Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
EL Salvador
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
South Africa
United Arab Emirates

Preview: Real Betis vs. Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 16 February 2024, 18:44
European-chasing Real Betis will switch their attention back to La Liga on Sunday evening, with Alaves their opponents at Estadio Benito Villamarin.

The hosts will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg of their Europa Conference League knockout round playoff clash, while Alaves drew 1-1 with Villarreal in the league last weekend.

Match preview

Bruno Petkovic's 75th-minute penalty handed Dinamo a 1-0 victory over Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa Conference League knockout round playoff clash on Thursday, with Manuel Pellegrini's side therefore facing a battle to advance in the competition.

The Green and Whites have been in strong form in the league, though, picking up seven points from their last three matches, and they currently sit sixth in the table, one point ahead of seventh-placed Real Sociedad.

Real Betis are eight points behind fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, so it is going to be difficult for them to finish any higher than sixth this term, and they have found it tough to secure regular wins this term, only picking up maximum points in nine of their 24 league games.

Pellegrini's side have only scored 28 times in their 24 league games this season, which is comfortably the lowest record in the top six, while they have been the draw specialists in La Liga in 2023-24 alongside Mallorca and Cadiz, having shared the spoils on 11 occasions.

Real Betis have won four of their last five league matches against Alaves, but the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when the two teams locked horns in the reverse fixture back in October.

Alaves, meanwhile, have only won one of their last 11 league games against Real Betis, while they have managed just two league victories on their travels this season.

Real Betis have also lost only once at home in the league this term, demonstrating the size of the away side's task, but they will certainly be the fresher of the two teams this weekend.

Indeed, Alaves have not been in action since drawing 1-1 with Villarreal in La Liga last weekend, with the result leaving them in 12th position in the table on 27 points.

El Glorioso secured a return to Spain's top flight through last season's Segunda Division playoffs, so consolidating back at this level was always going to be their number one priority this season.

Luis Garcia's side are some 10 points clear of the relegation zone at this stage of proceedings and are also just two points behind Osasuna in 11th, so they have performed above expectations in 2023-24.

Real Betis La Liga form:

L

W

L

W

D

W

Real Betis form (all competitions):

W

L

W

D

W

L

Alaves La Liga form:

D

W

W

W

L

D

Alaves form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

L

D

Team News

Real Betis will be missing at least five players through injury on Sunday, with Abner Vinicius, Isco, Ayoze Perez, Guido Rodriguez and Marc Bartra all out, while Youssouf Sabaly remains a major doubt.

Head coach Pellegrini is expected to make changes to the side that started on Thursday, with Marc Roca, Hector Bellerin and Sokratis Papastathopoulos expected to return to the XI.

Pablo Fornals, who scored against Cadiz in the league last weekend, will also be back, while there should be another start at centre-forward for Willian Jose.

As for Alaves, Nahuel Tenaglia, Aleksandar Sedlar and Javi Lopez are out of the contest through injury.

Meanwhile, Rafa Marin had to be replaced in the 14th minute of the 1-1 draw with Villarreal last time out and is also expected to miss out, opening the door for Ruben Duarte to come into the back four.

Carlos Vicente is expected to benefit from Lopez's absence, but there are unlikely to be any further changes, with Samu Omorodion again set to lead the line for the Basque side.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Silva; Bellerin, Pezzella, Sokratis, Miranda; Cardoso, Roca; Fornals, Fekir, Ezzalzouli; Willian Jose

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Sivera; Gorosabel, Abqar, Duarte, Vicente; Guevara, Blanco; Sola, Guridi, Rioja; Omorodion

We say: Real Betis 2-1 Alaves

Alaves will fancy their chances of picking up a positive result here due to Real Betis' injury problems and the quick turnaround from their last match, but the Seville outfit are in strong form in the league, and we are backing them to navigate their way to all three points.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

1 March 2025 talksport.com Wilfried Zaha has wasted no time adjusting to life in MLS with Charlotte FC. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Al Nassr cult hero Anderson Talisca has got involved in his old side's affairs, leading to suggestions he was targeting Cristiano Ronaldo. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's teenage starlet Nico O'Reilly was at the double as the Sky Blues secured a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals courtesy of a 3-1 comeback win over a spirited Plymouth Argyle side at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid's La Liga title hopes suffered a setback in Seville on Saturday evening, with the reigning champions suffering a 2-1 defeat to Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis outfit. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly joined the race for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, with Los Blancos preparing to battle a number of clubs for his signature during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Goztepe SK will look to end their four-game winless league run when they welcome Samsunspor to the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Monday. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha left his side a man down and out of the FA Cup with a bizarre last minute red card. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United reportedly view Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery as a potential replacement for Ruben Amorim, should the club decide to make another change in the dug-out at the end of the campaign. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Millwall supporters are set to be investigated by the Football Association for homophobic chants aimed at Ben Chilwell. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made 11 changes to his starting lineup for this evening's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The reigning FA Cup holders take on a team who have never won the tournament in Sunday's fifth-round contest, as Manchester United welcome Fulham to their Old Trafford home. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has apparently turned down Los Blancos' first offer of a new contract amid interest from 'several teams' in the burgeoning centre-back. 1 March 2025 talksport.com A new rule is set to be introduced next season to combat time-wasting from goalkeepers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following their cup success in midweek, Sporting Lisbon will aim to build on that momentum when they return to Primeira Liga action on Monday for round 24, welcoming Estoril Praia to Estadio Jose Alvalade. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will continue their La Liga campaign with a home fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday afternoon. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has warned Joshua Kimmich that no player is above the club as the Arsenal-linked midfielder reportedly hesitates over a new contract. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Despite an initially promising start in coaching, John Terry is now set to switch careers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to rival AC Milan for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jose Mourinho's four-match ban has been halved and his £35,000 fine reduced after a successful appeal. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly not ruled out the prospect of making an effort to sign Chelsea defender Levi Colwill this summer. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Konyaspor will be looking to inject some much-needed momentum into their survival fight in the Turkish Super Lig when they host Trabzonspor at Torku Arena on Monday. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides looking to bounce back from recent defeats in the Turkish Super Lig go head-to-head on Monday as Gaziantep host Eyupspor at the Gaziantep Stadium 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro this summer. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Burnley players refused to shake the hand of Preston's Milutin Osmajic, who was accused of racism by Clarets star Hannibal Mejbri just two weeks ago. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jean-Philippe Mateta was rushed to hospital after a shocking challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend.
Something went wrong! Don't hesitate to let us know if you need any help.