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

Manuel Pellegrini's side are currently third in the La Liga table, three points behind leaders Real Madrid, while Girona occupy eighth spot, having picked up seven points from their opening five matches.

Match preview

Real Betis have won four and lost one of their five La Liga matches this season to collect 12 points, which has left them in third spot in the table, three points behind leaders Real Madrid.

The Green and Whites opened their 2022-23 campaign with three straight victories over Elche, Mallorca and Osasuna before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the start of September.

Pellegrini's team returned to winning ways last time out, though, beating Villarreal 1-0 in front of their own supporters courtesy a second-half goal from Rodri.

Real Betis have also made the perfect start to their 2022-23 Europa League season, beating HJK 2-0 and Ludogorets 3-2 to collect six points, which has left them top of Group C and already in a strong position to reach the knockout round of the competition.

El Glorioso finished fifth in La Liga last season, just five points behind fourth-place Sevilla, and they have the look of a side capable of challenging for a top-four spot in the table this season.

Girona, meanwhile, secured a return to La Liga via last season's Segunda Division playoffs, with the team back at this level of football for the first time since being relegated in 2018-19.

The White and Reds have made an encouraging start to the campaign, winning two, drawing one and losing two of their five matches to collect seven points, which has left them in eighth spot in the table.

Girona opened their campaign with a 1-0 loss at Valencia before beating Getafe 3-1 in their second match; Michel's side then lost their third game at home to Celta Vigo, but they have picked up four points from their last two fixtures, drawing at Mallorca before beating Real Valladolid 2-1 last time out.

Oriol Romeu scored a late winner against Real Valladolid on September 9, and the promoted side will now be looking to move onto 10 points ahead of the international break.

Girona have lost their last three La Liga games against Real Betis, including a 3-2 defeat in the corresponding match during the 2018-19 campaign.

Real Betis La Liga form:

Real Betis form (all competitions):

Girona La Liga form:

Team News

Real Betis will again be missing Victor Camarasa through injury, while Nabil Fekir, Juanmi, Youssouf Sabaly and Victor Ruiz are all doubts for the home side.

There will be changes from the side that started in the Europa League on Thursday evening, with Guido Rodriguez, William Carvalho, Rodri, German Pezzella, Rui Silva and Borja Iglesias among those set to return.

Luiz Henrique and Sergio Canales should retain their spots in the final third of the field, while Aitor Ruibal could continue at right-back for the Green and Whites.

As for Girona, Borja Garcia, Cristhian Stuani and Ibrahima Kebe are out of the match, while Ivan Martin, Yangel Herrera and Oscar Urena are doubts.

The visitors have no fresh injury concerns from the side that took to the field for the first whistle last time out, though, so it should be the same XI for this contest.

Reinier was on the scoresheet against Real Valladolid, and the on-loan Real Madrid attacker is likely to continue in the final third of the field alongside Rodrigo Riquelme and Valentin Castellanos.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Silva; Ruibal, Felipe, Pezzella, Moreno; Rodriguez, Carvalho; Henrique, Canales, Rodri; Iglesias

Girona possible starting lineup:

Martin; Espinosa, Juanpe, Bueno; Martinez, Garcia, Romeu, Gutierrez; Reinier, Castellanos, Riquelme

We say: Real Betis 2-0 Girona

Girona can be pleased with their start to the season, but Real Betis are one of the best teams in Spain at the moment, and we are struggling to see anything other than a home victory here, with Pellegrini's side looking to move onto 15 points from six matches, which would represent an excellent start.

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