Real Betis vs Girona Prediction: Surprise leaders to lose top spot before Christmas?

Two sides who barely know the meaning of the word 'defeat' in La Liga meet in Seville on Thursday evening (KO, 18:00), as European-chasing Real Betis host surprise leaders Girona at Estadio Benito Villamarin.

The visitors go into this one knowing a win will secure their place at the top of La Liga heading into 2024, with just over half a season remaining. The White and Reds finished 10th in the 2022-23 campaign, 39 points behind champions Barcelona, but they have swept nearly everything in front of them so far this term, including Barca who were humiliated 4-2 on their own patch earlier this month.

Girona face stern opposition on Thursday, however, with Betis hovering just outside the European spots in seventh place. Manuel Pellegrini's side also boast one of the meanest defences in Spain, with only Real Madrid (11) and Las Palmas (14) conceding fewer league goals than the Green and Whites (17).

Team News

The home side are shorn of the services of a couple of playmakers on Thursday, with Nabil Fekir and Isco both ruled out, owing to injury and suspension, respectively.

Rodri could be handed the creative keys in their place, but Betis will also have to make do without the injured quartet of Claudio Bravo, Marc Bartra, Guido Rodriguez and Youssouf Sabaly.

The visitors are still missing Yangel Herrera, Borja Garcia, Ricard Artero and Toni Villa through injury, while a late check is expected on the availability of Ukraine international Viktor Tsygankov, who missed Monday night's 3-0 win over Alaves with a muscle complaint.

Tsygankov has scored three goals and registered three assists in La Liga this season, so he could be reinstated into the starting XI at the expense of Portu, if he passes a fitness test.

Match Odds

Real Betis are 9/5 to get back to winning ways at home after a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid ended a run of four straight victories there. Girona are the slight favourites to pick up the three points, though, at 7/5, while the draw can be found at 5/2.

Both teams to score on Thursday is 8/15 and it's 4/6 for over 2.5 goals, which has landed in Girona's last three league games.

Draw @ 5/2

Girona have won 14 of their 17 matches in La Liga this season, drawing twice and losing the other against Real Madrid. They're currently on a three-match winning run in the league and haven't dropped points away from home since the first matchday of the season, when they drew 1-1 at Real Sociedad.

With the season nearly at its halfway point, Girona justify their tag of favourites heading into Thursday's match in Seville, but they face a Betis side who are unbeaten in the league at Estadio Benito Villamarin this term.

The likes of Valencia and Osasuna have already been seen off at home, while Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were held to draws. Despite winning just once in their last six games in all competitions, Betis are actually unbeaten in their last 12 La Liga matches, a run that stretches back to September 16.

That defeat to Barcelona is just one of two in the league, and considering their home record and Girona's away form, a draw looks like the sensible bet here.

Girona to score in both halves @ 21/10

Girona have scored in both halves of a La Liga game on nine occasions this term, which puts them level with Atletico Madrid at the top of that particular table.

More than half of that number (5/9) has come away from home, with Girona striking either side of half-time at Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano, Osasuna, Granada and Sevilla.

21/10 looks good value for them to score in both halves of a game for the third time in a row on their travels.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.