LALIGA
Possible Barcelona XI for Betis test as Xavi eyes 50 points
Robert Lewandowski returns to the LaLiga side with Dembélé expected to be sidelined for at least a month as Betis will be out to avenge Super Cup defeat.
Real Betis and Barcelona play their 18th games of the 2022-23 season tonight at the Benito Villamarín (21:00 local time) with the Andalusian side looking for revenge after the recent defeat in the semi-final of the Super Cup with looking for the win that would take them to 50 points.
A win for Xavi’s men would also increase the Catalan’s lead at the LaLiga summit to eight points and apply added pressure to Real Madrid as they face Valencia at the Bernabeu on Thursday.
The pre-game omens are good for Barcelona who haven’t lost at Heliopolis since the 2007/08 season but Betis at home are still a formidable opponent having just slipped once at home all season.
Lewy returns
Having served his three match LaLiga suspension, Robert Lewandowski returns for the Catalan side who will have to make do with no Ousmane Dembele after the French winger pulled up at the weekend in Girona with a muscular issue that is set to have home sidelined from four-six weeks.
Raphina will man the right flank and support the Polish striker and Gavi with both Busquets and Araujo having to watch their step with both players just one yellow card away from a suspension.
Betis come into the game boosted after a 0-1 win at Getafe as Manuel Pellegrini eyes the win that would take them level with Atletico Madrid and a Champions League fourth place. Nabil Fekir seems to have recovered a solid level of form after his recent injury with Borja Iglesias happy to have found the target again in Getafe after a goal drought that dates back to October.