Spain - Primera Division
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Played
May 12, 2012 9:00 PM BST
Estadio Benito Villamarín — Sevilla
Referee:‬ Miguel Ayza‎
Attendance:‬ 37000‎
 

Real Betis - Barcelona Preview: Catalan giants looking to end Liga season on a high

The Catalans travel to the Benito Villamarin on Saturday with Lionel Messi vying to clinch the Pichichi award having scored an unprecedented 50 league goals this season

By Karthick Arvinth

More On :  Betis, FC Barcelona, Betis vs FC Barcelona
Leo Messi, Pep Guardiola - FC Barcelona
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  PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL BETIS

Casto
Chica, Paulao, Dorado, Nacho
Pozuelo, Benat, Canas, Montero
Castro, Santa Cruz
BARCELONA

Pinto
Montoya, Pique, Mascherano, Adriano
Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas
Pedro, Messi, Cuenca

Real Betis forward Roque Santa Cruz has shaken off a knock and is available for the Primera Division encounter with Barcelona.

Captain Iriney and defender Nelson (both ankle) are doubts, while Javier Matilla, Mario and Juanma are all sidelined.

Chechu Dorado, Benat and Jose Canas should all make returns to the starting line-up after missing Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Sporting Gijon due to suspension.

Barcelona duo Gerard Pique and Isaac Cuenca are both fit to play after recovering from concussion and a bruised ankle respectively, but Alexis Sanchez misses out with a thigh injury.

Seydou Keita (calf) is a doubt, while captain Carles Puyol will undergo surgery on Saturday to correct a knee problem, which is expected to rule him out of action for six weeks.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Real Betis are on a five-match unbeaten run at the Benito Villamarin since losing 3-2 to Real Madrid.
  • Los Verdiblancos have avoided defeat in their last four home meetings with Barcelona (W2, D2).
  • 12th-placed Betis can finish above bitter rivals Sevilla in the league table if they win on Saturday and Michel's side lose at Espanyol.
  • Barcelona have won their last seven away matches in La Liga since losing 3-2 at Osasuna in February.
  • The Catalans have had more possession than their opponents in all 245 official games since Pep Guardiola became coach in 2008.
  • Lionel Messi (pictured right) has scored 27 goals in his last 14 appearances for Barca.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Betis 0-8 FC Barcelona
    13.69 %
  • Betis 0-5 FC Barcelona
    9.49 %
  • Betis 0-4 FC Barcelona
    8.43 %
Head to Head
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ May 5, 2013 FC Barcelona 4 - Betis 2
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Dec 9, 2012 Betis 1 - FC Barcelona 2
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ May 12, 2012 Betis 2 - FC Barcelona 2
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Jan 15, 2012 FC Barcelona 4 - Betis 2
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Spain - Copa del Rey ‎(ESPC)‎ Jan 19, 2011 Betis 3 - FC Barcelona 1
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Last Five Matches
Betis
May 12, 2013Betis 1 - Celta 0LIGA
May 5, 2013FC Barcelona 4 - Betis 2LIGA
Apr 29, 2013Betis 1 - Deportivo 1LIGA
Apr 20, 2013Real Madrid CF 3 - Betis 1LIGA
Apr 12, 2013Betis 3 - Sevilla 3LIGA
FC Barcelona
May 19, 2013FC Barcelona 2 - Valladolid 1LIGA
May 12, 2013Atletico Madrid 1 - FC Barcelona 2LIGA
May 5, 2013FC Barcelona 4 - Betis 2LIGA
May 1, 2013FC Barcelona 0 - FC Bayern München 3UCL
Apr 27, 2013Athletic Bilbao 2 - FC Barcelona 2LIGA
Odds
Returns: Betis £80.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Draw £60.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Barcelona £340.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
13CastoGoalkeeper
5DoradoDefender
2PaulaoDefender
17ChicaDefender
23NachoMidfielder
10BeñatMidfielder
-Jefferson Antonio MonteroMidfielder
21José CañasStriker
35PozueloMidfielder
23Jonathan PereiraStriker
24Rubén CastroStriker
25Fabricio Agosto RamírezGoalkeeper
2IsidoroDefender
-SúperMidfielder
39Sergio Midfielder
9Roque Santa CruzStriker
19Jorge MolinaStriker
-NonoStriker
1Víctor ValdésGoalkeeper
2Daniel AlvesDefender
3PiquéDefender
21AdrianoDefender
6XaviMidfielder
14Javier MascheranoMidfielder
-Seydou KeitaMidfielder
16BusquetsMidfielder
20Ibrahim AfellayMidfielder
10Lionel MessiStriker
17PedroStriker
38OierGoalkeeper
32BartraDefender
35MontoyaDefender
4Cesc FàbregasMidfielder
8Andrés Iniesta LujánMidfielder
23CuencaStriker
37TelloStriker
Players to Watch
Beñat
Beñat
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
31 4 16 0
The midfielder has been one of the standout performers for Betis this campaign and netted both goals in the club's 2-1 victory over city rivals Sevilla last week. The 25-year-old's free kicks and pinpoint long range passing will be key in unlocking the Blaugrana defence.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
32 46 1 0
Barcelona may have conceded the league crown to Real Madrid, but they can find some small solace by helping the Argentine win the race for La Liga's top scorer title. Already the undisputed all-time top scorer in a single European season with 72 goals, the 24-year-old has netted five more times in the league than rival Cristiano Ronaldo going into the final round of fixtures.
Prediction
The Benito Villamarin has been a bit of a bogey ground for Barca in recent years, but the Catalans will be keen to entertain one last time and make sure Guardiola's last Liga match as Blaugrana boss ends on a positive note.
Editor's Prediction
Betis 1
Barcelona 3
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid 		34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia 		21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla 		20 3