La Liga: Barca vs Betis is Box Office Stuff

Barcelona vs Real Betis

Third plays seventh at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis in Barcelona as Real Betis visit the Blaugrana for the re-opening of the 2023/24 La Liga campaign.

Xavi’s Barca have made a decent start at their new temporary home and sit with 10 points from four games, just two points behind league leaders Real Madrid, while Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis are four places back with seven points.

Los Verdiblancos finished sixth last term, and they are capable of matching or bettering that position, but they have not had an easy start with matches against Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club already played.

A match against Barca is another huge test for Betis, and their hosts will be in no mood to give them an inch as they aim to topple their El Clasico rivals from the top of the table.

Talking Points

Gundogan fit for Barca

After drawing their opener with Getafe, Barcelona have won all three of their following games, and they went into the international break with a 2-1 victory away to Osasuna as Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski were on target.

So, with a good set of La Liga 2023 betting results to open up their campaign, the Blaugrana are in a strong position to launch a defence of their 2022/23 title.

Xavi is without midfield ace Pedri for up to six weeks, and so the news that Ilkay Gundogan is likely to be fit to face Real Madrid is a relief to the manager.

The 32-year-old German international has fit into the Barca team seamlessly since his summer arrival from treble winners Manchester City, and he has shown in his four games for the Catalans so far what a class act he is. Gundogan is an intelligent player, able to dictate the pace of play and make space for his teammates with his strong running or clever passing.

Alongside Frenkie de Jong, Oriol Romelu, and Pedri, when fit, he is the focal point of a nicely balanced midfield four.

Gavi has stepped in while Pedri is sidelined, and he looks set to continue along with Gundogan, who initially looked doubtful when he left the field during Germany’s match with France, seemingly distressed. But the Barca medics have taken a look at the player and he has suffered a minor, if painful, knock, and will be injury free to face Betis.

The latest La Liga 2023 betting odds currently give Los Blancos an edge at a price of 1.75 to win the title, while the Blaugrana are priced at 2.60 and Gundogan’s presence, along with Pedri’s eventual return, will be key factors.

Jose’s hot start for Betis

Pellegrini’s men picked up their second win of the season at home to Rayo Vallecano as Willian Jose scored the only goal of the game to make it three for the season so far.

The Brazilian striker was a big player at Real Sociedad for six seasons, scoring 52 goals in 143 appearances, and he impressed on loan at Betis in 2021/22, making the move permanent last season.

Alongside Spain star Borja Iglesias, Willian Jose is a handful for defenders, and with support coming from the attacking midfielder Isco, this can be a potent attack.

After a stop start loan spell at Sevilla, Isco looks settled with Betis and is looking to rediscover the form which earned him 246 appearances for Real Madrid and 38 for Spain.

Betis’ last away game against Athletic Bilbao turned out to be a miserable afternoon in many ways for Los Verdiblancos as they lost 4-2, but goals from Jose and Isco gave some cause for optimism, and they responded with a win over Rayo Vallecano.

History

Barcelona have won 36 of the 55 meetings between these two sides over the past 30 years. Betis have won 10 and there have been nine draws.

Last season, Barca spanked Betis at the Camp Nou 4-0 as the Blaugrana went 11 points clear, and they gave a debut to 15-year-old winger Lamine Yamal who became Barcelona’s youngest-ever player.  The Catalans recent form is much better too with five wins and a draw from their last six compared to Betis’ two wins, one draw, and three defeats.

Betting Tip

Betis are at SBOTOP odds of 1.79 with the 1.50 goals advantage, and they do have the incentive that they can draw alongside Barcelona with a win on Saturday. But I think it will be a step too far, and Pellegrini’s team’s tough start to the campaign will take its toll.

While the Camp Nou is in renovation, Barcelona aim to make the Estadi Olimpic their fortress, and an alterative bet is Barca to win 2-0 at 6.76, the shortest price for a correct scoreline, or 2-3 goals at 2.05. I’m backing the Blaugrana to win this fixture in some comfort again.

 

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