Flick Confirms Raphinha Return as Barcelona Chase Ninth Straight LaLiga Win at Betis

Raphinha Cleared to Face Betis After Injury Layoff

Hansi Flick has confirmed that captain Raphinha is available for selection when Barcelona travel to Real Betis in LaLiga on Saturday, ending a brief spell on the sidelines for the Brazilian forward.

Raphinha missed Barcelona's 3-0 league win over Getafe and their 4-1 Champions League victory over Galatasaray after picking up an injury during the international break. His return hands Flick a significant attacking boost as his side look to maintain a perfect start to the domestic campaign.

Despite the green light, Flick was keen to temper expectations over an immediate return to the starting XI.

"If you ask him, he'll tell you he's ready to start, but I have to take it step by step," Flick said about Raphinha. "He trained well with the group, but we have to manage him. The good news is that he'll be available, and so will [Frenkie] De Jong."

Imperious Form Before the Break

The 29-year-old has been in scintillating form this season. He scored 12 goals in Barcelona's first seven LaLiga games, a tally bettered by only one player in the competition in the 21st century at that stage of a campaign: Cristiano Ronaldo, who struck 13 for Real Madrid in 2014-15.

Raphinha's remarkable run was underlined by a perfect hat-trick against Sevilla before the extended international break, during which he both scored and assisted for Brazil across two games against Australia.

Yamal's Workload Under the Microscope

During Raphinha's absence, Lamine Yamal stepped up, assisting three of Barcelona's seven goals across their last two matches. But Flick acknowledged that the teenager's minutes now need careful management, with the youngster having started each of the club's 10 games this season and featuring four times for Spain during the break.

"It's not an easy question to answer. We have to manage his playing time," Flick added on Yamal. "But the most important thing is that he enjoys playing football, and that's what he's doing."

Betis Bring Momentum Into the Clash

Upcoming opponents Betis sit third in LaLiga after eight games, level on points with second-place Atletico Madrid on 19. Manuel Pellegrini's side also enjoyed a productive week in Europe, defeating Porto 3-2 in the Europa League.

Players to Watch

Real Betis – Isco: The Spanish playmaker has scored three goals in his four LaLiga games for Betis against Barcelona, and has not scored more for the Verdiblancos against any other opponent in the competition (also three against Getafe and Osasuna).

Barcelona – Lamine Yamal: The teenage winger has been involved in 12 goals in eight LaLiga games in the 2026-27 season (seven goals and five assists), the most by a Spanish player after his team's first eight matches of a campaign in the competition in the 21st century.

Statistical Edge Points to Barcelona

Barcelona have won their first eight LaLiga games of a season for only the second time in their history, having previously done so in 2013-14 under Gerardo Martino. Only one team has ever managed to win their first nine in the competition's history: Real Madrid in 1968-69.

History also favours the visitors at the Benito Villamarin. Betis have not won any of their last 15 home games against Barcelona in LaLiga (D4 L11), their worst winless run at home against a single opponent in their entire top-flight history. Barcelona have also scored in each of their last 20 away games against Betis in LaLiga (52 goals in total), their best scoring run away from home against an opponent in their entire history in the competition.

Yet Betis arrive with genuine credentials. Their 19 points from the first eight games in 2026-27 equal their best record at this stage of a campaign in the competition (assuming three points for a win), matched only in 1934-35 (W6 D1 L1), when they went on to be crowned champions.

A high-scoring contest could be on the cards: Barcelona (six) and Betis (four) are two of the three teams that have reached 20+ shots in the most different LaLiga games this season, alongside Madrid (five).

Opta win probability: Real Betis 17.8% – Draw 18.7% – Barcelona 63.5%

Match prediction: Barcelona win.