MADRID, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona have a vital La Liga game away to Real Betis on Sunday which could decide if they have a realistic chance of retaining their La Liga title.

Barca go into the game eight points behind Girona, who have played an extra game, and seven behind Real Madrid, and that gap could have grown to 11 and 10 points respectively by the time Barca's match kicks off.

If Girona win at home to Sevilla and Real Madrid do the same against rock-bottom Almeria, then only a win at the Benito Villamarin Stadium would keep Barca in touching distance of the top two.

Xavi Hernandez's side returned from the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia in crisis after last Sunday's 4-1 thrashing to Real Madrid, although they were able to recover some stability with a 3-1 win away to third tier Unionistas de Salamanca on Thursday.

Even that game highlighted Barca's ongoing issues in defense, with Joao Cancelo, Inigo Martinez and Marcos Alonso out through injury along with midfielder Gavi, whose running is so vital in pressing rivals high up the field.

Although he scored with a powerful shot on Thursday, Jules Kounde has lacked confidence in recent weeks, perhaps because of continually swapping between central defense and right-back, while Ronald Araujo has also been below his best, perhaps due to rumors of interest from other clubs.

Real Betis also have problems, with Manuel Pellegrini's side only winning one of its last five league games and crashing out of the third round of the Copa del Rey against Alaves.

They have lost the former Barca duo of Eze Abde and Chadi Rhiad to the Africa Cup of Nations, while key players such as Ayoze Perez, Guido Rodriguez and Aitor Ruibal form part of a long injury list.

One advantage for the home side is that they have had all week to prepare for Sunday's game, while Barca will also have half an eye on what promises to be a tough cup quarterfinal away to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night in what promises to be a hostile San Mames Stadium. Enditem

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