Valencia vs Real Betis Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It has been a harrowing month or so for the city of Valencia and Los Che are returning to La Liga action this weekend with Ruben Baraja’s rock-bottom Valencians set to take on Real Betis at Mestalla.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 23rd November, 2024: UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Valencia vs Real Betis may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Valencia Preview: More than football
Valencia didn’t play their final two matches scheduled before the November international breaks due to the horrific flooding in the area. It will therefore be an obviously emotional return to football whenever it does get underway in the city as the city and entire region mourns.
It is trite to talk about football matters in this situation but, on the pitch, Valencia sit rock-bottom in La Liga, albeit with two games in hand in the Spanish top-flight. The Valencians have managed just one victory in their opening 11 matches. There has been a lot of supporter protest and unrest against the ownership of the club by Peter Lim with a relegation battle always to be expected and that is expected to be the case once again throughout this season.
Real Betis Preview: Upwardly mobile Betis
Former Malaga, Manchester City, Real Madrid and West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini is in charge of a recognisable and experienced Real Betis side that once again sit tucked inside La Liga’s top seven with some frustrating inconsistencies. The Andalusians have been steady in the last month or so.
Their entertaining 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo at the Benito Villamarin a couple of weeks ago came after a dramatic 2-1 win over Slovenian side Celje in the UEFA Europa Conference League. That pair of results and performances mean that Betis are now unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions.
Valencia Team News: Key issues
Rafa Mir remains suspended internally by Valencia as a result of being investigated by the police for alleged sexual assault and he remains under investigation.
Experienced centre-back Mouctar Diakhaby remains unavailable with an ACL injury alongside Thierry Correia, whilst midfielder Pepelu is missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Mamardashvili; Carlos Tarrega, Cristhian Mosquera, Caufriez; Sergi Canos, Barrenechea, Javi Guerra, Jose Luis Gaya; David Lopez, Hugo Duro, Luis Rioja
Unavailable: Correia (Injured), Diakhaby (Injured), Ruben Iranzo (Injured), Pepelu (Suspended), Rafa Mir (Disciplinary)
Questionable:
Real Betis Team News: A few issues
Former Leeds United centre-back Diego Llorente is an injury doubt for this weekend with former Real Madrid man Isco returning from injury, too, over the international break.
They also have a few key injury concerns in central midfield with Johnny Cardoso sidelined alongside the likes of William Carvalho and Marc Roca.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Silva; Sabaly, Marc Bartra, Natan, Perraud; Pablo Fornals, Sergio Altimira, Lo Celso, Abde Ez; Iker Losada; Vitor Roque
Unavailable: Hector Bellerin (Injured), Johnny Cardoso (Injured), Carvalho (Injured), Marc Roca (Injured), Aitor Ruibal (Injured)
Questionable: Diego Llorente (Injured), Isco (Injured)
Valencia vs Real Betis Prediction
Valencia have endured a miserable season on the pitch at Mestalla and the last few seasons have seemingly been leading to this eventual consequence: a proper relegation battle but perhaps one they will not find a way out of. They face a Real Betis side that are experienced and hardened, despite injuries, and one that, in a low-scoring encounter, will fancy their chances of simply being more cohesive and more controlled than their opposition.
Valencia vs Real Betis Tip: Real Betis to win & under 3.5 goals
