Francisco Hernández Maeso will referee the Betis-Barça match in LaLiga Matchday 15

FC Barcelona visits Real Betis this Saturday, December 6 (6:30 PM CEST) for matchday 15 of LaLiga, and will do so under the refereeing of Francisco Hernández Maeso. The referee from Extremadura was appointed by the Referees Technical Committee (CTA) along with Javier Iglesias Villanueva (VAR).

This season, it will be the first time Hernández Maeso referees a Barça match. The 37-year-old referee officiated Betis' 2-2 draw against Villarreal, on the ninth matchday at the Estadio de La Cerámica. Previously, the referee from Extremadura was the main official in three matches for the 'Verdiblancos' and two for the Blaugrana team.

How has Barça fared in matches officiated by Hernández Maeso?

In the league, Barça's only previous match with Francisco José Hernández Maeso as referee was in the 0-1 victory against Leganés, on matchday 31 of the 24/25 season. That day, the Catalans received one yellow card (Frenkie de Jong) in a match where only 4 fouls were committed.

The Lega, for their part, received a couple of cautions after committing 10 fouls. The difference was made by an own goal by Jorge Sáenz in the 48th minute. The home team ended up being relegated, and Barça lifted the title.

In addition, the Extremaduran judge was the main architect of the Blaugrana victory against Unionistas de Salamanca (1-3), in the round of 16 of the 2023/24 Copa del Rey. Barça won with goals from Ferran Torres, Jules Koundé, and Alejandro Balde to advance to the quarterfinals, where the team then coached by Xavi Hernández lost to Athletic (4-2 in extra time).

For their part, Betis has one win, one draw, and one loss in matches officiated by the 37-year-old referee. Last season, Manuel Pellegrini's team won 5-1 against Valladolid at home, but also lost 2-0 to Real Sociedad with the man from Extremadura as the main official

Barça's record in matches officiated by Francisco Hernández Maeso:

1. Matches: 2
2. Wins: 2
3. Draws: 0
4. Losses: 0
5. Goals for: 4
6. Goals against: 1

Barça goes for its sixth consecutive victory in LaLiga

Ahead of matchday 15 of LaLiga, Barcelona seeks its sixth consecutive victory, after defeating Elche (3-1), Celta (2-4), Athletic (4-0), Alavés (3-1), and Atlético de Madrid (3-1). Hansi Flick's team arrives as leaders, with a 1-point advantage, and faces a Betis that only losses one of their last ten matches and, last season, was the only team that the Catalans failed to defeat in LaLiga.

Both matches between the Blaugranas and the 'Verdiblancos' ended in a draw (2-2 in Seville, 1-1 in Montjuïc), although in the Copa del Rey the Catalans won by a landslide (5-1) in the round of 16. Barça has not defeated the Andalusians as visitors since January 2024 (2-4) and they have 29 wins, 17 draws, and 18 losses on Betis's ground

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