Real Betis vs Barcelona
It’s been another fine week for Barcelona, but there’s no time for the champions to take a breather as the fixtures come thick and fast.
And this weekend Ernesto Valverde takes his league leaders to the Benito Villamarin in Seville for another crucial La Liga clash against Quique Setien’s Real Betis. The hosts have plenty to play for, currently sitting in eighth and just a single point out of the European places.
As the final game of the weekend the 28th round of La Liga 2019 results will already be in and both sides will know exactly what they need to do. The Stadium will be rocking as a wave of green and white ebbs and flows with the action. Barca is sweeping all before it at the moment, but an away match against a Europe chasing side is always going to be a big test.
Talking Points
Barcelona fighting on two fronts
Valverde’s team was one of the few favourites to get through the Champions League Round of 16 with an emphatic win over Lyon. And they now have a big chance to go all the way in Europe’s top competition, particularly with PSG, Real Madrid and FC Bayern all out of the running.
Lionel Messi was mesmeric again in midweek, scoring twice and terrorizing the Lyon defence with a combination of direct and mazy runs. But Barca has such an array of attacking talent that if, and it’s a big ‘if’, Messi has an off day, then one of Luis Suarez or Ousmane Dembele can easily step up to dazzle opposition defences.
Such is the Blaugrana’s form that Asian Handicap SBOBET betting is the way to go, the best side in Spain can win with or without a handicap.
Real Betis’ 12th Man
The home side in this contest will certainly give it a good go, in front of a passionate crowd and on a decent run of form. Los Verdiblancos’ supporters are among the most loyal and vociferous in Europe, with their chant of ‘Viva el Betis aunque pierda! (Long live Betis even when they lose!)’ That tells you all you need to know, the Benito Villamarin crowd will keep on fighting for their heroes right to the final whistle.
They’ve had plenty to cheer over the last couple of years. In his second season as head coach Quique Setien wants to at least match last season’s sixth place finish. And with plenty of talent in their ranks Los Verdiblancos have every chance.
They are strong in midfield, with Portugal’s World Cup star William Carvalho a dominant figure, and Skipper Joaquin has four goals from the centre. He was on target the last time Real Betis was at home, but that was a 1-2 setback against Europe rivals Getafe.
The hosts lack a big goal scorer; Sergio Canales is top scoring with six, but he also has three assists and isn’t afraid to ruffle the feathers of opposing defences, picking up seven yellow cards this season. Giovanni Lo Celso is a lively presence up front and has five goals to his name. Betis left it late to pick up three points away to Celta Vigo last week, Jese scoring the only goal of the game on 80 minutes, but that made it two wins in three.
But the Andalusians look set to be without their full back pairing of Antonio Barragan and Junior Firpo, both injured, and keeper Pau Lopez knows very well he’s in for a busy time.
History
The hosts have a rich history, winning the league title in 1935 and the Copa del Rey in 1977 and 2005. But their head to heads with Barcelona have been difficult, losing 27 while winning and drawing nine in all the games since 1994.
It took Barca 80 minutes to see off relegation threatened Rayo Vallecano last week but that made it 12 games unbeaten for the Catalans. Their away form is impressive, with three consecutive wins, and nine wins from 13, including an unbeaten run of ten.
Los Verdiblancos have won two, drawn two and lost tow of their last six home league games.
Betting Tip
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Real Betis vs Barcelona | 2-3 goals @ 2.22 |
| March 18, 03:45(GMT+8) |
The Real Betis vs Barcelona betting odds point to another away triumph for the league leaders; with the latest odds of 1.47 on an away win; while Real Betis is at 6.40 and the draw is at 4.30.
Barca didn’t have it all their own way against Rayo last week and a well supported Betis side backed by a passionate crowd could push them all the way.
There will be goals in this game but I don’t see an avalanche and a 1-2 result is most likely at odds of 7.20.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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