By Graham Ruthven
Floor to make up
Sunday noticed Barcelona produce arguably their greatest show of the season as they put 5 objectives previous Actual Madrid in a Clásico thumping within the closing of the Spanish Supercopa. It was a efficiency to savour for Hansi Flick and his gamers.
Nonetheless, Barca return to Spain to play in one other cup competitors this week with Actual Betis hoping to be the most recent staff to reveal the Catalans at Montjuïc following current wins for Atlético Madrid, Las Palmas and Leganés at Barca’s momentary dwelling.
These defeats raised issues that opposition groups had been beginning to determine Barcelona’s excessive line of defense. Hansi Flick’s high-risk strategy may be entertaining, however it doesn’t at all times lead to probably the most managed performances by his facet.
In LaLiga, Barcelona completed up for the winter break on a run of only one win in seven video games. Since then, although, they’ve dispatched Barbastro within the Copa del Rey spherical of 32 and handily defeated Athletic Membership and Actual Madrid within the Supercopa. The remaining has revived them.
Actual Betis, alternatively, suffered a 1-0 loss to Actual Valladolid on Saturday to carry a seven-match unbeaten run to an finish. The flip facet of that file is that Los Verdiblancos have gained simply considered one of their final eight league outings.
Manuel Pellegrini’s facet have already taken factors from Barcelona this season, drawing 2-2 with them in the beginning of December, and will as soon as once more be a thorn within the facet of the Catalans.
Key gamers
Lamine Yamal placed on a present in Sunday’s Spanish Supercopa closing, scoring a shocking equaliser and usually posing a menace within the closing third for Barcelona. Actual Madrid had no technique to deal with him.
Flick has recommended he might handle the 17-year-old’s minutes as he continues his restoration from harm, however Barca will wish to sustain their run going within the cup competitions. They want their greatest creator participant on the pitch.
Vitor Roque might return to the Actual Betis beginning lineup towards his mother or father membership whereas Isco is predicted to begin having solely lately returned from harm.
Plenty of strain will probably be on Actual Betis central destroyer and USMNT worldwide Johnny Cardoso to interrupt up Barcelona assaults in the course of the pitch with Sergi Altimira alongside him.
Workforce information
Iñigo Martínez sustained a hamstring harm within the 5-2 win over Actual Madrid in Sunday’s Spanish Supercopa closing and is predicted to overlook the following month of motion, solely including to Barca’s variety of defensive absentees.
Nonetheless, Ronald Araújo might begin his first league match of the season after making his long-awaited return from harm off the bench towards Actual Madrid. The Uruguayan will probably be a straight alternative for Martínez in central defence.
Giovani Lo Celso will miss the match at Montjuic after choosing up a muscle harm within the defeat to Actual Valladolid whereas Héctor Bellerín, Chimy Avila and William Carvalho are long-term absentees.
Prediction
Momentum is with Hansi Flick’s facet, so we’ll go along with Barcelona 3-1 Actual Betis.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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