A preview of the Blaugrana's final match of 2015 against Real Betis
FC Barcelona will be looking to close out a memorable year in record-breaking style tomorrow, when they play host to Real Betis at the Camp Nou. For most Culés, 215 has been a year of euphoric highs, from securing La Liga at the Vicente Calderon, to vanquishing Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey final at the Camp Nou, securing the treble with a win over Juventus at the Olympiastadion in Berlin and of course, destroying Real Madrid 0-4 at the Santiago Bernabeu. This year has been full of great moments, and hopefully the players have one left in them tomorrow to cap it all off.
In addition to putting the icing on the 2015 cake, the Blaugrana need a win tomorrow to end the year on top of La Liga and keep their title bid on track. Thanks to a few poor results while Barcelona were in Japan, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid remain behind Luis Enrique’s team who also have a game in hand, but even with that in mind, Enrique will be keen to remain on top.
Complacency simply isn’t an option, and neither can we blame the recent trip to Far East Asia; irrespective of all that, Barcelona will be expected to claim all three points tomorrow against mid-table opposition. Historically, Real Betis have been one of the biggest sides from the region of Andalusia, but in recent years, they’ve struggled to live up to that billing. A brief stint in the Segunda Division was their reward for a dreadful campaign in 2013/14, and there have been signs that this season could be similarly frustrating for them.
For starters, they’ve struggled to score goals. Real Betis possess one of the worst offensive records in the entire division, and if you take star striker, Ruben Castro, out of the equation, they’d surely be in the relegation zone. Castro has notched eight of the team’s 13 goals, while other "big names" like Joaquin, Rafael van der Vaart and Ricky van Wolfswinkel have scored just once between the three of them.
In other words, they don’t really have the necessary firepower to realistically challenge the Blaugrana in Catalunya. At least they shouldn’t anyway; the question is whether they can limit Barcelona to a goal or two, and then steal a draw with an opportunistic strike.
Oh yeah, did I mention that this Barcelona side is just two goals away from equalling the world record for goals in a single calendar year? Or that they can win their 51st match of 2015 tomorrow?
Yeah… it’s going to be tough for Pepe Mel to stay positive ahead of this one.
TEAM NEWS
BARCELONA
Well, we know that Alejandro Grimaldo won’t be in the squad tomorrow, but that isn’t a surprise anyway. Grimaldo has just signed for SL Benfica because of a lack of first team action, so that rules him out of tomorrow’s match. This is also the final match in which we won’t see Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal in contention, as they can officially be registered ahead of Barcelona’s next match this upcoming weekend. Aside from that, there’s really nothing to report.
So, the question is whether Luis Enrique will start the rotation ahead of a gruelling January schedule in which the Blaugrana will contest a minimum of seven matches, and probably more pending their progression in the Copa del Rey. My money is on "yes", with more rotation to follow when Arda and Vidal get the green light to play.
Claudio Bravo will continue in goal, obviously; ahead of him though, I anticipate that we’ll see some change. I think that Jeremy Mathieu or Adriano Correia may start ahead of Jordi Alba, if only because Real Betis lack any real pace down the flanks. And also to troll the Barcelona fans mad about Grimaldo’s departure. Mainly the last one.
In the heart of defense, expect to see Gerard Pique, fresh off his holidays in Japan and in Paris over the holiday period, and possibly Marc Bartra or Thomas Vermaelen alongside him in the backline. Dani Alves will complete the back four, having found some form from somewhere in recent appearances.
Sergio Busquets will start at pivote, while I suspect we will see Sergi Roberto and Andres Iniesta ahead of him in the two interior slots. Nothing against Ivan Rakitic, just that this is a good opportunity to give him some rest; he looked a little tired in the pictures from training today. Oh, and we’ll probably need him more against RCD Espanyol at the weekend.
In attack, you know what to expect; Lionel Messi making his 500th career appearance, with Neymar and Luis Suarez in support. I can’t wait, and I’m sure everyone else is feeling the same way.
REAL BETIS
Goal-shy Betis has scored just once in their past three La Liga matches; and it was Ruben Castro’s long-time strike partner, Jorge Molina who grabbed that equaliser against Celta Vigo. However, that was over 180 minutes of action ago; since then Betis have drawn blanks against both Las Palmas, and fierce rivals, Sevilla FC. Molina will miss the match tomorrow, although that’s about it from an injury perspective.
FORM GUIDE
Barcelona: WDDDWW
Real Betis: WWDLDD
LAST MEETING
FC Barcelona 3-1 Real Betis – 5th April 2014 – La Liga
Two goals from Lionel Messi and an own-goal from Jordi Figueras sealed the win for the Blaugrana, as a Ruben Castro goal wasn’t enough to challenge the home side.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Barcelona (4-3-3): Bravo; Alves, Pique, Vermaelen, Mathieu; Busquets, Roberto, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Real Betis (4-2-3-1): Adan; Molinero, Westermann, Bruno, Vargas; Petros, N’Diaye; Joaquin, Ceballos, Cejudo; Castro
MATCH PREDICTION
Another 3-1 win, because Ruben Castro always scores against us.
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