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Horse Racing Betis vs Barcelona Prediction: Tips and Best Bets Preview
It’s a trip to Spain for our expert, Jack Wright to provide Betis vs Barcelona predictions, tips and best bets preview. The visitors return to La Liga action, following their Saudi excursions in the Spanish Super Cup, while the hosts could break into the top six with a win.
Can Robert Lewandowski continue his goal scoring streak which has seen him net in each of his last three outings for Barce? Will the hosts rise to the challenge as the most affected side due to the AFCON call up?
Betis vs Barcelona Prediction and Tips Preview
- Betis vs Barcelona Tip 1: Betis +0.75 Asian Handicap
- Betis vs Barcelona Tip 2: Under 2.75 Goal Line
- Betis vs Barcelona Tip 3: Betis Over 4.5 Corners
In this article:
- Betis vs Barcelona Team News
- The Predicted La Liga Table
- Betis vs Barcelona Stats Preview
- How to watch Betis vs Barcelona
- Safer Gambling
Betis vs Barcelona Tip 1: The Bet is Betis
Spain, La Liga, Sunday, January 21st, 17:30 (UK)
Barcelona kept themselves in the title race with a 2-1 victory at Las Palmas, thanks to a penalty from İlkay Gündoğan during added time. Even with that strike, the Catalan giants remained seven points adrift of joint leaders Real Madrid and Girona, who have since gone a point clear.
The victory in the Canary Islands papered over the cracks of regular defensive issues and followed on from edging a five goal thriller at home to Almeria. The La-Liga basement side came from behind twice to level the match before a late Sergi Roberto strike snatched all three points.
Since then, Xavi Hernandez has seen his side humiliated by Real Madrid in a 4-1 Spanish Super Cup thrashing in Riyadh. Reports suggest he is on the brink of losing his job amid suggestions of poor tactics and continued defensive errors.
Betis can exploit the state of vulnerability in their visitors, and especially with a former Los Blancos star in fine form. Isco Alarcon has been one of the top performers in La Liga this season and will operate in the area Barça have been the weakest – the gap between midfield and defence.
Los Verdiblancos are unbeaten at home in the league this term, winning six of their 10 fixtures, whilst only conceding four goals. Odds of 4.33 seem disrespectful to Manuel Pellegrini’s men, who have only suffered one defeat in their last 15 games at Estadio Benito Villamarín in the Spanish top flight.
As a result, we can take Betis +0.75 on the Asian Handicap, meaning if they extend their unbeaten home record, we get a full win. We receive a half stake return if the hosts lose by a single goal. This selection has only lost in one of Betis’ last 34 La Liga outings on home soil.
- Betis vs Barcelona Tip 1: Betis + 0.75 Asian Handicap (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 1.84
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
Betis vs Barcelona Tip 2: Goals always worth opposing at Estadio Benito Villamarín
It feels the question marks about Barcelona’s abilities to defend have pushed the goal line for this clash higher than it actually should be. The Blaugrana have already conceded more La Liga goals this season than the entirety of the last campaign, but it is likely under-pressure Xavi will dedicate time this week rectifying that glaring issue.
The departure of club legend Sergio Busquets and injury to Gavi have left the protection offered to Barça’s backline threadbare. Reports suggest that, as a temporary measure, defender Andreas Christensen could be deployed as the midfield brawn, a role he has carried out at Chelsea and for Denmark.
As they say, it also takes two to tango. Betis have a great record at home, but built on defensive solidity, as they have managed to score multiple goals themselves in three of their last 12 La Liga games in their own stadium.
None of Los Verdiblancos 10 home games have seen more than three goals, with only two hitting that number exactly. None of Barcelona’s last four road trips have featured four or more goals and only one had three.
The selection here gets a full return if there are under 2.5 goals, as has been the case in eight of Real Betis’s last nine La Liga games across all venues. If there are exactly three, we receive half a win. If the ball finds the back of the net four or more times, it will result in a loss.
- Betis vs Barcelona Tip 2: Under 2.75 Goal Line (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 1.98
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
Betis vs Barcelona Tip 3: Corners expected to feature prominently
The final selection focuses on the home side winning at least five corners in this contest. That particular set-piece has been a regular feature in their games at Estadio Benito Villamarín this term.
Manuel Pellegrini has his side playing with plenty of width, a tactic which of course will typically lead to winning a high number of flag kicks. In fact, no side in the Spanish top flight plays with a higher percentage of action down either flank than their 78%. A statistic that rises to 79% when playing on home soil.
Betis took five corners in the reverse fixture in September, a game they lost 5-0. They hit this line in each of their last eight home league matches, taking 62 at an average of 7.75 per game. Los Verdiblancos have hit this line in a league high 15 of their 20 La Liga fixtures this campaign.
Los Palmas took five flag kicks in Barcelona’s last road trip, despite taking a 12th minute lead. The Catalan giants have seen their opponents hit that number in four out of the last seven away games.
- Betis vs Barcelona Tip 3: Over 4.5 Corners by Betis (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 2.20
- Bookmaker: Unibet
- Stake: 7/10
Betis vs Barcelona Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12:00, January 16th, 2024. Odds may now differ.
Betis vs Barcelona Team News Preview: Injury issues mount for both sides
Eight players missed Betis’ last outing, the league victory over Granada. Injuries to Aitor Ruibal and Ayoze Perez during that game gave Manuel Pellegrini more selection headaches. Moroccan pair Abde Ezzalzouli and Chadi Riad will be with their country at the African Cup of Nations, as will Youssouf Sabaly of Senegal.
Barcelona have doubts to varying degrees over Marc Ter Stegen, Marcos Alonso, Gavi, Iñigo Martínez, João Cancelo and Raphinha. The only positive to come from the Super Cup debacle was a return to action of Pedri. Meanwhile, Xavi hasn’t lost any players to the AFCON.
The Predicted League Table
| posiTION | CLUB | GAMES | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 38 | 25.8 | 7.1 | 5.0 | 76.4 | 30.9 | 45.6 | 84.6 |
| 2 | Barcelona | 38 | 24.0 | 8.4 | 5.6 | 79.2 | 42.7 | 36.5 | 80.3 |
| 3 | Girona | 38 | 23.1 | 7.7 | 7.1 | 78.7 | 51.7 | 27.0 | 77.1 |
| 4 | Ath Bilbao | 38 | 22.5 | 8.8 | 6.7 | 72.7 | 37.9 | 34.8 | 76.3 |
| 5 | Atl. Madrid | 38 | 22.0 | 6.2 | 9.7 | 74.0 | 45.3 | 28.7 | 72.3 |
| 6 | Sociedad | 38 | 15.2 | 12.5 | 10.3 | 55.8 | 44.0 | 11.8 | 58.1 |
| 7 | Betis | 38 | 13.9 | 14.6 | 9.6 | 45.6 | 43.1 | 2.5 | 56.2 |
| 8 | Valencia | 38 | 14.4 | 9.9 | 13.7 | 46.8 | 45.7 | 1.1 | 53.1 |
| 9 | Getafe | 38 | 12.4 | 12.7 | 12.9 | 47.5 | 52.2 | -4.7 | 49.8 |
| 10 | Vallecano | 38 | 11.8 | 12.7 | 13.5 | 42.3 | 50.0 | -7.8 | 48.2 |
| 11 | Alaves | 38 | 12.0 | 9.5 | 16.5 | 42.2 | 50.2 | -8.1 | 45.5 |
| 12 | Osasuna | 38 | 12.2 | 8.6 | 17.1 | 45.1 | 57.1 | -12.0 | 45.3 |
| 13 | Las Palmas | 38 | 12.1 | 8.6 | 17.3 | 34.5 | 44.3 | -9.7 | 44.9 |
| 14 | Celta | 38 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 16.3 | 48.1 | 58.0 | -9.9 | 42.8 |
| 15 | Mallorca | 38 | 9.1 | 14.6 | 14.3 | 39.3 | 48.3 | -9.0 | 41.9 |
| 16 | Villarreal | 38 | 10.5 | 7.8 | 19.8 | 52.3 | 75.5 | -23.1 | 39.2 |
| 17 | Sevilla | 38 | 8.2 | 11.3 | 18.4 | 45.7 | 58.5 | -12.8 | 36.0 |
| 18 | Granada | 38 | 7.0 | 9.1 | 21.9 | 43.8 | 72.9 | -29.1 | 30.2 |
| 19 | Cadiz | 38 | 5.8 | 12.3 | 19.9 | 30.9 | 61.1 | -30.2 | 29.7 |
| 20 | Almeria | 38 | 5.5 | 10.0 | 22.5 | 43.4 | 75.0 | -31.6 | 26.5 |
Betis vs Barcelona Stats Preview: Undefeated records go on the line
- Barcelona are undefeated in 493 of their last 551 league matches.
- Neither side has lost a respective home or away game in La Liga this season.
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Real Betis’s last 9 games in La Liga.
- Real Betis have lost just one of their last 15 league matches.
- Seven of Barcelona’s nine away games has seen both teams score (78%), only Girona has seen more (80%)
- Barcelona have seen the most possession on average in La Liga this season (64.7%)
- Barcelona average a league-high 14.9 shots away from home, while conceding a league-low 10.2.
How To Watch
- Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga.
- Date and Time: Sunday, January 21st, 17:30 (UK)
- How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): Viaplay
SAFER GAMBLING
At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.
