Real Betis host Villarreal in Sunday’s Spanish La Liga clash, with both sides level on points and chasing the top four. A lively contest is expected here, with Betis likely to edge it.
Betis come into this game off the back of a 2-0 win over Jagiellonia to secure a UEFA Conference League quarter final first leg advantage. It was a fine return to winning ways following the 1-1 La Liga draw at Barcelona and extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions, with seven victories in that run.
Home form has been pivotal for Real Betis lately, as they are unbeaten in their last five home matches, with four wins in that run. However, Manuel Pellegrini's men have failed to keep a clean sheet in five of their last six matches.
Villarreal come into this match following a 0-0 draw with Athletic Bilbao, a result that keeps them six points off the top four. While it was a solid point at a difficult ground, the result means Marcelino’s men are winless in three of their last four matches, suffering two defeats in that run.
There are some positives for Villarreal, who are unbeaten in four of their last five league matches away from home, winning 2-1 at Getafe in their previous fixture on the road. However, they are without a clean sheet in eight of their last nine fixtures away from home.
How the bookies view it: Upper hand for Betis
The bookies have installed Real Betis as favourites, with a home win priced at 23/20 by BoyleSports. A victory for Villarreal is valued at 7/4 while a draw is set at odds of 5/2.
Head to head: Little to separate
Villarreal have a 16-15 edge with 10 draws from 41 previous matches against Real Betis. The hosts are looking to do the double this season having picked up a 2-1 away victory in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Clutch Lo Celso
Real Betis forward Giovani Lo Celso has netted nine goals in the league and was also on target in the reverse fixture. He could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime at 5/2 with BoyleSports.
Ayoze Perez is Villarreal's leading scorer with 12 goals and will be the one to watch on Sunday. The forward has also netted in three of his last four away games and is priced at 2/1 by BoyleSports to find the net.
Probable line-ups
Tajon Buchanan, Ilias Akhomach and Raul Albiol are all ruled out for Real Betis due to various injuries while Pape Gueye is suspended for this fixture. However, Lo Celso, Antony and Pablo Fornals are expected to start.
Villarreal’s only injury concern is Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who is still unavailable. Asides him, they have a fully fit squad to pick from with Perez, Alex Baena and Thierno Barry all expected to start.
Real Betis: Adrian, Ruibal, Bartra, Natan, Perraud, Cardoso, Altimira, Fornals, Lo Celso, Anthony, Hernandez
Villarreal: Reis, Cardona, Costa, Foyth, Femenia, Baena, Comesana, Parejo, Buchanan, Barry, Perez
Anything else catch the eye?
The last three meetings between the two sides have produced over 2.5 goals and a repeat is priced at 4/6 BoyleSports. The last four meetings between both sides have produced goals in each half, which is priced at 4/6 with BoyleSports.
Real Betis’ last three games have produced over 1.5 goals in the first half and that trend can be tipped to continue at 6/4 on BoyleSports.
This La Liga match between Real Betis and Villarreal will be played on and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Real Betis vs Villarreal prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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