La Liga preview and odds: Real Betis vs Barcelona

Published on: 29/04/2016

La Liga preview and odds: Real Betis vs Barcelona

April 30, 2016 20:30pm - Estadio Benito Villamarin

La Liga

Real Betis will continue their push for a top 10 finish at Estadio Benito Villamarin this weekend, while their opponents Barcelona have the small matter of a league title to defend.

Mid-table comfort for Real Betis

Real Betis have kept themselves clear of the battle for relegation in La Liga and can now concentrate on finishing as high up the league table as possible. In the congested mid-table area, the club from Seville could realistically finish as high as eighth - however, this weekend`s opponents are more than capable of scuppering their plans.

Los Beticos have lost just one of their last eight games on home soil, having won four and drawn the other three. They won their last two home games by just a single goal and held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw back in January.

No more slip-ups for Barca

Barcelona bounced back from their recent blip in form in spectacular style by scoring 14 goals without reply in two games - away to Deportivo La Coruna (0-8) and at home Sporting Gijon (6-0). Those wins ensured that they retained their place at the top of the table heading into the final three games.

The Catalan side are level on points with Atletico Madrid - but ahead by virtue of a superior head-to-head record - and just a point ahead of Real Madrid. Anymore slip-ups could see them lose their La Liga crown.

Striker Luis Suarez bagged eight goals during their recent revival and is on course to claim this season`s Pichichi crown ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Team news

The home side will be hampered by the absence of several players including Jorge Molina, Foued Kadir, Molinero, Didier Digard, Juan Vargas, and Cristiano Piccini.

Meanwhile, Luis Enrique will continue to operate without Thomas Vermaelen, Jeremy Mathieu and Sandro Ramirez.

Recent form (League)

Real Betis: LWDWL

Barcelona: WWLLL

Betting odds and tips

Ok, so Barcelona will be massive favourites for this one but Real Betis are tough to beat at home and the long price for a draw might just be worth a small stake.

You can back the draw at 8/1 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 29/04/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (29/04/2016 15:23:39) but are subject to change.