Barcelona will be looking to get their La Liga campaign off with a victory, as the Catalan giants host Real Betis at the Nou Camp on Saturday night.
Ernesto Valverde’s side did not enjoy a great start to their campaign, losing 5-1 on aggregate against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.
The home side have lost Brazilian star Neymar this summer to PSG. However, they have brought in highly-rated full-back Nelson Semedo, midfielder Paulinho, while winger Gerard Deulofeu has returned to the club from Everton.
Barcelona may not have won the Spanish title last season, but they did win their last seven league games of last season, scoring three or more goals in all seven wins. The home side are unbeaten in 17 La Liga games at the Nou Camp, having recorded wins in their last 12 league games on home soil.
The Catalan giants also have a very good recent record against the visitors, winning eight of the last ten meetings in all competitions. However, the last game between the two teams finished in a 1-1 draw.
Real Betis finished 15th in La Liga last season after a poor run of form towards the end of the campaign. In fact, the visitors from Seville failed to win any of their last five games in La Liga, while also winning just two of their last ten league games last season.
Betis’ away record in La Liga is poor of late, as the visitors have won just one of their last eight games on their travels in the Spanish top-flight. They have also conceded two or more goals in six of their last seven away games in La Liga.
Unsurprisingly, Forebet predicts that Barcelona will kick-off their La Liga campaign with a victory and Real Betis’ poor form in La Liga will continue.