Barcelona, riding high on their Spanish Super Cup triumph, are set to take on Real Betis in a thrilling Copa del Rey encounter this Wednesday. After claiming their 15th Super Cup trophy with a commanding 5-2 victory over Real Madrid, the Catalan giants will be looking to continue their winning streak when they host Betis at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Barcelona’s Form and Key Players
Barcelona will be brimming with confidence following their recent success. In the Super Cup final, they demonstrated resilience after initially falling behind, with standout performances from Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha. Despite a few hiccups in recent home games, including a string of defeats at home, they will be aiming to reclaim their dominance and ensure progression in the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona Key Players:
- Lamine Yamal: With his stellar performance in the Super Cup, Yamal is expected to continue his excellent form.
- Robert Lewandowski: The prolific striker, fresh from his goal-scoring feats, will be crucial for Barcelona’s attack.
- Raphinha: A key offensive threat, Raphinha’s creativity and pace could prove to be the difference.
Real Betis’ Recent Struggles
Betis, however, have faced a turbulent period in La Liga, with a 1-0 loss to Real Valladolid adding to their woes. The Andalusian side has only managed one win in their last eight league matches, putting them in 10th place in the standings. But their Copa del Rey run has been more promising, with tight victories over lower-division sides and a narrow win over Huesca in the third round.
Real Betis Key Players:
- Isco: A match-winner in the previous round, Isco’s creativity could be key in unlocking Barcelona’s defense.
- Vitor Roque: The Barcelona loanee could be looking for revenge against his parent club, with a potential start in the lineup.
Team News and Absentees
Barcelona will be without long-term absentees Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Inigo Martinez, who is out with a hamstring injury. In goal, Inaki Pena is expected to replace Wojciech Szczesny, who will serve a suspension following his red card in the Super Cup. For Betis, key injuries to Giovani Lo Celso, Hector Bellerin, and Chimy Avila leave them short-handed.
Predicted Lineups:
Barcelona:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Starting XI: Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Real Betis:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Starting XI: Vieites; Ruibal, Llorente, Bartra, Perraud; Altimira, Cardoso; Ruibal, Isco, Ezzalzouli; Roque
Prediction
Barcelona enters this match as the favorites, having enjoyed a dominant run in their past home meetings against Real Betis, with impressive 4-0 and 5-0 victories in their last two encounters. However, Betis will be determined to spoil the party and cause an upset. While Betis has struggled recently, their determination to claim the Copa del Rey for the fourth time could drive them to put up a strong fight.
Final Score Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Real Betis
