Real Betis 1-2 Barcelona – Betting Review
Match Summary
A strong second half from Barcelona saw them gain a vital win at a potentially difficult match in Seville. Thanks to goals from Raphinia and Lewandkoski, Xavi’s side stretched their unbeaten run to 14 competitive outings courtesy of a 2-1 victory at Real Betis.
The Catalan club arrived in southern Spain boasting a comfortable five-point cushion after Real Madrid slumped to a goalless stalemate in their last league outing. The team perhaps began with a degree of complacency as Betis had better chances in the first period.
As normal, Xavi’s men enjoyed a large dose of dominance in terms of possession, while Betis sat back and played on breaks only. The hosts weren’t willing to play a bit-part role though, and Borja Iglesias had a big chance that flashed wide.
Soon after, a fantastic block from Kounde stopped what looked like a certain goal. This was as close as it got for the home side, who created next to nothing until the own goal late in the match.
Raphinha saw a goal disallowed for a clear offside in Barcelona’s best moment of the period. Despite the visitors’ lack of fluidity, Betis keeper Rui Silva had to save smartly from Pedri just before the break.
Silva produced a second, much better save from Pedri just after the interval as Barcelona increased pressure and looked more dangerous.
Betis continued to focus on breaks but were reduced to speculative long shots.
Just as Barcelona was sweating on whether the goal would come or not, Raphinha tapped in from close range at the end of a flowing move.
Barcelona sat on the 1-0 lead and it looked set to be yet another win by the minimum possible margin until Lewandowski blasted home from a corner.
Minutes later Jules Koundé turned into his own net to set up an unexpected grandstand finish.
It wasn’t to be for Betis, as despite the late scare, Barcelona was able to hold on for a fourth successive league win. Fair score 1-2.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. Barcelona were the favourites to win @ 1.71 and although they drifted out (in-running betting) to almost double that when scoring, they were justified as the jollies based on controlling the 2nd half.
Moving onto the Asian handicap market for this contest. Barcelona briefly led by the two-goal margin needed for a full profit @ 1.88, but a comical own goal cost Barcelona -0.75 backers half of that profit, settling for a half win/half push settlement. To be fair, however, Betis merited a goal for first-half chances they missed, so the half win half push was completely fair.
Looking at The Under/Over goal line last of all, which finished Over 2.5 thanks to a flurry of late goals. Under-backers would have been counting their winnings for much of this game but everything went wrong for them after Raphinia scored. All things considered, however, the 3 goals were fair. Over 2.5 was the winning selection @ 1.91.
