Barcelona arrive in Seville top of the table, Betis hoping to close the gap

Barcelona travel to the Estadio de la Cartuja on Saturday having won all eight of their league matches, the only unbeaten record left in the division. They sit top with 24 points and a goal difference of +27, five points clear of a Betis side that is third and very much in the mix.

Top four, top of the table

This is a meeting between two of the strongest teams in Spain, and the stakes go beyond bragging rights. Barcelona are looking to extend a lead that already looks significant this early in the season. Betis, on 19 points, cannot afford to fall further behind the leaders if they want to stay in the title conversation.

Form

Barcelona’s attack is the story. They have scored 22 goals in their last five matches and conceded only five, and their eight-game run has yielded 34 goals in total, an average of 4.3 per match. Their away games have been just as productive as their home ones.

Betis have been solid rather than spectacular. They have won their last five league games with a single draw, and their defence has been reliable at the Benito Villamarín, where they have conceded only twice in four matches. Four clean sheets across the season show they can keep teams out when they get their shape right.

Head-to-head

Recent meetings have tilted towards Barcelona. In their last five encounters, Barcelona have won three and drawn two, including a 3-1 win in May and a 3-5 result in Seville in December, when Barça came out on top in a high-scoring game.

Team news

Both coaches will be without key options. Betis are missing J. Firpo through a groin problem, while I. Losada and A. Ruibal are doubtful. Barcelona will not have R. Bardghji or A. Christensen, and F. de Jong is also a doubt.

Our prediction

We expect a tight, competitive contest with Barcelona just edging it. Betis have the defensive habits to make this difficult, but Barcelona’s attacking output is hard to contain for 90 minutes. Expect Betis to make it awkward, with Barça finding the decisive goal late.

Prediction: Real Betis 1-2 Barcelona