MX23RW : Tuesday, April 16 17:34:01| >> :120:9817:9817:
Barcelona logo
La Liga
May 5, 2013 at 8pm UK
 
Real Betis logo

4-2

Villa (56'), Sánchez (9'), Messi (60', 71')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Pérez (43'), Pabon (2')

Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Betis

Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Betis
© AP Photos
Barcelona look to bounce back from their Champions League semi-final exit with a win in La Liga over Real Betis this Sunday.

Barcelona will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing exit from the Champions League when they take on Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday.

Tito Vilanova's side crashed out of the premier European tournament following a 3-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich at Camp Nou, as they lost the semi-final tie 7-0 on aggregate.

However, they will now their attentions back to La Liga, where they will look to continue their dominance at the top of the table against Betis.

Pep Mel's side are also hoping to push themselves into contention for a Europa League place as they are currently seventh in the table, just four points behind sixth-place Valencia and fifth-place Malaga.

Barcelona are in great form in the league and have lost once in their last eight games - that loss came against Real Madrid. Since then, they've taken 17 points from a possible 21.

Betis, meanwhile, are struggling for form in the league and have won just once in their last six matches, with that victory coming against Granada three weeks ago.

Lionel Messi's injury prevented him from starting against Bayern, but he could come into contention for the game with Betis.

Sergio Busquets could also miss out along with injury victims Carlos Puyol and Javier Mascherano. Jordi Alba should return after missing the clash with Bayern.

Betis could name an unchanged side from the team that drew with Deportivo La Coruna for the trip to Camp Nou, with now new injury worries present in Mel's squad.

Recent form

Barcelona: WDWWWD

Betis: LDWDLD

Possible starting lineups

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Abidal, Alba, Iniesta, Song, Xavi, Pedro, Villa, Sanchez.

Betis: Adrian, Torres, Amaya, Perquis, Nacho, Alvaro, Benat, Campbell, Canas, Molina, Ruben Castro.

Sports Mole says: 3-0


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FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi during a press conference on April 22, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid31246167204778
2Barcelona31217362342870
3GironaGirona31205663392465
4Atletico MadridAtletico31194859362361
5Athletic Bilbao31169651292257
6Real Sociedad311311745331250
7Valencia31138103432247
8Real BetisBetis31111283837145
9Villarreal31109124954-539
10Getafe31912103743-639
11Osasuna31116143644-839
12Las PalmasLas Palmas31107142935-637
13Sevilla31810133944-534
14AlavesAlaves3188152638-1232
15Mallorca31613122536-1131
16Rayo Vallecano31613122538-1331
17Celta Vigo31610153346-1328
18CadizCadiz31413142141-2025
19Granada3138203260-2817
20Almeria31111193062-3214


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