La Liga | Gameweek 30

Apr 5, 2025 at 8pm UK

Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys

Barcelona vs Betis

Match preview

Barcelona are a winning machine at the moment, having won each of their last seven games in all competitions and taking maximum points from their last nine league games to take control of the title race.

Hansi Flick's side beat Girona 4-1 in La Liga last weekend and, with 66 points from 29 games, they are now three points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

Barcelona are fighting on three fronts in the closing stages of the campaign, having booked their place in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final.

The Catalan giants will face Real Madrid in the final of that competition at the end of April, while they host Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final next week.

Given Barcelona's incredible firepower, a spectacular treble is not out of the question - they have now found the back of the net 82 times in 29 league games this season, 20 more than reigning champions Real Madrid.

However, Real Betis will pose a stiff challenge to Barcelona this weekend, as the Sevilla side are in superb form, having won each of their last six league games, including a 2-1 victory in the Sevilla derby last time out.

Manuel Pellegrini's side sit sixth in the standings, seven points clear of seventh-placed Rayo Vallecano, level on points (47) with fifth-placed Villarreal and just six behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

Los Blancos have won three of their last four away games in La Liga, scoring five times in their last two, and their most recent win was at home to Real Madrid.

Real Betis held Barcelona to a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture in Seville earlier this season, but were thrashed 5-1 by the Catalan giants when the two sides met in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey in January.

However, the Sevilla side have a recent away win over Barcelona to their name, a 1-0 victory in December 2021, and Pellegrini's men will go into the clash full of confidence given their recent form.

Recent Performance

Barcelona La Liga form:WWWWWW

Barcelona form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Real Betis La Liga form:WWWWWW

Real Betis form (all competitions):WDWWWW

Team News

Barcelona will be without the services of Dani Olmo, Marc Casado, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen due to injury, while Lamine Yamal's status remains under review.

The 17-year-old suffered a nasty cut to his foot in the Copa del Rey clash with Atletico on Wednesday night, but the Spain international is expected to be available for selection this weekend.

Flick could make two changes to the side that started in the capital last time out, with Robert Lewandowski and Gavi coming in for Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez.

Ronald Araujo is another option in the centre of defence, but Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez have both been outstanding for the Catalan giants in the 2024-25 campaign.

As for Real Betis, on-loan Manchester United attacker Antony, who has been in excellent form since arriving in Seville ahead of the January transfer window, will start on the right-hand side.

Marc Roca remains a doubt with a foot problem, while key attacker Isco is suspended after picking up a yellow card against Sevilla last time out.

Giovani Lo Celso's introduction for Isco is likely to be the only change to the side that took the kick-off in the Sevilla derby, with Pablo Fornals set to retain his place in a deeper midfield role.

Possible starting lineup

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Adrian; Sabaly, Bartra, Llorente, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Lo Celso, J Rodriguez; Hernandez