This article is part of our Daily Fantasy Soccer Cheat Sheet series.
MATCH PREVIEW
Real Betis will face FC Barcelona in match day 28 in La Liga at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday. The game has greater significance for the home side, who are eight in the table at 39 points, just one point behind sixth-placed Sevilla for the automatic UEFA Europa League spot. However, Los Verdiblancos' recent form does not provide much optimism, as they've won just two of their last six matches in all competitions, losing three times. Real Betis' home form of late does not make pretty reading, as they've managed just four wins in their last 10 at the Benito Villamarin.
On the other hand, Barcelona come in fresh and high on confidence after thrashing Lyon in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 encounter earlier this week. The Catalan giants are comfortably placed at the top of the league table and will be hoping for another impressive performance to get them one step closer to the La Liga title.
Both teams have faced each other 35 times in the league competition, with Barcelona winning 20 and Betis eight. However, Betis actually came out on top back in November when the two sides played at the Camp Nou.
EXPECTED LINEUPS
Real Betis: Pau Lopez, Mandi, Bartra, Sidnei, Tello, Carvalho, Guardado, Canales, Joaquin, Jese, Lo Celso
Barcelona: ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur, Messi, Suarez, Coutinho
COMBINED XI
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marc Bartra (D): Bartra is averaging a solid 2.7 tackles per match, which he
MATCH PREVIEW
Real Betis will face FC Barcelona in match day 28 in La Liga at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday. The game has greater significance for the home side, who are eight in the table at 39 points, just one point behind sixth-placed Sevilla for the automatic UEFA Europa League spot. However, Los Verdiblancos' recent form does not provide much optimism, as they've won just two of their last six matches in all competitions, losing three times. Real Betis' home form of late does not make pretty reading, as they've managed just four wins in their last 10 at the Benito Villamarin.
On the other hand, Barcelona come in fresh and high on confidence after thrashing Lyon in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 encounter earlier this week. The Catalan giants are comfortably placed at the top of the league table and will be hoping for another impressive performance to get them one step closer to the La Liga title.
Both teams have faced each other 35 times in the league competition, with Barcelona winning 20 and Betis eight. However, Betis actually came out on top back in November when the two sides played at the Camp Nou.
EXPECTED LINEUPS
Real Betis: Pau Lopez, Mandi, Bartra, Sidnei, Tello, Carvalho, Guardado, Canales, Joaquin, Jese, Lo Celso
Barcelona: ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur, Messi, Suarez, Coutinho
COMBINED XI
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marc Bartra (D): Bartra is averaging a solid 2.7 tackles per match, which he supplements with 1.7 interceptions and 4.2 clearances. Therefore, manager Quique Setién will be expecting another solid effort in a very tough match.
Sergio Busquets (M): Busquets is one of the unsung heroes at the club, as he is very often overshadowed by the brilliance of the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. However, the 30-year-old is an integral part of the team and has shown his worth time and again for the Catalan giants. Busquets averages an impressive 2.6 tackles per game, which is the most by any Barcelona player. It is the work rate of Busquets in the middle of the park that lets Barcelona dictate the pace of the game.
Lionel Messi (F): Messi is being termed as the very best in his position, and he shows time and again that he is worth every bit of that title. The Argentina international is once again in great form, leading Barcelona with 26 La Liga goals and 12 assists, and there's little reason to think he won't have another big impact Sunday.
Captain pick: Lionel Messi
Vice-captain pick: Sergio Canales
