MX23RW : Friday, May 17 09:34:59| >> :60:2292:2292:
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
CReal Madrid36296183226193
2Barcelona36247574433179
3GironaGirona36236775453075
4Atletico MadridAtletico36234967392873
5Athletic Bilbao361711858372162
6Real Sociedad361512949371257
7Real BetisBetis36141484843556
8Villarreal36149136060051
9Valencia36139143740-348
10Getafe361013134151-1043
11AlavesAlaves36119163445-1142
12Sevilla361011154750-341
13Osasuna36118174054-1441
14Las PalmasLas Palmas36108183246-1438
15Rayo Vallecano36814142944-1538
16Celta Vigo36910174254-1237
17Mallorca36715142941-1236
18CadizCadiz36614162549-2432
RGranada3649233770-3321
RAlmeria36211233572-3717


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