Barcelona in danger of collapse as Real Betis hunts La Liga history | OneFootball

La Liga arrives at the point where every point has felt like a gold bar. Matchday 30 rolls around smelling of a surreptitiously disguised decider, and right in the middle of it is Barcelona hosting Betis to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Both sides are on a good run of form, although for differing reasons. Barça would prefer to keep up the pace and stay addicted to the title race while trying to get away from Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Betis, though, is aiming high: they want to win again in order to sustain their scorching run and earn a spot in Europe's top competition.

FC Barcelona v Girona FC - La Liga EA Sports | Judit Cartiel/GettyImages

Barça on cloud nine, confident, and nipping at the heels

Barcelona Hansi Flick doesn't know what the taste of defeat in 2025 is like. 21 games in a row without losing and a final Copa del Rey already booked — against Real Madrid, to put some relish on the ending of the season. They have just beaten Atlético Madrid away and continues to pile up quality displays, backed by statistics: 18 wins and 3 draws this term.

That earlier victory was no run-of-the-mill victory. Beating Atleti at the Metropolitano in a semifinal, with the whole stadium against them, is no small feat. And the German coach knows his team is in rhythm. "I feel the team has confidence in itself. Even the lads who are on the bench. All of them," he said. No superman speeches, just group awareness. Still, this run isn’t just a fun stat. A win on Saturday could see Barça match the club’s best start to a year, 22 games unbeaten, a record set under Luis Enrique in 2016. And if they pull it off, it’ll also be their 10th straight La Liga win. When the tide’s flowing, you’ve gotta ride the wave, and Flick is paddling hard.

Betis sharp, ambitious, and chasing history

But across the pitch, there is another team making noise without clamor. Betis under Manuel Pellegrini is on a roll of their own. Six consecutive league wins, two months unbeaten. Their previous defeat was at Balaídos, a close 3–2 against Celta. They have since gained momentum, increased confidence, and even advanced in the Conference League.

Real Betis Balompie v Sevilla FC - La Liga EA Sports | Fran Santiago/GettyImages

The icing on the cake could be a historic triumph. If they win against Barcelona, it'll be the club's first-ever streak of seven successive victories in La Liga. They've done six before, in 1934, 1960, and 2018, but never made it to that seventh. It's a golden opportunity that doesn't come by often. But it won't be easy. Walking into Barça on foreign soil, fresh from the Catalans' demolition of Atlético and with a Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund looming, takes more than just flair on the ball.

It'll take focus, stamina, and ice in their veins. Pellegrini is aware of it. And he's already lost his best attacking cog: Isco is suspended for having racked up yellow cards. A blow to the tactical plan. However, the coach manages to get the most out of his players. Flick himself showered accolades on the Chilean's work: "He has a lot of experience and makes his players perform at their best," he said, commenting on Antony's improvement since joining Betis.

Physical, mental, and emotional limits tested

This game comes just 72 hours after that Atlético slog and before another against Dortmund. So yes, Barça's in the middle of the tempest. And Flick knows how fast fatigue can catch up with you. "We must manage our players' work. We need all players, and we will need fresh legs against Betis," he said. That sentence says it all. You can no longer rely on the starters alone.