Barcelona vs Real Betis prediction, odds, expert soccer betting tips and best bets for La Liga match

Barcelona hope to put the shaky midweek Copa del Rey performance behind them and press on in La Liga action as they travel to face Real Betis in the Spanish top flight.

The Catalan giants were left a bit red-faced after their 3-1 win over third-tier Unionistas back on Thursday, putting in a truly putrid performance through the first hour. Xavi's side was second-best to a lower league club for much of the match, until second-half goals from Jules Kounde and Alex Balde saw them depart unscathed.

Refocusing back on league play, Barca sit fourth in the La Liga standings and cannot afford any more slips the rest of the way if they wish to remain players in the title race. Trailing leaders Girona by eight points and sitting only three ahead of fifth-placed Atletico Madrid, they are closer to dropping out of the Champions League places than they are to fighting for the top spot.

Real Betis sit eighth in the table, starting the year hot but hitting a skid of late, finally ending a five-match winless run last time out with a 1-0 victory over Granada last weekend to avenge an early Copa de Rey exit at the hands of Alaves the weekend prior.

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It's easy to kick Barcelona when they're down, having been so disappointing against Unionistas in their midweek Copa del Rey match, but there are clear signs why Real Betis can win this match.

The hosts have been mired in a brutal goal scoring slump, but they are still creating chances in front of net, only falling short in finishing the opportunities. Their three leading scorers, Ayoze Perez, Isco, and Willian Jose have just one goal between them in the last six league matches, and five combined goals since