Real Betis and Valencia would have hoped for more from the opening exchanges of the La Liga season and Sunday’s clash at the Benito Villamarín Stadium has a fair amount riding on it.
Betis have won only two Spanish top-flight matches this season and there was further disappointment for Manuel Pellegrini’s men in Europe.
The Green-and-Whites were beaten in Glasgow by Rangers in their opening Europa League group stage contest, but Betis have been performing a little better than their results suggest.
Valencia travel to Seville following a 1-0 defeat at home to Real Sociedad and it’s just one win in five games for Los Che.
Pressure is building on manager Ruben Baraja and the former Valencia may not have the recipe for success in Seville.
Team news
Nabil Fekir, Marc Bartra, Willian Jose, Luiz Henrique and Youssouf Sabal are out for Betis. The Green-and-Whites are likely to recall Rodri and William Carvalho and Ayoze Perez could once again start in the central striker’s role with Jose missing.
For the visitors Selim Amallah is suspended after being shown a red card in the 1-0 defeat against Sociedad.
That means further selection issues for a side that are already missing Jesus Vazquez, Dimitri Foulquier, Sergi Canos and Alberto Mari through injury.
Real Betis @ 5/4
Betis have won only two of their opening seven La Liga matches, but they have been a little unfortunate not to collect more points.
Pellegrini’s men dominated the ball when drawing 1-1 at Granada last time out, and prior to that, the Green-and-Whites had 63 per cent possession, 18 shots and 11 corners, when playing out a 1-1 draw with Cadiz, and that’s a game that Betis deserved to win.
Betis have beaten Villarreal and Vallecano this term and they do appear a stronger side than Valencia.
Los Che have selection issues, with players missing through injury and suspension and this is a side that have won only one of their last five games.
Baraja’s boys never looked like scoring against Sociedad last time out and prior to that they were extremely fortunate to come away with a point at Almeria.
Betis’ indifferent results have them a little underrated on Sunday and they look a good bet to collect a deserved three points.
Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6
Betis have been extremely strong defensively at home this season. The Green-and-White have conceded only one goal in Seville this season and they have been excellent at nullifying opposition attacks.
Pellegrini’s men didn’t allow a single shot on target when hosting Atletico Madrid and they gave Cadiz only one opportunity to hit the net.
Valencia haven’t shown anywhere near enough attacking quality to suggest they can trouble such a water-tight defence and backing under 2.5 goals looks a solid play.
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