LIVE BLOG: Betis vs Barcelona | LaLiga
A perfect start meets a serious test in Seville. Barcelona are chasing a historic ninth consecutive LaLiga victory, but Manuel Pellegrini's third-place Betis are determined to challenge Hansi Flick's unstoppable leaders.
62' Eric García finishes the play to make it 4-2
Red card for Betis
Bernal leaves the hosts a man down after an assault on Yamal
Goal for Real Betis
53' Abde finishes off a quick play by Betis, narrowing the gap to 3-2
Goal for Barcelona
52' Gabriel Jesus only had to tap it in to make it 3-1
Goal disallowed for Real Betis
A real shame; Lo Celso had scored a spectacular goal, but the play was disallowed due to an earlier handball by Hernández
Goal for Barcelona
41' Rodri Hernández takes a shot and makes it 2-1
Goal for Real Betis
27' Valentín Gómez strikes inside the box to make it 1-1
Goal for Barcelona
10' Lamine Yamal pulls off another dazzling piece of skill and scores a spectacular goal to put Barcelona 1-0 up against Betis.
The match kicks off at La Cartuja.
Betis and Barcelona face off in a clash at the top end of LaLiga.
Barcelona’s starting eleven at La Cartuja
Betis’s lineup to face league leaders Barcelona
Betis vs Barcelona LIVE: LaLiga leaders face third-place challengers
Hansi Flick's Barcelona travel to face Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis at La Cartuja on Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 PM ET
Barcelona enter the match at the top of LaLiga with a flawless record of eight wins from eight matches, averaging more than four goals per game.
But Betis have enjoyed an impressive start of their own.
Pellegrini's side sit third in the standings and arrive full of confidence after a 5-2 league victory over Osasuna and a 3-2 Champions League win against Porto.
The matchup presents one of Barcelona's toughest challenges yet against a Betis team carrying plenty of momentum.
Barcelona chase historic Real Madrid record from 1968-69
Barcelona's perfect start has put a historic LaLiga milestone within reach.
Their eight consecutive league victories have already matched the club's best opening run from the 2013-14 season, when Gerardo 'Tata' Martino was in charge.
A win against Betis would bring the Catalans level with the nine-match winning start recorded by Real Madrid in 1968-69.
Flick's team have also won all 10 of their competitive matches this season, including two Champions League fixtures.
The challenge comes at the beginning of a demanding stretch, with PSG visiting on Tuesday before El Clásico against Real Madrid on Sunday, October 25.
Pellegrini looks to disrupt Barcelona's perfect start
Betis will aim to challenge Barcelona through their familiar approach of possession-based football, aggressive pressing and intensity in individual battles.
Facundo Bernal and Pablo Fornals could return to the starting lineup after playing reduced minutes against Porto.
Isco Alarcón remains a key creative option, although his involvement will depend on his physical condition.
Out wide, Antony and Ez Abde are expected to provide attacking threats, while Colombian forward Cucho Hernández is among the leading candidates to start up front.
Troy Parrott offers another attacking option as Pellegrini considers his lineup.
Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong return to Barcelona's options
Flick has received a boost with the return of Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong.
Raphinha missed Barcelona's previous two matches against Getafe and Galatasaray, while De Jong has been recovering from a medial collateral ligament injury in his right knee.
Whether either player starts remains uncertain given Barcelona's demanding schedule.
In defense, Pau Cubarsí appears the most certain selection, with Jules Koundé, Eric García, Espart, João Cancelo and Gerard Martín among the available options.
Rodri and Pedri are expected to play important roles in midfield, while Fermín López and Dani Olmo offer additional creativity.
In attack, Lamine Yamal remains the central figure in Barcelona's plans.
Betis vs Barcelona predicted lineups
Real Betis: Álvaro Valles; Bellerín, Llorente, Natan, Fran García; Facundo Bernal, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Abde; Cucho Hernández.
Barcelona: Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Espart; Rodri, Pedri, Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Gabriel Jesus, Adeyemi.
Three key things to know about Betis vs Barcelona
- A historic record is within reach: Barcelona could match Real Madrid's nine-game winning start from the 1968-69 LaLiga season.
- Betis are in excellent form: Pellegrini's side sit third and have recently beaten Osasuna and Porto.
- A huge week awaits Barcelona: Flick's team will face PSG in the Champions League before taking on Real Madrid in El Clásico.
