Match Preview: Wednesday 24/01/2007 21:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 15
REAL BETIS BALOMPIE - FC BARCELONA -

Manuel Ruiz De Lopera, Sevilla – Capacity: 52.500
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco


Betis (4-4-2): Doblas - Miguel Angel, Juanito, Arzu, Fernando Vega - Rafael Sobis, Marcos Assuncao, Vogel (Fernando), Xisco - Capi, Robert (Dani) - Manager: Luis Fernandez


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Oleguer (Thuram), Marquez, Puyol, Gio (Sylvinho) - Edmilson (Motta), Deco, Xavi (Iniesta) - Giuly, Saviola, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Match Preview: Will the "Rabbit" strike again?

La Liga leaders FC Barcelona (1st/38 points)will challenge lowly Real Betis (18th/17 points) in a match (match day 15) that had to be re-scheduled due to the participation of Barca in the FIFA Club World Championship.


This is the great opportunity to increase the margin to 3 points clear at the top, if Barca wins. At the same time it would send the message to all other contenders that Barca is the clear favourites for the Spanish Championship. It also would bring a bit more calm to Camp Nou after the media and supporters have criticised the way of display by the Champions, despite regaining the top of the table.


Real Betis, after being very active in last summer´s transfer market, it looks like another disappointing year for the Anadalucians. During last summer the club also hired a new coach. Javier Irureta followed in the footsteps of former Barca coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer. Unfortunately, new coach Irureta, who had been very successful over years at Deprtivo La Coruna, had to face the fact that both top forwards, Joaquin and Ricardo Oliveira, had been sold by club owner Lopera, despite assurances that only one may leave the club and being replaced by a player of adequate quality. Before Christmas, with Betis on as low as 18th position in La Liga, Irureta quit after battles on and off the pitch with egocentric Betis owner Lopera. Betis replaced Irureta with former Espanyol and Atletic Bilbao manager Luis Fernandez.


Luis Fernandez had a shaky start with Betis: Defeat against Celta, Draw against Real Madrid (Copa del Rey, first leg, 0:0), Defeat at Osasuna and a midweek Draw (1-1) against the Merengues in the Copa Del Rey which was enough to progress to the Copa Del Rey quarterfinals. Finally, Betis was back in reality, when they drew with racing at home (1-1)


FC Barcelona will be without both right backs, Gianluca Zambrotta (leg injury) and Juliano Belletti (bruised ligaments left knee). The right full back position will be most likely be filled with Oleguer and the left full back position (occupied by Zambrotta in the last match against Nastic) will probably be taken by Gio (Sylvinho). Sylvinho and Santiago Ezquerro return to the squad after missing the Nastic encounter for Zambrotta and Belletti.


Real Betis will be definetely without former Barca defender Damia Abella. Daniel Lembo and David Odonkor are all suffering from long-term injuries and Brazilian midfielder Edu will also miss the Barca clash after picking up a knock in the last match against Racing. Romero and Wagner were not included in the squad for technical reasons.


My Prediction:
Luis Fernandez and Ronaldinho, this will be a very interesting encounter. I will carefully watch, when they meet face to face. Both, Fernandez and Ronaldinho had a major public fall out during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain.


However, Barca are top and have the chance to add three more points and go clear at the top when they play this game in hand. If Barca are in form on this evening, with hopefully Saviola scoring again, then Barca should come home with 3 points and add to the problems at Manuel Ruiz de Lopera.


It is in the hands of Barca and I am sure they will take this great opportunity. It will have to be a hard fought battle but the 3 points gained will send a massive signal to the other contenders Sevilla, Real and Valencia.


Betis - FC Barcelona 1:2 ...and the "Conejo" strikes again!


Visca el Barca!