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

Both teams were in Copa del Rey action on Wednesday, with Real Betis incredibly putting 12 goals past Hernan Cortes, while Mallorca recorded a 4-0 victory over Boiro to progress to the second round.

Match preview

Real Betis have not been beaten in any competition since September 21, when they suffered a 1-0 loss to Rangers in the Europa League, with the team responding impressively to that setback.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have actually won their last two in the Europa League against Sparta Prague and Aris Limassol to sit at the top of Group C, while they are unbeaten in their last six in the league.

The Green and Whites lost 5-0 at Barcelona in the middle of September, which was their low-point of the season, but they are unbeaten in the league since, winning two and drawing four of their last six.

Real Betis were 2-1 winners over Osasuna in La Liga last weekend, and a total of 17 points from 11 matches, gained courtesy of a record of four wins, five draws and two losses, has left them in seventh position in the table.

The Seville outfit have progressed to the second round of the Copa del Rey, meanwhile, courtesy of a 12-1 victory over Hernan Cortes in the first round of the competition on Wednesday night, with Willian Jose scoring four times and Rodri netting a hat-trick in the incredible win.

Mallorca's victory in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday was not quite as eye-catching, but it was still very comfortable for the La Liga side, running out 4-0 winners over Boiro to progress to round two.

Javier Aguirre's side have not been impressive in the league this season, though, only picking up nine points from 11 matches, which has left them in 16th position in the table.

Mallorca have won just once in La Liga this season, which came away to Celta Vigo in the middle of September, but they have been tough to beat in recent matches, drawing four of their last five in the league.

The Pirates drew 0-0 with Getafe last weekend, while they have also shared the points with Valencia, Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona over the last month.

Mallorca have not beaten Real Betis in La Liga since May 2013 and have lost the last three top-flight meetings between the two sides, including a 1-0 defeat in the corresponding match last term.

Real Betis La Liga form:

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D

W

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Real Betis form (all competitions):

W

D

D

W

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W

Mallorca La Liga form:

L

D

D

D

L

D

Mallorca form (all competitions):

D

D

D

L

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W

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Team News

A number of Real Betis squad players have made strong cases to start in this match with their performance in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday evening, but the team is still expected to be similar to the one that featured from the first whistle against Osasuna in the league last weekend.

Willian Jose has now scored eight times in all competitions this season and will again lead the line, while Rodri's hat-trick against Hernan Cortes should mean that he starts here.

There will be returns for the likes of Marc Roca, Assane Diao, Hector Bellerin and Juan Miranda, but Borja Iglesias, Marc Bartra, Youssouf Sabaly and Nabil Fekir remain unavailable for selection through injury.

As for Mallorca, Sergi Darder is on the sidelines with a muscular problem, but the visitors are otherwise in strong shape heading into the contest with Pellegrini's side.

Abdon Prats scored three times in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, and he will again feature in the final third of the field, with Vedat Muriqi set to replace Cyle Larin to start alongside him.

Antonio Sanchez, Jaume Costa, Omar Mascarell and Samu Costa will also be among those to return, with head coach Aguirre set to make a number of changes to the side that started against Boiro.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Bravo; Bellerin, Pezzella, Riad, Miranda; Rodriguez, Roca; Diao, Isco, Rodri; Willian Jose

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Rajkovic; Gonzalez, Valjent, Nastasic, Costa; A Sanchez, Mascarell, Samu, D Rodriguez; Prats, Muriqi

We say: Real Betis 2-1 Mallorca

Real Betis have drawn five times in the league this season, while Mallorca have shared the points on six occasions, so it would certainly not be a surprise to see a stalemate here. Real Betis appear to be finding their feet, though, and we are expecting the Seville outfit to secure a narrow victory on Saturday.

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