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Both of these sides will be quite relaxed and feeling generally quite positive about their respective starts to the 2024/25 season so it is an intriguing encounter down in Andalusia as Real Betis face Real Mallorca at the Benito Villamarin.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Monday 23rd September, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
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 Mallorca may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL BETIS PREVIEW: MANUEL PELLEGRINI’S LATEST EVOLUTION
Former West Ham United, Manchester City, Malaga and Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini has had many different incarnations as a manager down the years but this version appears to be slightly more conservative, if not still wedded to playing with what appears, on paper, to be a front foot and attacking 4-2-3-1 system.
Either way, it is helping Real Betis to get results. In their opening seven matches of the campaign across all competitions, Betis have suffered just one defeat and that came at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid. They come into this one on the back of a comfortable 2-1 defeat of Getafe in their most recent outing in midweek.
MALLORCA PREVIEW: NO MALAISE FOR MALLORCA
Last season, Real Mallorca reached the final of the Copa del Rey but there was a need to evolve the style given the amount of money that has been put in by their American ownership so following the departure of Javier Aguirre to the Mexican national side, the Balearic Islanders managed to recruit Jago Arrasate as their new boss from Osasuna.
Immediately switching from a back three to a back four, even up against Real Madrid on the opening day, Mallorca have been trying to be a bit more progressive this season and they have begun to find some form as they travel to the mainland on the back of two wins in their last three matches in La Liga.
REAL BETIS TEAM NEWS: STILL NO CARVALHO OR ISCO
Manuel Pellegrini has an experienced squad but he is still dealing with a fair bit of experience being unavailable to him due to injury such as William Carvalho and Isco.
Former Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund defender Marc Bartra also remains a doubt for Betis alongside emerging key defensive midfielder Johnny Cardoso for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Silva; Hector Bellerin, Diego Llorente, Natan, Perraud; Sergi Altimira, Marc Roca; Pablo Fornals, Lo Celso, Abde Ez; Vitor Roque
UNAVAILABLE: Carvalho (Injured), Isco (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Marc Bartra (Injured), Johnny Cardoso (Injured)
MALLORCA TEAM NEWS: DEFENSIVE ISSUES
Key defender Pablo Maffeo remains unavailable for Mallorca this weekend, albeit his effectiveness is perhaps limited as an out and out right-back rather than wing-back.
As well as the former Manchester City man, Mallorca do also have a couple of injury doubts such as Siebe van der Heyden as well as Javi Llabres.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Leo Roman; Antonio Sanchez, Antonio Raillo, Copete, Johan Mojica; Samu Costa, Omar Mascarell; Ruben Navarro, Abdon, Sergi Darder; Muriqi
UNAVAILABLE: Pablo Maffeo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Van der Heyden (Injured), Javi Llabres (Injured)
REAL BETIS VS MALLORCA PREDICTION
Manuel Pellegrini will have to soon start concerning himself with UEFA Europa Conference League football but, for the time being, his Real Betis side are simply focused on potentially challenging for a top four finish in La Liga this season. Mallorca travel to the Benito Villamarin with an evolved style but still with the ability to hit long to the excellent Vedat Muriqi. It would seem like a both teams to score bet is pretty good value for this one.
REAL BETIS VS MALLORCA TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE