Previews
VIE 29.04.2016
Team News:
-R. Betis: Cristiano Piccini, Didier Digard and Juan Vargas (injured).
-FC Barcelona: Jeremy Mathieu, Sandro Ramirez and Thomas Vermaelen (injured).
Match Facts:
R. Betis (13th, 41 pts):
- Betis are tasked with putting their 2-0 derby defeat to Sevilla FC behind them and focusing all of their attentions on this game. Whilst the record books offer little reason for optimism, with 2008 being the last time that the Andalusians got the better of the Azulgranas, a return of three wins in their last five home games will certainly boost belief in the Betis camp.
- The Sevillians boast a proven goalscorer in their ranks in Ruben Castro. In addition to providing the side's main threat in the final third, the 17-goal striker has an excellent fitness record after having featured in all 35 of Betis's fixtures this term.
- In his pre-match press conference, Verdiblancos' boss, Juan Merino, declared that, "there's no doubting that my players will display all of their commitment and strength."
FC Barcelona (1st, 82 pts):
- Fourteen goals for and none against, such are Barcelona's goal statistics in their last two outings. The Blaugranas have responded to their wobble in emphatic fashion, registering an 8-0 away triumph over RC Deportivo and a 6-0 rout against R.Sporting to put themselves firmly back on track, as we move into the final straight of the Liga BBVA campaign.
- Of all of the Catalan giant's stars, Luis Suarez is the man in the hottest form right now. The eight goals that he has chalked up in the space of a week have propelled him to the top of the league's scoring charts (on 34 goals). The Uruguayan's goalscoring exploits over these two games also saw him claim several records, including being the first player to notch four-goal hauls in back-to-back games.
- Commenting upon the final three games of the Liga BBVA season and his side's intense battle for the league title, Luis Enrique stated that, "it's unlikely that the teams chasing you are going to slip up. The pressure surrounding the title race will make the eventual champions even more deserving of their crown."
What's on this weekend in Seville? The Ramses, Rey de Reyes (Ramses King of Kings) exhibition at the Pabellon de la Navegacion is well worth a visit. The exposition is home to over 60 exhibits of Egyptian art, including jewellery, furniture and various utensils, the pick of the bunch being a replica of Tutankhamun's sarcophagus.
Getting to the Benito Villamarin
Address: Av de Heliopolis, 41012 Seville.
Bus: Lines 1, 2, 3, 6, 34 and A6.
Stadium location here
Time: 20:30 CEST
Stadium: Benito Villamarin
Referee: Mateu Lahoz, Antonio Miguel
TV: Watch the game in your country.
Hashtag: #RBBvFCB
© LALIGA - 2016