Category: Liga Professional ArgentinaCategory Archives:

Barcelona vs Real Betis: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

La Liga resumes this weekend, with league leaders Barcelona welcoming European hopefuls Real Betis to Camp Nou for the 32nd Round of the 2022/23 season.

The hosts, albeit poor in other competitions this season, have been brilliant in the league, shooting themselves to the top with 24 wins from 31 games.

However, they have been wobbly recently and have won just one of their last four league games (D2, L1). A surprising 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano was the most recent of those results.

Yet the Blaugrana remain in pole position to secure a first title since 2019 thanks to their 11-point lead ahead of this round. However, their huge lead at the summit is perhaps sparking worries about motivation levels amongst the squad.

Read more: AS Roma vs AC Milan: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

But despite conceding two against Rayo, the hosts (11 conceded) are in line to better the all-time joint-best defensive record for a 38-game La Liga campaign (18). 

Returning to Spotify Camp Nou could boost their plans as Barcelona have conceded only two league goals there this campaign – one from a penalty and the other an own goal.

Real Betis travel to Camp Nou in a poor run of form, having won just one of their last five games (D1, L3). Their goalless draw against Real Sociedad last matchday saw Los Verdiblancos fail to reduce the gap in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.

Therefore, coach Manuel Pellegrini has admitted they are “fighting for the Europa League and everything else is a dream.”

The coach will be looking for a win, but he doesn’t exactly have a strong history against Barcelona to call upon, with the Chilean losing 23 of his 32 meetings in his illustrious career. 

Improving that will require an improvement on the road where Betis are winless in over two months in all competitions (D1, L3), losing both of their last two away matches in La Liga.

Given how solid Barca have been at the back in Camp Nou this season, a low-scoring affair is expected in this game. So an under 2.5 goals game will be the likeliest outcome here.

Gimnasia LP vs Lanus Match Preview

Two out of form clubs will meet when Lanus takes on Gimnasia for this Argentinian Professional league match with each side hoping to overcome their recent poor run of form.

Gimnasia has dropped points to Colon Santa Fe, Atl. Tucuman and River Plate to leave them winless in their last three matches, two of which have been losses.

Lanus has lost three and drew two of their last five games before this match and this will be a very tough test for them to overcome in their bid to get back to winning.

Gimnasia will be confident of earning a win here because of their fine home form that has seen them win four and draw one of their last five matches there.

However, Lanus are on a terrible run of form on the road with five losses from as many matches, so they will hope they can get over that wretched run of results and give their fans something to be happy about in this game.

Rosario Central vs Godoy Cruz Match Preview

Rosario Central and Godoy Cruz will clash in this Liga Professional fixture with the visitors looking to continue their recent fine head to head record against Central.

Both clubs have been inconsistent in recent weeks, with Central winning two and losing two of their last five matches.

Cruz has three wins and two losses from their last five matches, so either side will be confident in getting the better of the other in this match.

At home, Central has a fine record and haven’t been beaten in their last five matches there, but Cruz won on their last visit to this ground and they will be keen to ensure they get another one.

But Central will see this as the perfect time to get a win because the visitors have been terrible on the road. They have won none and lost three of their last five away matches.