After a 5-1 away win in Mallorca, things are a bit easier for Barcelona coach Hansi Flick and his players. After an embarrasing home defeat to relegation strugglers Las Palmas, the Catalans faces criticism, but a win last week, along with unexpected Real Madrid‘s loss in Bilbao, put things back together. Barcelona has another away game today, but it‘s against an opponent which they beat regularly. In fact, they have beaten them seven times in a row. Real Betis is currently in 11th place with five wins, draws and defeats apiece, but even in recent years, when they were fighting for the Champions League place, they have struggled against the Catalan giants. In the last 13 visits in the League by Barca to Benito Villamarín, the Blaugrana team has won 10 and drawn 3 and they go into this Saturday afternoon’s match with the aim of linking together their eighth consecutive victory in this stadium.🚨 Hansi Flick’s squad for #BetisBarça! pic.twitter.com/31ghw4n39E— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 6, 2024 In fact, it was the African legend Samuel Eto‘o who led Barca‘s attack in March 2008 when they lost to Betis the last time. The Cameroonian striker scored a goal along with Bojan Krkić in a team full of stars (Thierry Henry, Yaya Toure, Xavi, Iniesta), but eventually, Betis scored three goals and won the game. There was another victory for Betis, in 2011, but it was not in La Liga, but in a return match in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey in which they went from winning 3-0 to finishing 3-1 thanks to a goal by the Barça genius Leo Messi. Even when things didn‘t work out with Xavi at the helm last season, Barca still managed a win in Seville, with a 4-2 win over Betis (three goals from Ferran Torres and another from Joao Félix).Is ‘HansiBall’ seen through?Hansi Flick will put his strongest 11 on the field despite the Champions League match with Borussia on Wednesday, which means that both Robert Lewandowski (15 goals so far) and Raphinha (11 goals and eight assists) will lead the attakc, along with Lamine Yamal. Barca‘s on-loan forward Vitor Roque is eligible to play against Barcelona and will start the match. So far, he scored three goals in LaLiga and another two in the Copa del Rey in the 18 games he has played for Betis, and vowed not to celebrate if he scores against the Catalans.“If I score a goal against Barça I will not celebrate it, having respect for the club. Little by little I am adapting, with persistence and work things are going well, and now I want to score goals to help the team“ said the young Brazilian.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 17Friday Celta – Mallorca 2-0 (1-0)/Alvarez 32, Aspas 82/Saturday 16.00: (1.80) Las Palmas (3.50) Valladolid (4.70)18.15: (5.00) Betis (4.40) Barcelona (1.60)20.30: (2.25) Valencia (3.10) Rayo Vallecano (3.50)23.00: (4.90) Girona (3.60) Real Madrid (1.75)Sunday 16.00: (4.50) Leganes (3.45) Sociedad (1.95)18.15: (1.95) Ath.Bilbao (3.50) Villareal (3.90)20.30: (2.10) Osasuna (3.30) Alaves (3.70)23.00: (1.40) Atl.Madrid (4.60) Sevilla (8.00)Monday 23.00: (1.85) Getafe (3.25) Espanyol (5.50)***odds are subject to change***
