La Liga: It’s Barca’s Title, But When?

Barcelona vs Real Betis  

Xavi’s Barcelona have been heading for a 2023 La Liga triumph for some weeks and, with an 11-point lead over Real Madrid and just seven games to play, surely it’s a matter of time. 

But the Blaugrana have gone off the boil, winning just one of their last four league games and they went down to a shock 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday. On Saturday, they have a chance to redeem themselves at the Camp Nou Stadium when Europe chasing Real Betis are the visitors.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side is fifth, but with six points to make up on fourth-placed Real Sociedad, they need a spectacular set of La Liga 2023 results to earn a Champions League place. 

This is an important game for Barca to win as Real Madrid face Almeria at home on Saturday and are at SBOTOP odds of 1.13 to win.

So, if the Blaugrana were to slip up against Betis, they could go into the last six games with a single-digit lead and suddenly the nerves might kick in.  

Talking Points

Busquets back to face Betis

Barcelona missed a great chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to 14 points after Real Madrid lost to Girona on Tuesday night, but the champions elect fluffed their lines as goals, either side of half time, from Alvaro Garcia and Fran Garcia handed Rayo a deserved victory.

Robert Lewandowski gave Barca hope on 83 minutes and Jules Kounde had a header blocked on 90, but the hosts held out to keep their unbeaten run against Barca going; the Blaugrana last won this fixture in 2019.

It was a strangely lacklustre performance from the leaders and Xavi gave an honest assessment, saying: “The league is not finished; this is the problem – we have to deserve La Liga, today we deserved defeat.”

Barca started with Pedri for the first time since his injury in February, but they were without Sergio Busquets, who picked up a one-match suspension for accumulating five yellow cards in last week’s win over Atletico Madrid.

He’ll be back in the starting line up against Real Betis, and there is more good news from the Camp Nou as the manager has indicated that Ousmane Dembele will also be ready to face the Andalusians.         

While Barcelona will be looking to raise money from player sales in the summer, Dembele is one of the players Xavi will be keen to keep, and his timely return should help to see the Catalans over the line this season. He’s been a key player for Barcelona this season and Lewadowski has missed him.     

Betis frustrated by La Real

Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis had a chance to fight their way back into Champions League contention when Real Sociedad visited the Benito Villamarin on Tuesday, but they were held to a 0-0 draw by the Basque giants.

Sociedad dug deep to take a point to maintain their six-point lead over Betis, but the hosts will be frustrated by the fact they registered just one shot on target in the entire 90 minutes.

Sergio Canales had Betis’ best chance on 74 minutes, but he fired narrowly over the bar, and keeper Rui Silva made a great save to deny a Sociedad winner from Mikel Merino. 

Real Betis have been in patchy form recently and this latest setback could take the wind out of their sails.

History

Barcelona have won 35 of their last 54 meetings with Betis, losing 10 and drawing nine, and the Catalans have come out on top of the last three encounters including a 2-1 win in Andalusia in February as Raphinha and Lewandowski struck. 

In terms of recent form, neither team has been pulling up trees, with Barca winning two, drawing two, and losing two of the last six, while Betis have won two, drawn one, and lost three.

But the Blaugrana have been imperious at home, unbeaten with 12 and drawing three at the Camp Nou and I’m backing them to make it a lucky 13.    

Betting Tip

The latest La Liga 2023 betting odds say Barca will win the title sooner or later and, at odds of 1.29 to win, this game surely the hosts will have too much for Real Betis, who are priced at 7.33 to win and 4.74 to draw with the Double Chance at 3.04.

The Blaugrana came up trumps in a tough challenge against Atletico Madrid last week, and I expect a reaction from their midweek setback with key players returning.   

 

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