Hansi Flick’s Barcelona will be looking for their sixth straight win in La Liga when they hit the road to face Real Betis at Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Barcelona have recently taken control of the 2025/26 La Liga title race, and they will be eager to retain their top spot with a win over Real Betis away from home at Estadio Benito Villamarin on Saturday.
The home team are fifth on the points table with 24 points in their 14 outings. The Andalusian outfit are seven points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, but they do have a game in hand. Meanwhile, they have a four-point cushion over seventh-placed Getafe.
Real Betis have been unbeaten in their last four league outings, winning two of those fixtures. They secured a 2-0 win over Sevilla in their last league outing and are heading into this fixture on the back of three straight wins across competitions.
The visitors are top of the table following a run of five straight wins in the league. Hansi Flick’s charges have 37 points in their 15 outings, and they have a one-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid.
Following their 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea, the Catalan giants have recorded 3-1 wins over Deportivo Alaves and Atletico Madrid. Given their clinical performance against Diego Simeone’s men, Barcelona are clear favourites to win here as well. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Real Betis
The home team have a massive boost ahead of this big clash as Antony is back available after serving a suspension last time out. Hector Bellerin and Isco remain on the sidelines, while Sofyan Amrabat and Giovani Lo Celso will undergo late fitness tests to determine their availability.
Real Betis will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Alvaro Valles will be in goal. Aitor Ruibal and Valentin Gomez should be the full-backs, while Natan will pair up with Marc Bartra in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Marc Roca and Sergi Altimira will form the double pivot in the middle of the pitch. They will look to shield the backline and ensure Barcelona do not dominate the ball too deep in their half.
Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli will feature on the flanks, eagerly waiting for an opportunity to hit Barcelona on the break. Finally, the highly sought-after Cucho Hernandez will spearhead the Real Betis attack against Barcelona.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Valles; Ruibal, Natan, Bartra, Gomez; Altimira, Roca; Antony, Fornals, Ezzalzouli; Hernandez
Barcelona
The visitors will be without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and Dani Olmo because of injury. Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo has taken an indefinite break from football because of mental health issues.
However, Barcelona do have a boost ahead of the game against Real Betis, as Frenkie de Jong is back available after missing the last outing because of illness. The Catalan giants will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Joan Garcia will continue in goal.
Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs, while Pau Cubarsi could partner Gerard Martin in the heart of the defence. As for the midfield unit, de Jong and Eric Garcia should form the double pivot. They will look to dictate the pace of this fixture.
Pedri could be moved up to a number ten role, while Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will feature on the flanks. Finally, Robert Lewandowski should continue to lead the line for Barcelona against Real Betis this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde; de Jong, Eric Garcia; Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won 86 out of their last 142 fixtures against Real Betis, who have 30 wins in those meetings.
- The last outing between the two teams back in April ended in a 1-1 draw.
- Barcelona have won their last five league outings.
- Real Betis have failed to win any of their last nine games against Barcelona.
- Barcelona have not lost an away game against Real Betis since 2008.
Player to Watch
Robert Lewandowski
Since regaining full fitness, Lewandowski has amassing four goals and an assist in his five league outings. However, the Pole has not really been at his best since bagging a hat-trick against Celta Vigo back in November.
Having failed to bag a goal in his last two league outings, the veteran Polish striker will be eager to add to his tally of eight league goals when he takes the field against Betis. The 37-year-old will look to find the back of the net and help his team keep their winning streak alive.
Prediction
Real Betis 1-2 Barcelona
Barcelona head to the Benito Villamarín in red-hot form, having stormed to five straight league wins and seized control of the title race under Hansi Flick. With Pedri pulling the strings, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha offering width, and Robert Lewandowski eager to return to the scoresheet, the visitors have the firepower and rhythm to trouble a Betis side that often struggles in this fixture.
Real Betis, however, will not make it easy. Manuel Pellegrini’s men are unbeaten in four league games and have won three straight across competitions, with Antony’s return providing a major boost. Their pace on the break and home support could create problems, but the Catalan giants’ quality in the final third should ultimately prove decisive. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the away team.