Real Betis welcome rock-bottom Valladolid to the Estadio Benito Villamarin in La Liga on Thursday night, hoping to break into the top five in the table which would yield a UEFA Champions League (UCL) spot for next season.
Indeed, the hosts are currently in sixth, but just one point behind fifth-placed Villarreal, albeit with them playing a game fewer. Betis won 3-1 at Girona last time out in a match that saw two of our three recommended bets come through, in what was their first win in three in all competitions.
Their form is much better on home turf though, having won four of their previous five home league games. The same cannot be said for Valladolid, who have astonishingly lost 12 of their last 13 league fixtures.
The visitors are on the brink of relegation having won four matches all season, although one of them did come in the reverse fixture in January. Betis were unbeaten in the previous five meetings though.
How the bookies view it: Betis big favourites
Betis have as short as 2/11 odds with BoyleSports to win this one, with a draw priced as far out as 11/2. Valladolid are firm outsiders at 12/1 with BoyleSports to produce a shock victory.
Recent head-to-head: Valladolid's rare victory
As mentioned, Valladolid beat Betis when these two teams met earlier this season, as the hosts edged it 1-0 thanks to a Kike Perez goal just before the hour mark.
Players to watch: Isco a difference-maker
Isco scored and assisted for Betis in their win over Girona, and is often their difference-maker. The Spaniard can be backed at 5/4 with BoyleSports to score again on Thursday.
Raul Moro netted for Valladolid in their 3-2 defeat at home to Osasuna last time out, and is one of their overall biggest attacking threats.
Predicted lineups
Betis are expected to be without Marc Roca, Diego Llorente, Ricardo Rodriguez and Ezequiel Avila, while they may also rotate a little having played in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL).
Valladolid will be missing number one goalkeeper Karl Hein again, while they will also be unable to call on the services of Anuar Tuhami.
Real Betis: Adrian, Ruibal, Bartra, Natan, Perraud, Cardoso, Fornals, Antony, Isco, Ezzalzouli, Hernandez.
Valladolid: Ferrera, Candela, Aidoo, Sanchez, Henrique, Juric, Machis, Chuky, Grillitsch, Moro, Latasa.
Anything else catch the eye?
With Betis such huge favourites, we have to be creative in terms of the markets we explore. Three of the last four H2Hs have not seen both teams score, so backing Betis to win to nil at 20/23 with BoyleSports seems sensible.
With Valladolid having shipped 39 goals in their previous 13 matches at an average of three per game too, Betis could win this one very comfortably. BoyleSports are offering a price boost of 4/1 for the hosts to win by exactly three goals, which could be worthy of a punt.
This La Liga match between Real Betis and Valladolid will be played on and kick off at 20:30. Check below for our tipsters best Real Betis vs Valladolid prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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