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It has been a positive start to the campaign for Real Betis but the possibility and probability of having stagnated still looms large as they face Espanyol at the Benito Villamarin in Seville this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 29th September, 2024 - UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT –9:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Betis vs Espanyol may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL BETIS PREVIEW: THE REAL REAL BETIS
Under the management of former Manchester City, Real Madrid, Malaga and West Ham United coach Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw in the Canary Islands against Las Palmas in midweek with Giovani Lo Celso scoring a first-half stoppage-time equaliser to cancel out Alberto Moleiro’s opener.
The Andalusians have been steady in the opening month or so of this campaign but things are going to become a lot busier as the UEFA Europa Conference League league phase gets underway. They have suffered just two defeats in their opening nine matches across all competitions so far this season.
ESPANYOL PREVIEW: IMPRESSIVE ESPANYOL
Following promotion back to the top-flight last season, Espanyol lost coach Luis Garcia to the Qatari national team where he now assists Tintin Marquez. His replacement was B team coach Manolo Gonzalez and, after a shaky start, the Catalans have balanced resilience with an ability and willingness to play to make them surprisingly effective.
They have suffered four defeats in their opening seven matches and do come into this one on the back of back-to-back losses against Real Madrid and Villarreal but that isn’t who they will be measured against. Betis perhaps also fall into that category but they have shown an ability to make it difficult for the better sides.
REAL BETIS TEAM NEWS: ROQUE NOW OUT
After a positive start to the season after joining from Real Madrid, Vitor Roque has now joined the Betis injury list alongside the likes of William Carvalho and Isco.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Silva; Ruibal, Llorente, Natan, Perraud; Cardoso, Roca; Fornals, Lo Celso, Abde Ez; Diao
UNAVAILABLE: Sabaly (Injured), Carvalho (Injured), Isco (Injured), Vitor Roque (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Bartra (Injured)
ESPANYOL TEAM NEWS: THE EXPERIENCED ESPOSITO
A few experienced players have been unavailable for Espanyol at times this season but key midfielder Edu Exposito is one that remains an absentee this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Olivan; Tejero, Kral, Lozano, Carreras; Puado, Veliz
UNAVAILABLE: Esposito (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL BETIS VS ESPANYOL PREDICTION
Real Betis welcome Espanyol down to Seville with a need to get some more ‘easy’ points on the board before their European season kicks in. Betis have a fair few options to rest and rotate across the pitch but there is a lethargy and lack of energy that can be used against them. Espanyol have proven themselves to be organised and detailed in their planning so will seek to frustrate the hosts and it could well be a game of fine margins in the end.
REAL BETIS VS ESPANYOL TIP: UNDER 3.5 GOALS