Real Madrid and Valencia’s match on Wednesday marked the start of the four-team Supercopa de Espana. The second semi-final between Real Betis and Barcelona will take place at the King Fahd International Stadium on Thursday evening, with the winner earning a position in the final on Sunday. The first trophy of the season is up for grabs, and while it is the least important of the four available titles it is still a major boost of confidence, especially if you win it against your biggest rival.
Barcelona is currently at the top of the La Liga standings and has been impressive on the domestic front this season. The Catalan giants edged Atletico Madrid to a crucial 1-0 victory in their previous game and will look to take it up a notch this week. Real Betis, on the other hand, are in fourth place in the league table at the moment and have punched above their weight so far this season. The Andalusian outfit edged Rayo Vallecano to a 2-1 defeat over the weekend and will need to work hard to achieve a similar result in this fixture.
Form Guide: Real Betis
Manuel Pellegrini continues to oversee consistent performances from Real Betis. The Andalusian giants currently sit in the top four in La Liga after losing only four of their 16 games thus far. And the Verdiblancos are unbeaten since the resumption of the 2022/23 season.
Given that they have lost six of the previous seven encounters between the two clubs, they do not have a decent chance of winning this game against Barcelona.
The Green and Whites are still in fourth position in La Liga, but they have only won two of their previous seven league games. Alex Moreno looks to be out due to a potential transfer to Aston Villa.
Additionally, having won only four of their last nine games played away from Benito Villamarn, they may not think highly of their chances as they make their first Super Cup appearance since 2005. Real Betis qualified for this tournament after beating Valencia on penalties to win the Copa del Rey last year. They are in good form after their 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano last weekend took them into the top four in La Liga.
Form Guide: Barcelona
After defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 the last time out, Barcelona picked up some steam and gained some separation at the top of La Liga. Barcelona will aim to win the Super Cup for a record 14th time after placing second in the league the previous season. They last won the competition in 2018, losing in the semifinals or championship game the previous three times.
Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 on the road in La Liga last weekend, extending their unbeaten streak in all competitions to seven games. Ousmane Dembele’s goal in the 22nd minute gave Barcelona all three points in a contest that saw both teams reduced to 10 men, In the dying moments, an odd wrestling encounter resulted in Ferran Torres and Stefan Savic being ejected.
But after 16 games, Xavi’s team has increased their lead at the top of La Liga to three points by taking advantage of Real Madrid’s defeat to Villarreal.
Now that Xavi is in charge, Barca will try to win their first trophy when they travel to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup, a game that they have won a record 13 times in its 41-year history.
The Catalan heavyweights, however, have fallen short in the previous three years, losing in the final to Athletic Bilbao by a score of 3-2 in extra time after semifinal losses to Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
How the game could go
Since the World Cup break, Real Betis and Barcelona have both had successful starts to their respective seasons. However, the Catalan giants will be considered the favorites to win on Thursday.
Barca has given up goals in five of their previous eight games, which favors Betis, but we think Xavi’s team will outscore their opponents and advance to the final on Sunday.
Under Xavi, Barcelona was a formidable force in Spanish competitions, but they currently have a few gaps in their defense. This season, players like Pedri and Gavi have flourished, and they will be essential to this match. Real Betis has risen in status under Manuel Pellegrini and can punch well when they want to. However, Barcelona is now the superior squad and should be able to prevail in this match.
Betting Predictions
Barcelona to win
The Spanish Super Cup semifinal between Real Betis and Barcelona will take place in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Barcelona overcame a shaky performance to defeat Atletico 1-0 in Madrid during their most recent La Liga test, and following that significant triumph, another one against Real Betis in Saudi Arabia may be on the horizon. With a spot in the Super Copa Final up for grabs, we don’t anticipate the Catalonian giants to lose to Betis now that Robert Lewandowski is available to play after serving a suspension. Bet9ja have 1.45, 1xbet have 1.47 and Paripesa have 1.47 odds.
BTTS (YES)
In a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday night, Barcelona once again showed their tenacity. For Xavi’s team, who had lost their previous two games since the World Cup, it was their seventh victory in ten games. There are a few defensive weaknesses there, as they have given up in five of their past eight games, but they have also scored in 12 of their last 13 games, so they should be able to end this game. I believe Barcelona will triumph in this match with goals from both teams. In the last eight meetings between Real Betis and Barcelona, only the former has managed to retain a spotless record. Bet9ja have 1.87 odds, Paripesa have 1.93 and 1xbet have 1.93 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Real Betis)
Borja Iglesias
With Moreno on his way to Aston Villa in the coming days. Borja Iglesias has seen Betis win each time he scored in this league campaign (W6) and may need that lucky charm again to improve his H2H record. He is the teams leading scorer and could be vital for Betis in this game Bet9ja have 4.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.50.
Anytime Goalscorer (Barcelona)
Robert Lewandoski
Veteran striker Robert Lewandowski returns to the Barcelona XI on Thursday following a short suspension and the lethal finisher is priced generously to get among the goals again in this week’s Super Copa semi-final. Lewandowski has notched a superb 18 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions for Barca this season and the 34-year-old should have opportunities to add to his tally against Betis in midweek. Bet9ja have 1.70 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 1.60.
Ousmane Dembélé The Frenchman was the difference against Atletico Madrid in his side’s hard-fought win as he scored the lone goal that saw Barcelona extend its lead at the top of the table. Today he would surely be featured in the attack as we can see him scoring once again. Bet9ja have 2.60 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 4.00 odds.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
