Having just smashed six past Sporting Gijon, Barca are licking their lips in anticipation of a visit from a meek Real Betis.
This has traditionally been a fixture in which the away team leaves with their tails between their legs. Betis have had their fair share of hammerings at Camp Nou, while the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera is one of Barca’s least favourite grounds to visit. Last season was no different, with Barca brushing Los Beticos aside 3-0 at home, before being turned over 3-2 in the return a few months later.
An ominous sign for Betis then, who have yet to score a goal in this campaign. A trip to Barcelona to play a side just beginning to find its form is unlikely to be the occasion on which they break their duck.
After an uninspiring start to the season, Barca appears to have finally woken up. A solitary point from their first two games (with their only goal coming from the spot) against less than imposing opposition had the white handkerchiefs out en masse. A convincing 3-1 win against Sporting in the Champions League calmed the nerves, but there was still pressure on the Blaugrana to get their first league win of the campaign when they travelled to Sporting Gijon.
Ninety minutes later, and yet another Sporting side were feeling Barca’s wrath, this time to the tune of six goals. Of course, one must not forget that this was against the bottom club, who were playing with ten men for much of the second half. Still, it appears that Barca have shaken off the cobwebs and are ready to plunder more goals.
Betis, meanwhile, are still unbelievably searching for their first goal of the season. Their last opportunity came in the form of their most important game, the derby against local rivals Sevilla. Despite enjoying most of the possession in the first half, Betis looked woefully toothless in attack, with their options in the final third leaving a lot to be desired. The alarming drop in intensity in the second half will also be a considerable cause for concern.
While players like Mark Gonzalez, Sergio Garcia, Mariano Pavone and Emana should be more than capable of scoring a few goals, the absence of the injured Edu is proving to be a significant hindrance. The Brazilian made a bizarre but effective habit of scoring headers from crosses from the left last season, and his side are desperately in need of more of the same.
The uncertainty over the future of Rafael Sobis needs to be sorted out as soon as possible as well, for the benefit of all concerned. To add insult to injury (no pun intended), David Odonkor has not been registered for the squad due to his long-term injury.
FORM GUIDE
Barcelona
WON 6-1 (A) Sporting Gijon (Sept 21 – La Liga)
WON 3-1 (H) Sporting Lisbon (Sept 16 – Champions League)
DREW 1-1 (H) Racing Santander (Sept 13 – La Liga)
LOST 3-1 (A) Sant Andreu (Sept 9 – Copa Catalunya)
LOST 1-0 (A) Numancia (Aug 31 – La Liga)
Real Betis
DREW 0-0 (H) Sevilla (Sept 21 – La Liga)
DREW 0-0 (A) Getafe (Sept 14 – La Liga)
LOST 1-0 (H) Recreativo de Huelva (Sept1 – La Liga)
LOST 3-0 (A) Almeria (Aug 23 – Friendly)
WON 3-0 (A) Elche (Aug 16 – Friendly)
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
The long-term injuries to Hleb and Milito persist. Thierry Henry may recover in time but it is unlikely that he will earn a starting spot after Barca’s potency in attack at the weekend. Victor Valdes experienced some discomfort in his knee during the game, but it should not cause a problem. Having finally found some decent form, there is no reason for Pep Guardiola to tinker with his line-up just yet, despite the long season ahead. Therefore, the impressive youngster Sergi Busquets should get another start.
Probable Starting XI – Valdes - Dani Alves, Puyol, Marquez, Abidal – Busquets, Keita, Xavi – Iniesta, Messi, Eto’o
Real Betis
A goalless start to the season warrants changes, especially upfront, but Paco Chaparro is bereft of any real options. With Edu and Odonkor injured, and Sobis seemingly out of favour, Betis will just have to hope that the players at their disposal can finally find the back of the net.
Probable Starting XI – Casto – Nelson, Juanito, Arzu, Fernando Vega – Mehmet Aurelio, Capi, Mark Gonzalez, Sergio Garcia – Pavone, Emana
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barcelona – The usual suspects will be out to shine in front of their home fans, but one name that is flying under the radar is young Busquets. The son of legendary Barca keeper Carlos Busquets, the midfielder looks set to keep the family tradition going after winning the confidence of Pep Guardiola, who coached him in the B team last season. Strong, robust, and with an excellent touch, Busquets is yet another brilliant midfield product from a Barca academy that has produced the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and of course Guardiola in that position.
Real Betis – It is not long since Sergio Garcia was considered to be the latest prodigy to emerge from Barca’s cantera. Things never worked out for him at the Camp Nou though, and spells at Levante and Zaragoza followed. He has matured in recent years, culminating in a place in Spain’s successful Euro 2008 squad (albeit only after Bojan had withdrawn). His dreams the night before this game will surely contain scoring a goal at a ground where he never managed to do so in his four appearances for the senior Barca squad.
Vamos Betis
This has traditionally been a fixture in which the away team leaves with their tails between their legs. Betis have had their fair share of hammerings at Camp Nou, while the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera is one of Barca’s least favourite grounds to visit. Last season was no different, with Barca brushing Los Beticos aside 3-0 at home, before being turned over 3-2 in the return a few months later.
An ominous sign for Betis then, who have yet to score a goal in this campaign. A trip to Barcelona to play a side just beginning to find its form is unlikely to be the occasion on which they break their duck.
After an uninspiring start to the season, Barca appears to have finally woken up. A solitary point from their first two games (with their only goal coming from the spot) against less than imposing opposition had the white handkerchiefs out en masse. A convincing 3-1 win against Sporting in the Champions League calmed the nerves, but there was still pressure on the Blaugrana to get their first league win of the campaign when they travelled to Sporting Gijon.
Ninety minutes later, and yet another Sporting side were feeling Barca’s wrath, this time to the tune of six goals. Of course, one must not forget that this was against the bottom club, who were playing with ten men for much of the second half. Still, it appears that Barca have shaken off the cobwebs and are ready to plunder more goals.
Betis, meanwhile, are still unbelievably searching for their first goal of the season. Their last opportunity came in the form of their most important game, the derby against local rivals Sevilla. Despite enjoying most of the possession in the first half, Betis looked woefully toothless in attack, with their options in the final third leaving a lot to be desired. The alarming drop in intensity in the second half will also be a considerable cause for concern.
While players like Mark Gonzalez, Sergio Garcia, Mariano Pavone and Emana should be more than capable of scoring a few goals, the absence of the injured Edu is proving to be a significant hindrance. The Brazilian made a bizarre but effective habit of scoring headers from crosses from the left last season, and his side are desperately in need of more of the same.
The uncertainty over the future of Rafael Sobis needs to be sorted out as soon as possible as well, for the benefit of all concerned. To add insult to injury (no pun intended), David Odonkor has not been registered for the squad due to his long-term injury.
FORM GUIDE
Barcelona
WON 6-1 (A) Sporting Gijon (Sept 21 – La Liga)
WON 3-1 (H) Sporting Lisbon (Sept 16 – Champions League)
DREW 1-1 (H) Racing Santander (Sept 13 – La Liga)
LOST 3-1 (A) Sant Andreu (Sept 9 – Copa Catalunya)
LOST 1-0 (A) Numancia (Aug 31 – La Liga)
Real Betis
DREW 0-0 (H) Sevilla (Sept 21 – La Liga)
DREW 0-0 (A) Getafe (Sept 14 – La Liga)
LOST 1-0 (H) Recreativo de Huelva (Sept1 – La Liga)
LOST 3-0 (A) Almeria (Aug 23 – Friendly)
WON 3-0 (A) Elche (Aug 16 – Friendly)
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
The long-term injuries to Hleb and Milito persist. Thierry Henry may recover in time but it is unlikely that he will earn a starting spot after Barca’s potency in attack at the weekend. Victor Valdes experienced some discomfort in his knee during the game, but it should not cause a problem. Having finally found some decent form, there is no reason for Pep Guardiola to tinker with his line-up just yet, despite the long season ahead. Therefore, the impressive youngster Sergi Busquets should get another start.
Probable Starting XI – Valdes - Dani Alves, Puyol, Marquez, Abidal – Busquets, Keita, Xavi – Iniesta, Messi, Eto’o
Real Betis
A goalless start to the season warrants changes, especially upfront, but Paco Chaparro is bereft of any real options. With Edu and Odonkor injured, and Sobis seemingly out of favour, Betis will just have to hope that the players at their disposal can finally find the back of the net.
Probable Starting XI – Casto – Nelson, Juanito, Arzu, Fernando Vega – Mehmet Aurelio, Capi, Mark Gonzalez, Sergio Garcia – Pavone, Emana
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barcelona – The usual suspects will be out to shine in front of their home fans, but one name that is flying under the radar is young Busquets. The son of legendary Barca keeper Carlos Busquets, the midfielder looks set to keep the family tradition going after winning the confidence of Pep Guardiola, who coached him in the B team last season. Strong, robust, and with an excellent touch, Busquets is yet another brilliant midfield product from a Barca academy that has produced the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and of course Guardiola in that position.
Real Betis – It is not long since Sergio Garcia was considered to be the latest prodigy to emerge from Barca’s cantera. Things never worked out for him at the Camp Nou though, and spells at Levante and Zaragoza followed. He has matured in recent years, culminating in a place in Spain’s successful Euro 2008 squad (albeit only after Bojan had withdrawn). His dreams the night before this game will surely contain scoring a goal at a ground where he never managed to do so in his four appearances for the senior Barca squad.
Vamos Betis
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