La Liga giants FC Barcelona will host promoted side Real Betis for their final game of 2015 at the Camp Nou. Ahead of the fixture, the Catalans would like to end the year with impressive results against the visitors in order to increase their chance of successfully defending the title. Betis, on the other hand, are well aware of the fact that they have not beaten Barca is almost five years in all competitions. Additionally, the last time they beat the FIFA Club World Cup champions at the Camp Nou was a decade ago. The visitors sit at the 11th position in the La Liga table, just six points off the bottom three.
Barca sit at the top of the table with a game in hand after their rivals Atletico Madrid lost three crucial points against Malaga. The defending champions have already travelled away from home to face most of their major rivals this year and it is now their turn to welcome them at home, something that gives them an added advantage regarding their title defence.
The Messi factor
This match is set to produce a historic moment as Lionel Messi is expected to make his 500th appearance for his club in all competitions. He will be looking forward to celebrating this achievement by netting against Los Verdiblancos. The Barca legend has an impressive goal-scoring record against Verderones, having scored a total of 13 goals in their last 13 meetings, and provided two assists, most recently during the 3-1 win back in April.
Leo's statistics versus El Glorioso 
Barca are expected to present their silverware at the Camp Nou ahead of the crucial match after a successful trip to Japan where they won the Club World Cup by beating River Plate in the finals.
However, the same cannot be said about their last two domestic matches; they drew against Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna before travelling to Japan. Betis will therefore rely on this fact to force yet another draw or better still, a famous win at the Nou Camp in front thousands of supporters of the Blaugrana.
Pep Mel’s side will also rely on the fact that they have only lost one away match this season in their last seven La Liga games.
Team news
Barcelona
Rafinha and Douglas are both unavailable for the clash. Neymar Jr is available for selection, while Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta could start alongside Sergio Buesquets at the midfield.
Real Betis
Betis have no injury worries ahead of this crucial encounter. Both Alvaro Cejudo and Alfred N’Diaye are one booking away from a ban.
Speaking before the match, midfielder Alvaro Cejudo was optimistic that his side would cause an upset to the defending champions at their backyard. He revealed:
"We have a nice opportunity and we will try to raise ourselves and produce a game that makes them find it difficult so they cannot be comfortable and then we have Ruben [Castro] who usually scores a goal against them."
Which channel is broadcasting FC Barcelona vs Real Betis on TV or online?
- USA: on various beIN Sports channels
- Canada: on various beIN Sports channels
- UK: on NOW TV UK and various Sky Sports channels
Watch Barcelona vs Real Betis in the USA on beIN Sports USA, fuboTV, beIN Sports en Español or beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 14:30 EST. You can also follow the match live from Camp Nou at exactly 14:30 EST on beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada, beIN Sports en Español or beIN Sports Canada in Canada. In the United Kingdom, watch Lionel Messi make his 500th appearance for the Blaugrana on NOW TV UK, Sky Go UK, Sky Sports 2/HD or SKY GO Extra at 19:30 GMT on December 30, 2015. From any other country across the world, go to our live broadcast page for more viewing options.
*NOTE: Live broadcast data is subject to change
Quick facts
- Barca have scored over 2.5 goals against Real Betis in their last 12 matches in all competitions
- Barca have scored at least 3 goals in their last six matches against Betis at the Cam Pnou
- Barca have scored more than 2.5 goals in their last 11 matches in La Liga.
- Barca have not lost a game at home in their last 15 La Liga matches
- Betis have scored under 2.5 goals in their last 6 games in La Liga
- Barca have scored at least two goals in their last seven matches at home in La Liga
- Barca have won both at half-time and full-time in five of their last six matches against Betis in all competitions
Official lineups
FC Barcelona: Bravo, Rakitic, Sergio, Alves, Mascherano, Roberto, Vermaelen, Mathieu, Suarez, Messi, Neymar
Substitutes: Ter Stegen, Pique, Iniesta, Bartra, Munir, Jordi Alba, Adriano
Real Betis: Antonio Adan, Molinero, Bruno, Westermann, Vargas, N’Djaye, Petros, Cejudo, Ceballos, Wolfswinkel, Castro
Substitutes: Gienenez, Pezzella, Digard, Portillo, Piccini, Van der Vaart, Joaquin
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