The FC Barcelona squad will make the trek to Seville where they'll take on Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.   Compiling seven victories in its seven opening away fixtures, the Blaugrana have been in solid form thus far during the La Liga season.

Tito Vilanova's football club will undoubtedly be expecting to pull out their eighth victory when they take the field on Sunday.  However, they surely won't be taking the fifth place Real Betis lightly, who has shown some promise under the leadership of Pepe Mel.  Most notably, their respective opponent prevailed against the likes of Real Madrid in Jornada 12. 

After numerous concerns surrounding Lionel Messi's status, fans received the news they were hoping for when it was revealed that the star player only suffered a bruised knee amid a collision with Benfica goalkeeper Artur Moraes. 

Although it was clear that the Argentinean's overall future wasn't in jeopardy, it still had many worried that Messi would be on the shelf for at least a couple games.

In between the goal posts for FC Barcelona will be Victor Valdes.  The goalkeeper sat out his team's scoreless draw against Benfica.  Some of the squad's key defensive players are likely to return as well.

On another positive note for FC Barcelona, Dani Alves is now at 100 percent fitness from a recent muscle injury, which should allow him to start at right back over Martin Montoya.  Shockingly, Alves had been taken off the club after a bunch of impressive performances highlighted by the Copa del Rey and Cordoba.

Nonetheless, FC Barcelona are clearly the heavy favorites over the underrated yet underdog Real Betis squad.

CLICK HERE to watch FC Barcelona face off against Real Betis via free live stream.  Coverage of the La Liga matchup is set to begin at 9 p.m. CET on Sunday, Dec. 9.

Tags: La Liga International Soccer