over/Under 3.
5 goals: -106 / -116 Robert Lewandowski first goalscorer: +250 Raphinha anytime goalscorer: +105 Lamine Yamal to score or assist: -160 Odds courtesy of FanDuel . Real Betis Projected Lineup vs FC Barcelona Manuel Pellegrini will be without some of his top players for the trip to Barcelona, including star midfielder Isco, who will miss the game through suspension. La Masia product Abde Ezzalzouli is also expected to miss the contest with an ankle injury.
United States Soccer midfielder Johnny Cardoso could get the start in a midfield pivot alongside former West Ham United man Pablo Fornals, while Manchester United loanee Antony will the man to watch going forward. Winter signing Cucho Hernandez is expected to lead the line in attack. Real Betis predicted lineup (4-2-3-1) : Adrian (GK) – Youssouf Sabaly, Marc Bartra, Diego Llorente, Ricardo Rodriguez – Johnny Cardoso, Pablo Fornals – Antony, Giovani Lo Celso, Jesus Rodriguez Caraballo – Cucho Hernandez.
Injuries/suspensions : Abde Ezzalzouli (ankle), Marc Roca (foot), Nobel Mendy (knee), Angel Ortiz (ankle), Isco (yellow card accumulation). FC Barcelona Projected Lineup vs Real Betis Barca's top stars are in the form of their lives at the moment, and will hope to keep things rolling on Saturday. Pedri is staking his claim as the best midfielder in football on a weekly basis, and will surely get the start again in midfield, likely paired with Frenkie De Jong.
The lethal wing duo of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will torture the Betis defensive line, with Lewandowski finishing chances and looking to add to his league-leading 25 goals. Ronald Araujo could return to the back-line after missing out on the starting 11 against Atletico midweek. FC Barcelona predicted lineup (4-2-3-1) : Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Alejandro Balde – Frenkie De Jong, Pedri – Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha – Robert Lewandowski.
Injuries : Andreas Christensen (calf), Dani Olmo (muscle), Marc Casado (knee), Marc Bernal (ACL), Marc-André ter Stegen (knee). Kevin de Bruyne announced he will leave Manchester City this summer. Where to next? Tom Bogert and Ben Jacobs have the latest.
