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

The home side are currently seventh in the La Liga table, one point behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, while Athletic sit fifth, two points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

Match preview

Real Betis suffered huge disappointment in the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening, as they were prevented from reaching the round of 16 courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Dinamo Zagreb in the second leg of their knockout round playoff contest, which handed them a 2-1 defeat.

Manuel Pellegrini's side now only have La Liga to focus on for the remainder of the season, and they will be determined to secure a top-six spot and more European action for next term.

The Green and Whites have a record of nine wins, 12 draws and four defeats from 25 league matches this term to collect 39 points, which has left them in seventh position in the table, one point behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad.

Only Real Madrid (one), Girona (three) and Barcelona (three) have lost fewer league games than Real Betis this term, but too many draws have presented from from pushing higher up the division at this stage.

The Seville outfit will bring a four-game unbeaten run in the league into Sunday's contest, picking up eight points from their matches against Mallorca, Getafe, Cadiz and Alaves.

Athletic, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 3-2 victory over second-placed Girona last time out, with Alex Berenguer scoring twice and Inaki Williams also registering during a strong performance.

The Lions are chasing a top-four position this season, and they currently sit fifth in the table, one point behind fourth-placed Atletico on the same number of matches (25).

Ernesto Valverde's side have won 14, drawn seven and lost four of their 25 league games during an excellent campaign to date, and they are also bidding to win the Copa del Rey this season, leading Atletico 1-0 ahead of the second leg of their semi-final at San Mames on February 29.

Athletic have the fifth-best away record in La Liga this season, picking up 17 points from 12 matches, while Real Betis have the seventh-best home record, suffering just one loss from 13 matches.

The Lions recorded a 4-2 victory over Real Betis in the reverse match earlier this season, but the two teams played out a goalless draw when they last locked horns in Seville in December 2022.

Real Betis La Liga form:

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Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

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Team News

Real Betis will again be missing Ezequiel Avila, Abner Vinicius, Isco, Ayoze Perez, Guido Rodriguez and Marc Bartra for this contest due to injury problems.

Meanwhile, the home side will also be unable to call upon Marc Roca, Juan Miranda or Sokratis Papastathopoulos, with all three players picking up milestone yellow cards against Alaves last time out.

Willian Jose is expected to be back at the tip of the attack for Sunday's contest, while Hector Bellerin will also return to the side, having dropped down to the bench for Thursday's European affair in Zagreb.

As for Athletic, Inigo Lekue and Ander Herrera are both out of the contest due to hamstring problems, while Yuri Berchiche is a doubt due to a muscular issue.

Berenguer's brace against Girona last time out will mean that the Spaniard keeps his spot in the side, but he could move into a central area to allow Nico Williams to return in a wide area.

Oscar de Marcos replaced Lekue off the bench against Girona and that change will take place ahead of kickoff here, while Yuri will continue at left-back providing that he passes a late fitness test.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Silva; Bellerin, Pezzella, Riad, Ruibal; Cardoso, Carvalho; Fornals, Fekir, Ezzalzouli; Willian Jose

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Yuri; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; I Williams, Berenguer, N Williams; Guruzeta

We say: Real Betis 1-2 Athletic Bilbao

Real Betis have been difficult to beat this season, especially at home, but the Green and Whites are set to be without so many important players for this match, and they will be facing one of the best sides in the league. We are expecting a close game in terms of the scoreline but are predicting a narrow away success here.

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