Preview: Barça V Betis
Tuesday, 23 September 08, 07:22 PM · Comments(22)
Pep Guardiola has made just one change to the squad he used for Sunday's game at Sporting Gijon. Thierry Henry has recovered from his throat infection and returns in place of Pedro Rodriguez. Given Andres Iniesta's excellent performance on the left wing on Sunday Guardiola may not want to meddle too much with the team; however, Guardiola seems determined to give Henry chances in the hope that the Frenchman will eventually regain his form. I don't know why but I have a sneaking feeling that Henry will play at centre forward tomorrow in place of Samuel Eto'o.
The other big question is whether Sergio Busquets will be given another chance. I have to say that I think he should play. I know people are worried that Toure Yaya will get fed up and leave if he keeps getting left out; however, there is nothing better than some competition for places, and if Toure is not capable of proving himself in training and with the minutes he does get to play, then maybe he is not the player we thought he was. Personally I think Toure will recover his place, but he doesn't seem in the best form at the moment. At least he has until Christmas to find his form and when he does I'm sure there will be no stopping him.
Betis arrive at Camp Nou still awaiting their first league goal of the season. So far they have only managed two 0-0 draws, with Getafe and Sevilla, and a 0-1 defeat at home to Recreativo on the opening day of the season. Injuries to Edu, who scored twice in last season's 3-2 win over Barça at the Ruiz de Lopera stadium, and Xisco have weakened the Betis attack, but there will still be danger from Hugo Pavone and ex-blaugrana Sergio Garcia who signed for Betis this summer from Zaragoza for €10 million.
Barça will be looking to build on the 1-6 win in Gijon and Guardiola will be trying his best to make sure the players don't relax. Unfortunately another low attendance is expected as the game is being shown live on Spanish TV, the weather has been miserable today and the forecast says tomorrow will be the same, and also the game coincides with the end of the city's La Merce fiestas. Whatever the case there are no excuses for not picking up the three points. Last season Barça won the corresponding game 3-0 with a goal from Henry and two from Ronaldinho.
Barça´s 18-man squad: Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Puyol, Marquez, Piqué, Caceres, Abidal, Toure, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Keita, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Messi, Bojan, Eto'o Henry.
Possible starting XI: Valdés, Alves, Marquez, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Keita; Messi, Henry, Iniesta.
My Prediction: Barça 3 Betis 1.
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Betis must be getting angry, I predict at least one goal for them, even if its an own goal, but several for Barca.
Hehe, I thought something was wrong 
I'm looking forward to this game. Now its time to prove some consistancy. My prediction: 3-0 for Barca!
Ole!
predictn
barca 4 - 1 betis
about toure, i dont understand...hw is he out of form when he has hardly played
i'm happy for busquets but thats no excuse for toure's lack of playin minutes, keita can get a rest for toure to play
Barca 4 Betis 1.
Xavi 1, Henry 1, Messi 2 goals 
2-2 DRAW , i am really disappointed with the number of appearances that toure made so far , i wish he could play more often as he was one of the best 3 players of last season . i predict a tough game for barca and a very strong opponent good luck for barca and i hope my prediction doesn't really happen
i think we get the win, but i'm not 100% confident in our defense yet. 3-1 Barca
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Apologies for any technical problems experienced in the last hour. Finally got the full version of the preview up.
Barcelona 2 - 0 Betis