International Football News, National Soccer Teams, Previews International football in bite-size piecesRelated Articles
Kick off: Wednesday, 30 December @19:30 GMT
Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona)
Head to head record
Barcelona vs Real Betis 3-1 (2013/2014 La Liga)
Real Betis vs Barcelona 1-4 (2013/2014 La Liga)
Barcelona vs Real Betis 4-2 (2012/2013 La Liga)
Real Betis vs Barcelona 1-2 (2012/2013 La Liga)
Real Betis vs Barcelona 2-2 (2011/2012 La Liga)
Barcelona vs Real Betis prediction
Buoyed by the win over River Plate in the FIFA Club World Cup final, Barcelona welcome Real Betis at their Camp Nou in their final game in 2015. The Catalan giants want to finish the year on a high and it remains to be seen if los Beticos are capable of making a miracle in Catalonia.
Barca aim to put icing on the cake
Barcelona dropped four points in previous two La Liga fixtures. Following a 1-1 draw with Valencia at Estadio de Mestalla, the title holders shared the spoils with Deportivo La Coruna at their Camp Nou on Matchday 16. However, Luis Enrique’s men did remarkably well to clinch the FIFA Club World Cup trophy, with the team beating River Plate of Argentina in the title game. The Catalans are certainly brimming with confidence ahead of the visit of Real Betis and seeing that important attacker Neymar has overcome his injury, there is every chance the league leaders will extend their impressive goal-scoring run on Wednesday night. It has to he be noted that Luis Enrique’s team have netted at least one goal in each of their previous twelve games in all competitions. Leo Messi scored a brilliant goal from the free kick against Deportivo and the opposition defenders are likely to have their work cut out for them when facing the “Argentine magician”.
Neymar returns to the starting line-up after missing the Real Betis game with injury. As a result, Sandro Ramirez will drop to the bench. Luis Enrique is likely to stick to the 4-3-3 formation.
Watch the Match via bet365 Live Stream
Uphill task for Beticos
The 2015/2021 Primera Division campaign has been a mixed bag for Real Betis so far. The Andalusian side sit in 11th place in the standings ahead of Matchday 17 and it has to be noted that the team’s defence appear very resilient – conceding just twice in last four league games. On the other hand, los Beticos have not been impressive in front of goal of late and I do not believe that they are capable of finding the net in Wednesday’s clash against Barcelona. Pepe Mel’s men head into the match following a goalless draw with Sevilla in the local derby, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry on day 17 of the 2015/2021 La Liga campaign. Real Betis have already recorded four wins on the road this season, but beating the star-studded defending champions at Camp Nou is easier said than done. A man to watch in the away side will be Ruben Castro, who has netted eight goals this term to date.
Jorge Molina has been left out of the squad, but Pepe Mel has no fresh selection worries ahead of the trip to Barcelona. Dutch attacker Ricky van Wolfswinkel is pushing for a start.
Quick Facts
- Barcelona scored 2+ goals in each of their previous seven home games
- Over 3.5 goals were scored in three of Barca’s last four home fixtures
- Luis Enrique’s men netted 11 goals in previous three meetings with Real Betis
- Betis recorded their last win at Camp Nou back in 2005
- Los Beticos suffered only one loss in previous seven away fixtures
- Pepe Mel’s men scored 1+ goal in each of their last seven meetings with Barca
Barcelona vs Real Betis betting tip
David faces Goliath at Camp Nou. After failing to beat Valencia and Deportivo in previous two league matches, Barcelona players will definitely leave their hearts on the field in order to pick up all three points from Wednesday’s La Liga game against Real Betis. Neymar returns to the starting line-up and seeing that Leo Messi and Luis Suarez have been scoring goals for fun of late, there is every chance los Beticos will suffer a heavy loss to Barca on Matchday 17.
Tip: Over 4.5 goals
Odds: 2.25 (5/4) @BetVictor
If you are looking for a reputable website to place your sports betting wagers at, why not check out our selection of top online bookmakers, featuring bonus info, reviews, important details and more.
Daily Specials
| Event | Promotion | Claim | Expiring |
|---|---|---|---|
| L'pool v Sunderland | Liverpool to score is 5/1 (exclusive) | Claim | @19:45 |
| L'pool v Sunderland | Liverpool to win & BTTS is 7/2 | Claim | @19:45 |
| L'pool v Sunderland | Liverpool to win by 2 or more is 9/4 | Claim | @19:45 |
| L'pool v Sunderland | Benteke to score & Liverpool to win is 5/2 | Claim | @19:45 |
| Europe | Liverpool & Atletico Madrid is 2/1 | Claim | @17:15 |
| UK | Liverpool, Hearts & Motherwell is 8/1 | Claim | @19:45 |
| La Liga | Real, Levante, Atletico & Sevilla is 6/1 | Claim | @19:45 |
| Dundee v Celtic | Celtic to win & BTTS is 2/1 | Claim | @19:45 |
