Barcelona handed major boost as Real Betis star set to miss La Liga clash next week | OneFootball

After a run of four games without a victory in La Liga, Barcelona made it two wins in two under new manager Xavi Hernandez. Having first defeated Catalan rivals Espanyol 1-0 last week, the Blaugrana registered a 3-1 triumph over Villarreal on Saturday.

The result saw the Catalans move up the table to seventh place in the standings. However, they are still seven points off of league leaders Real Madrid. But the gap to fourth-placed Real Betis has reduced to just four points, and Barca will get a great chance to reduce that further when they square off against Los Verdiblancos next week.

Indeed, Xavi & co. will play hosts to Manuel Pellegrini’s side at Camp Nou next Saturday in what will be a crucial assignment as the team looks to continue making headways up the table.

And, leading up to that contest in a week’s time, Barcelona have received a major boost. This is because Real Betis will be without one of their most important players for the trip to Camp Nou. SPORT’s Albert Roge is reporting that Real Betis will have to make do without the services of key man Nabil Fekir in the game against Barcelona as he is suspended for the contest.

The 28-year-old is a pivotal part of Manuel Pellegrini’s setup and has been an ever-present in the lineup. He has missed just two games across all competitions this season, registering a tally of three goals and four assists from 18 appearances.

However, Fekir picked up his fifth booking in Real Betis’ 3-1 win over Levante earlier today on Sunday, which sees him get banned for one game due to the accumulation of cards. As a result, he has now been ruled out of the contest against Barcelona next Saturday.

This will come as a major advantage for Barca, who can cut down the gap to the Verdiblancos to just one point with a win in that contest at Camp Nou.