Barcelona is set to face Real Betis in their upcoming Copa del Rey match on January 15, 2024. The game will take place at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. ET). Barcelona enters this clash with a burst of confidence, having recently triumphed over their arch-rivals Real Madrid in a commanding 5-2 victory in the Spanish Super Cup Final. This win marked their third consecutive victory across all competitions, highlighting their current strong form.
Conversely, Real Betis is coming off a disappointing 1-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Real Valladolid in La Liga, highlighting a stark contrast in momentum between the two teams. Betis will have to recover quickly to challenge Barcelona effectively.
For those interested in viewing the match, it will be available for streaming in the US via ESPN+ and the ESPN App, though it will not be broadcast live on TV.
In terms of lineups, Barcelona will be missing key players due to injuries, including Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Inigo Martinez, and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. Dani Olmo is expected to start in a pivotal role, possibly playing as a false nine in the absence of Robert Lewandowski, who is rested for the match. On the defensive end, Ronald Araujo will lead the backline amid transfer speculation regarding his future at the club. Inaki Pena will step in as the goalkeeper due to Wojciech Szczesny’s suspension following a red card in the last match.
Real Betis will be without Giovanni Lo Celso, who suffered a muscle injury, while Marc Roca and Pablo Fornals are considered doubtful for the match. Vitor Roque is anticipated to start as the sole striker, looking to impress against his parent club.
In historical terms, Barcelona has had the upper hand in previous Copa del Rey encounters, winning two of the last three matchups. While Real Betis may struggle, they have the potential to challenge an in-form Barcelona side. However, predictions lean in favor of Barcelona to secure a win, with a forecasted score of 3-1.
This match is not only a critical elimination stage in the Copa del Rey but also a chance for Barcelona to continue building on their success. Fans can look forward to an exciting matchup filled with potential surprises as both teams aim to secure a place in the next round of the tournament.