Barcelona needed a late penalty from Robert Lewandowski to defeat Osasuna (2:1) and head into the international break undefeated in La Liga this season. Furthermore, this is the fourth consecutive season in which they have not lost any of their first four matches. It’s essential to note that after a goalless draw with Getafe in the first round, Barcelona has scored eight goals, just two fewer than Atletico Madrid before this round, which has solved a headache for coach Xavi. Their successful streak of three games began at their new stadium with a 2-0 victory over Cadiz. Given that a series of three matches in seven days at the Olympic Luis Companys Stadium is about to begin, the Catalans will hope that the break did not halt their momentum. However, the arrival of Betis is unlikely to dampen their spirits, considering that Barcelona has won 17 of their last 20 head-to-head matches in La Liga. Today, Gundogan, Pedri, and Araujo won’t be able to play due to a muscle injury.
Real Betis is not helped by the fact that their coach, Manuel Pellegrini, has personally lost more matches to Barcelona than any other club, although this record remains in the background. It’s impossible to hide the fact that the visitors have strengthened their ambitions in the top six by collecting seven hard-earned points in this league campaign. Remarkably, both victories were secured with a narrow one-goal margin. Their only defeat came away against Athletic Bilbao with a score of 2-4. However, Betis had been performing well on the road before that, amassing ten points in their previous four away league matches. In their last two La Liga away games, Betis opened the scoring, and as a good omen, the last time they did so in this fixture, they won 1-0 at Camp Nou in December 2021. Today, Bravo, Sabaly, Guardado, and Fekir won’t be able to play due to a knee injury.
