A year ago
Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Real Betis .
Barcelona will take on Real Betis in a highly anticipated match that will feature two of La Liga's most promising teams. Barcelona is currently the league leaders, but they have not been in the best form lately. They have won only one of their last four La Liga matches, and they recently lost to Rayo Vallecano. Real Betis has won almost half of their league games this season and is currently in sixth place, hoping to make a push for a top-four finish. However, they too have been going through a rough patch, with only two wins in their last ten matches.
We have highlighted three talking points ahead of the Barcelona vs. Real Betis game. Firstly, the match will bring Barcelona ten points closer to the title, making every matchday crucial for them. They have won 24 of their matches this season, drawing just four and losing three to Real Madrid, Almeria, and Rayo Vallecano. They currently have 76 points, enjoying an 11-point lead over Real Madrid, who have 65 points in as many games. If Real Madrid wins all their remaining games, they would add 21 points to their tally, reaching a total of 86 points. However, it is mathematically impossible for any team in La Liga to cross 86 points in any case. Therefore, reaching 87 points would be the winning moment for Barcelona, and they need only ten more points to get there. With seven games left to go, there is enough time for them to achieve this.
Secondly, Ousmane Dembele's return to the squad is crucial. The Frenchman suffered a muscular setback in January and has been out for three months, missing several games. However, he is finally back in the squad and will be available to play against Real Betis. Raphinha has been playing in his place and has become a regular in Xavi's dynamics. However, Dembele's inclusion as a substitute is inevitable, given his spontaneity, creativity, and verticality down the right flank.
Thirdly, Andreas Christensen's return to the squad is also noteworthy. The 27-year-old was injured in March and has been out for over a month. With Christensen back, Xavi is likely to revert to his famous backline and restart the working defensive formula. This will see Christensen accompany Ronald Araujo back in central defence, with Jules Kounde playing as the right-back and Alejandro Balde as the left-back. Barcelona has kept four clean sheets in their last six games across all competitions, but the defence has not been at its best, resulting in a 4-0 defeat to Real Madrid and a 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano. With an almost fully-fit squad at his disposal, Xavi has no excuses if the team fails to maintain their recent subpar results.
In conclusion, the Barcelona vs. Real Betis match promises to be exciting, with both teams hoping to secure a win. Barcelona needs to win to get back on track, while Real Betis is looking to make a push for a top-four finish. The return of Dembele and Christensen to the squad is a massive boost for Barcelona, and they will be looking to improve their defensive play to secure a victory.
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