Barcelona will put their perfect record on the line in Seville on Saturday when they meet Real Betis in La Liga Round 9. Hansi Flick’s side have won all 10 of their games this season, but Real Betis are third in La Liga, have not lost a league match at La Cartuja for more than 10 months and have already beaten Real Madrid this season.
Where to watch
Kick off is at 5:30pm BST, which is 6:30pm local time, on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Estadio de La Cartuja. In the UK, Premier Sports will show the match, with a live stream available on the Premier Sports Player.
Barcelona’s flawless run
Barcelona have played 10 games and won all 10. Their start under Hansi Flick has been perfect, yet the trip to Seville on Saturday evening could represent the biggest test of that run so far. Real Betis occupy third place in La Liga, are thriving in the Champions League and have gone more than 10 months without losing a league match at La Cartuja.
Barca were rampant again in midweek. Galatasaray went ahead in Istanbul through Aleksey Batrakov’s deflected strike, but João Cancelo levelled before half time and Lamine Yamal seized control after the break. Yamal set up FermÃn López and Anthony Gordon, while Karim Adeyemi completed a 4-1 victory that lifted Barcelona to the top of the Champions League standings with nine goals from two matches.
In La Liga, the figures are remarkable. They have eight wins from eight, 34 goals scored and a lead of five points over Atlético Madrid at the summit. With a trip to PSG on Tuesday and the Clásico on October 25, Flick faces a significant week.
Betis’ strong form
Betis may be the best team in Spain behind Barcelona on current form. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have collected 19 points from eight games, trounced Osasuna 5-2 last weekend and have already defeated Real Madrid this season. In Europe, they have won both Champions League matches 3-2, away to Lille and at home to Porto in midweek.
La Cartuja has turned into a fortress. Betis have not lost a league game at their temporary home since December 6 2025, and that defeat came against Barcelona. Antony gave Betis an early lead that night, but Ferran Torres scored three times and Roony Bardghji and Lamine Yamal also scored as Barca struck five times in under an hour on the way to a 5-3 win.
Team news
Raphinha trained with the rest of the squad on Thursday for the first time since sustaining a thigh injury on international duty with Brazil on September 29. The Brazilian is pushing to make the trip to Seville but may be held back for Tuesday’s visit to PSG. In any case, Barcelona are not expected to take risks with the Clásico approaching.
Frenkie de Jong is also back in training after a knee problem and could return to the squad, though not necessarily to the starting XI. Pedri came off against Galatasaray with a stomach upset rather than an injury and should be available. Andreas Christensen (quad) and Bardghji (knee) remain out.
Gabriel Jesus is expected to continue up front if Raphinha is not ready to start.
Betis are without Junior Firpo, who injured his left adductor on international duty with the Dominican Republic. Aitor Ruibal is a doubt because of his fitness. Isco, Abde Ezzalzouli, Antony, Marc Roca and Nelson Deossa all came through the Porto game, although several have had a heavy workload.
Expected XIs
Real Betis: Vallés; BellerÃn, Natan, ValentÃn Gómez, Fran GarcÃa; Ceballos, Deossa; Antony, Isco, Abde; Parrott
Barcelona: Joan GarcÃa; Koundé, CubarsÃ, Gerard MartÃn, Cancelo; Rodri, Pedri, FermÃn; Lamine Yamal, Gabriel Jesus, Gordon
Real Betis are a good side but Barcelona are even better. The hosts will provide a test but it is one the Catalans will come through.
