FC Barcelona vs Betis: Tough challenge to confirm the lead and extend the winning streak

The FC Barcelona will play this Saturday the match corresponding to matchday 30 of LaLiga EA Sports, with only nine matches left to reach the title and with a three-point lead over Real Madrid, in addition to the 'invisible point' that the direct confrontation represents (4-0 in favor of the Catalans), not to mention the goal difference, where the Blaugrana are also clearly superior. They will face Manuel Pellegrini's Betis, a always dangerous rival.

• 📺 Schedules and TV: when and where to watch the match live in Spain, Europe, America, Africa, and Asia: WATCH

The 'verdiblancos' already took two points from Barça in the first round at the Benito Villamarín (2-2). Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres put Hansi Flick's team ahead on a couple of occasions, but goals from Lo Celso and Diao rescued a draw for the locals at the Benito Villamarín. In January, they faced each other again, in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, but in Montjuïc. There, Barça asserted their superiority with a 'manita' (5-1). Gavi, Koundé, Raphinha, Ferran, and Lamine Yamal scored in the Blaugrana celebration, while Vitor Roque scored for the Andalusians.

Now without 'Tigrinho' in their squad, but with the also Brazilian Antony, the Betis team returns to Barcelona looking to surprise against a team that in 2025 has been, by far, the best in the world. The Catalans have 18 victories and 3 draws in 21 appearances, with nine consecutive wins in La Liga and a spot secured for the Copa del Rey final. Additionally, they are alive in the Champions League, where they will face Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals.

Barça arrives in top form against a dangerous rival

In that sense, the Blaugrana arrive at the final stretch of the season in their best moment, although aware of the danger that Betis represents. For now, Manuel Pellegrini's team is sixth with 47 points, but tied with Villarreal (5th) and only 6 points behind Athletic Club, who is in fourth place. With Atlético Madrid (3rd) practically out of the 'race' for the title (they are 9 points behind after the draw against Espanyol), Real Madrid is shaping up as the main contender for Barça in the final stretch of the season.

Hansi Flick's team, however, has shown no signs of weakness this 2025. After the draw against Getafe (1-1) on matchday 20, the Catalans have nine consecutive victories. Valencia, Alavés, Sevilla, Rayo, Las Palmas, Real Sociedad, Atlético de Madrid, Osasuna, and Girona have failed in their attempts to stop an undefeated team in all competitions since December 21.

Thus, with 27 points left to play for, Barcelona presents itself not only as the main candidate to win LaLiga, but also for the treble. The squad maintains high hopes, but with their feet firmly on the ground to face each match with the seriousness needed to achieve results. Whether with thrashings or tight victories, the Catalans have learned to manage results without sacrificing the quality of their football or renouncing the style that has yielded such good results throughout the season.

On the other hand, like Barça, Betis also has a European competition match this week. The Andalusians will host Jagiellonia Białystok from Poland next Thursday in the quarter-finals of the Conference League. A day earlier, Flick's team will do the same in Montjuïc against Dortmund. Hence, the coach may again consider adjusting several positions in his starting XI.

• 📋 Squad: the list of players called up by Barcelona for the match: WATCH

Hansi Flick will give some starters a break, thinking about the Champions

Unless there is a surprise, Ronald Araujo and Iñigo Martínez will once again be the team's center-backs, although it is also not ruled out that the Basque rests, in which case Pau Cubarsí would return to the lineup after missing the matches against Osasuna (3-0) and Girona (4-1) due to an injury to his right ankle. The other option would be to bet on Eric García, but the Catalan is aiming for the midfield, accompanying Pedri.

Without Marc Casadó and with Frenkie de Jong somewhat battered after the Copa semi-final return, the '24' must lend a hand as a pivot, a role he performed well last Sunday against his former team, Girona. Jules Koundé would remain on the right side, with Gerard Martín returning to the XI in place of Alejandro Balde. Another player hoping to return to the starting lineup on Saturday is Gavi, who was preserved for precaution on Wednesday in the Metropolitano.

In attack, there should be no changes with the offensive trio, although Raphinha showed against Atlético that, after the FIFA date, he is still not at 100%. If the Brazilian stays on the bench, Fermín López would again be the chosen one to occupy the left side of the Catalan attack, alongside Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski. Ferran Torres, the hero of the victory in the 'colchonero' stronghold, will again wait for his opportunity on the bench.

• ℹ️ Lineups: the possible starting XI of FC Barcelona and Atlético: WATCH

Betis will also arrive at Montjuïc on a streak

Beyond the absence of Isco Alarcón, due to suspension, Betis arrives with renewed confidence at Montjuïc. The 'verdiblancos' have also accumulated their last 18 points at stake, with victories against Real Sociedad (3-2), Getafe (1-2), Real Madrid (2-1), Las Palmas (1-0), Leganés (2-3), and Sevilla (2-1). The last defeat of the Andalusians, in La Liga, was on February 8 at Balaídos, against Celta (3-2). On February 20, they would fall again against Gent, but in the Conference League (0-1).

Despite this, Manuel Pellegrini's team visits a place where they usually suffer heavy defeats. In La Liga, they have not even managed to score a goal in their last two trips to Catalan soil (5-0 last season, 4-0 in 22-23), although in 21-22 they managed to win narrowly (0-1) against a Barcelona that was just starting the Xavi Hernández cycle. Before that visit, there were two consecutive 'manitas' from the Blaugrana (5-2 in 2019 and 2020). In 2018-19, Betis had won at Camp Nou in a thrilling match (3-4).

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