Real Betis will aim to maintain their recent home form when they host Osasuna in a Spanish La Liga fixture on Sunday. The hosts are slowly beginning to find their form, while the visitors have been poor away from home.
Real Betis played out a 2-2 home draw with Nottingham Forest in their opening fixture in the league phase of the Europa League. Manuel Pellegrini's men also claimed a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad last time out in La Liga.
Both results are part of a solid start to the season for Real Betis, who are unbeaten in six of their seven matches in all competitions. They have also won two of their last three La Liga home matches.
Osasuna are also coming off a draw, having been held 1-1 by Elche in their previous La Liga fixture. Victor Munoz opened the scoring early in the first half, but they were unable to hold on and conceded the equaliser deep into added time.
It has been a mixed start to the season for Osasuna, who have picked up just two wins from their six league matches. The major problem is a poor record on the road as Alessio Lisci’s men have lost their three away matches this season.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Betis
Real Betis have been installed as favourites among the bookies, with BoyleSports offering odds of 4/6 for a home win. A victory for Osasuna is valued at 10/3 while a draw is priced at 11/4.
Head to head: Advantage Betis
Real Betis have a 21-10 advantage, with five draws in the last 37 matches against Osasuna. The hosts were unbeaten in the clash last season, earning a 2-1 away win in the first meeting before a 1-1 home draw in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Hernandez to star
Cucho Hernandez often carries the attacking threat for Real Betis and has scored two goals this season. The forward was also on target in the last meeting with Osasuna and will be the one to watch on Sunday (Cucho Hernandez anytime goalscorer – priced at 7/4 with BoyleSports).
Ante Budimir has caught the eye for Osasuna and also has two goals in La Liga this season. The striker scored in the last clash against Real Betis and could be worth keeping an eye on (Ante Budimir anytime goalscorer – valued at 15/8).
Probable line-ups:
Defenders Diego Llorente and Marc Bartra are both ruled out with injury, while Nelson Deossa is also sidelined. Hernandez was a second-half substitute in the Europa League and could earn a start on Sunday, while Valentin Gomez is set to continue at the back.
Aimar Oroz is the only injury absentee of Osasuna, with the midfielder ruled out of Sunday's clash. Munoz should continue his attacking partnership with Ante Budimi,r while Moi Gomez and Alejandro Catena are also expected to feature.
Real Betis: Lopez, Ortiz, Natan, Gomez, Firpo, Altimira, Lo Celso, Amrabat, Fornals, Antony, Hernandez.
Osasuna: Herrera, Boyomo, Catena, Herrando, Benito, Moncayola, Torro, Gomez, Bretones, Munoz, Budimir.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in five of the last six matches between Real Betis and Osasuna (BTTS YES – available at 4/5 on BoyleSports). The home team's last four matches in all competitions have produced over 2.5 goals – offered at odds of 5/6.
Real Betis have scored over 1.5 goals in their last three matches (Real Betis over 1.5 goals – set at odds of 3/4).
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