Barça vs Real Betis- Copa Del Rey Match Preview

It hasn’t taken long, but we’re back in action yet again. This time in the Copa Del Rey knockout rounds. After such an incredible performance on Sunday against Real Madrid, one of the very best we’ve seen from Barca in so many years, it’s back to Barcelona from Saudi Arabia tonight. Live from the Olympic stadium in Montjuic, it’s Barcelona against Real Betis. Already early on in the competition, we’re facing a very good team.

This time however, for once in a long time, we finally have a Copa Del Rey knockout game at home. Something that doesn’t usually happen. We need to make the most of any home advantage to pull us through a very tough matchup against an always strong Betis side. 

A Quick Look at our opponent:

Real Betis need no introduction. A staple side in La Liga and always a threat to the top 6 places. They’re led by an experienced man in Manuel Pellegrini. And not only do they have an abundance of key experienced players like Isco, Bartra to name a few. But they’ve also got some brilliant young talent too, many of which have crossed paths with Barcelona at some point.

Ez Abde is a big threat off the left side and so is Barça loanee, Vitor Roque who is enjoying a great season at Betis with his future at Barca unfortunately looking further and further away. He’ll definitely cause a few problems, but so will the team as a whole. We know that playing at home isn’t exactly an advantage, but to get past this solid `Betis side, we’ll need as much of the home support as we can get. 

Predicted lineup:

When it comes to our lineup for tee game, it will definitely be interesting to see how Flick decides to lineup. Not only are we playing 3 days in from an absolutely incredible display against Madrid on Sunday. A game that would’ve taken a lot of energy out of the team, but it was also in Saudi Arabia.

The travelling would also play its part on fatigue too. And with a hectic schedule this month and with Getafe on the weekend, Flick will have to be wise in resting as many players as he can, but still keeping the starting eleven strong against Betis too. It’s a balancing act so let’s wait and see how Flick decides to lineup.

My starting 11:

Peña

Kounde- Araujo- Cubarsi- Fort

Casado- Eric

Yamal- Olmo- Raphinha

Lewandowski 

Ryan Edwards