Barça v Betis: La Liga returns to the Camp Nou
The Camp Nou will premiere in the 2019/20 league season with the Barça-Betis fixture (Sunday, 9.00pm CEST). Week two of the competition will see Ernesto Valverde up against Joan Francesc Ferrer 'Rubi', both looking for the first three points of the season.
First league game at the Camp Nou
One hundred and five days after Barça-Getafe, with the Catalans already league champions for the eighth time in 11 years, football returns to the Camp Nou.
It must be remembered that Barça have turned their home stadium into a fortress for the first match there each season. It's the fifth time that Barça-Betis has opened a league campaign at the Camp Nou; Barça having won the other four.
When and where to watch the match
No matter where in the world you are, our TV guide has you covered. Check the listings for how to watch the game live.
Betis, an attractive and fearsome rival
Real Betis, who won at the Camp Nou last year, have been reinforced with some big signings, and aspire to making 2019/20 a successful year. In fact, some of the signings have caused problems for Barça in the past. Juanmi has scored twice in culé territory, including one for Málaga to win them the game (0-1, 2014/15 season).
Fekir played last year against Barça for Lyon in the knockout stages of the Champions League and he proved to be a handful for Barça's defensive line.
Rubi, a member of the 2013/14 Barça coaching staff and a coach who has never won against Barça, has former Barça players Marc Bartra, Cristian Tello and Kaptoum in his ranks, whilst Barça have recently signed former Betis left-back, Junior Firpo.
The Andalusians will not be able to count on their centre-forward, Borja Iglesias, who, like Rubi, swapped Espanyol for Betis, but is out due to injury.
Valverde's squad
The coach has called up the following 18 players for the match:
Ter Stegen, N. Semedo, Piqué, I. Rakitic, Sergio, Arthur, Rafinha, Lenglet, Griezmann, Jordi Alba, S. Roberto, F. De Jong, Vidal, Umtiti, Junior, Iñaki Peña, C . Perez and Ansu Fati.
Todibo, M. Wague and Aleñá have been left out by the coach, whilst Suárez, Messi, O. Dembélé and Neto are still injured.
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