(Football news) Barcelona are on a great run of results having won 12 and drawn 1 of their last 13 games. They are 5 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table and are also into the semi finals of the Copa Del Rey. They now prepare to take on Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín Stadium. Betis are 6th on the La Liga table and a win would take them above Villarreal and on level with Atletico Madrid on 5th. They are coming into the game after a narrow 1-0 win away at Getafe while Barcelona also won 1-0 away at Girona. 

Barcelona will be boosted by the return of Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski after suspension. Hector Bellerin secured a deadline day move to Sporting CP while no replacement has been signed yet. The Blaugrana tried to get midfielder Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina but the deal didn’t materialize. Ousmane Dembele injured himself at Girona and he is set to be out for a long time which is a massive blow for Barcelona. Xavi now has the option of going for Ansu Fati or Ferran Torres on the left or he could do what has worked in the past by playing a four man midfield of Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong, Pedri and Gavi. 

Real Betis on the other hand will be without Juan Cruz. The Super Cup match between these two teams went right down to the wires into a penalty shootout. Barcelona are getting results but their recent performances haven’t been too impressive. Xavi’s men are sort of grinding out results rather than dominating teams. Betis will definitely fancy their chances of getting a result. Barcelona on the other hand have just got a 5 point over Real Madrid and they would be keen not to blow it just yet.

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