FC Barcelona vs. Real Betis: Complete La Liga Preview

This Sunday, Real Betis Balompie make the trip north to Catalonia to face the might of Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Traditionally a fixture full of goals, (there have been at least three in all of the Camp Nou games between the two since 2003), expect no different this coming weekend.

Both teams go into the match with something to play for, which ensures that this game won't become your usual run-of-the-mill end-of-season bore fest.

Real Betis have lost on their last four visits. Indeed the last time they left this ground with a point was way back on the November 4, 2007.

Barcelona will be hoping to continue their La Liga home form that has seen them win all but one home fixture this season.

Let's take a look at the game in more detail...

Team News and Possible Lineups

Barcelona

Team News

Barcelona go into the match looking for the three points that will leave them needing just one more win to secure the La Liga title.

Sergio Busquets may be rested if he hasn't fully recovered from his hernia troubles; expect Alex Song to continue to deputise if so.

It's unlikely team captain Carles Puyol nor Javier Mascherano will be rushed back despite La Blaugrana's well-documented defensive problems.

Jordi Alba returns to the left-back slot after missing the Champions League return against Bayern Munich, and Eric Abidal may slot in alongside Gerard Pique.

The midfield trio and front three virtually pick themselves, however Cesc Fabregas will play no part after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Athletic Bilbao last weekend, and Tito Vilanova may continue to give Lionel Messi some much-needed recuperation time.

Probable Lineup

Valdes, Alves, Pique, Abidal, Alba, Iniesta, Song, Xavi, Sanchez, Pedro, Villa.

Real Betis

Team News

Pepe Mel has the luxury of boasting no new injury worries or suspensions ahead of the trip to Camp Nou.

Expect the same lineup as the one that started against Deportivo La Coruna and Pepe Mel's tactics to be to take the game to their more illustrious opponents, defending from the front.

Probable Lineup

 Adrian, Torres, Amaya, Perquis, Nacho, Alvaro, Benat, Campbell, Canas, Molina, Ruben Castro

Form

Barcelona's home form in La Liga is almost perfect.

The only blemish on the record at Camp Nou so far this term is an early season draw with Real Madrid.

Each and every opponent has arrived in Catalonia full of confidence but, bar Madrid, each has left firmly with their tail between their legs.

La Blaugrana will want to put the last few disappointing performances behind them quickly.

The huge loss in the Champions League will have dented egos and confidence, but in truth that tie was over after the first leg.

What is of more immediate concern is that the team seem to lack their usual cutting edge unless a certain Argentine is playing.

Barcelona offered nothing before the introduction of Lionel Messi at Athletic Bilbao, and that is a major issue that Tito Vilanova must address.

Real Betis go into this game with no real form to speak of.

Despite 20 attempts on goal in their last match against lowly Deportivo La Coruna, they still only managed a single goal, with a draw the final outcome. 

Two further draws, two defeats and a solitary 5-1 win against Granada in the last six doesn't inspire confidence, and Pepe Mel's troops will certainly have their work cut out.

Just four points separate Real Betis from a European spot, with Valencia currently occupying sixth place. 

Men to Watch

The visitors boast considerable talent within their ranks.

If Joel Campbell or Benat are allowed time and space on the ball they are, potentially, the match winners for the away side.

Expect them to link up well with Ruben Castro who will be looking to add to his 16-goal tally for the season.

If Tito Vilanova picks a full-strength Barcelona side, then look no further than the usual suspects.

Xavi Hernandez to dictate the pace and tempo, Andres Iniesta to light the fuse and Lionel Messi to provide the potent goal threat if he plays.

If Messi is rested again, I fancy Cristian Tello to step up in this one. 

Last Time

History was made the last time the teams faced each other, at the Benito Villamarin on December 9, 2012 .

It was a special night in the career of Lionel Messi, as it was the day when he broke Gerd Muller's 40-year-old record of goals in a calendar year.

The Argentine's two first-half strikes saw him set a new personal mark and also set Barcelona up for the victory.

A solitary Ruben Castro strike was the home side's only consolation.