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

Bottom-half sides Real Valladolid and Real Betis conclude their 2019-20 La Liga campaigns with a match at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla on Sunday evening.

Valladolid have lost three in a row but are four points clear of the dropzone, while Betis are two points and two places better off in 14th.

Match preview

Betis have already switched focus to next season following the recent appointment of experienced head coach Manuel Pellegrini, who will officially take over next month.

Pellegrini has targeted European football with Los Verdiblancos, having previously guided Malaga and Villarreal to the latter stages of the Champions League.

The 66-year-old will have his work cut out if this season is anything to go by, though, with 13th place now the best Betis can hope for.

Two wins in seven matches since sacking Rubi is not the best return, although Betis have at least avoided being dragged into a relegation battle.

That was not the case 10 games in when a 1-0 loss to Granada left them in the bottom three. It has been catch up ever since and Rubi was ultimately unable to save his job.

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Betis may be on a disappointing run but Valladolid enter this final-day fixture in even worse form, losing each of their last three matches.

The White and Violets went down 3-1 to Eibar last time out and face losing four on the spin for the first time since March 2019.

Relegation is out of the equation, though, as they hold a four-point buffer on Leganes in 18th place.

Valladolid are winless in their last six La Liga home games against Betis, failing to score in five of them in a run stretching back to January 2003.

However, Betis have not picked up maximum points on their travels in 11 games, with Mallorca the only side in the division with a worse away record.

Real Valladolid's La Liga form: DDWLLL

Real Betis' La Liga form: LLDWLL

Team News

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Valladolid remain without a number of players through injury, while the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa, Kiko Olivas and Pedro Porro are doubtful.

Ruben Alcaraz is back from suspension, however, and should come in for Matheus Fernandes in central midfield.

Should Mohammed Salisu fail to shake off a knock then Javi Sanchez will partner Olivas in the heart of defence again, assuming that the latter is fit.

As for Betis, Juanmi was sent off against Alaves and joins Zou Feddal, Alex Moreno and Guido Rodriguez on the list of absentees.

Andres Guardado has been ruled out with a thigh problem, meaning that Edgar Gonzalez and William Carvalho will likely anchor the midfield.

Elsewhere, Marc Bartra was an unused substitute last time out and will be eager for a recall for this final match of the season.

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Caro; Moyano, Olivas, Sanchez, Nacho; Hervias, Alcaraz, Emeterio, Villa; Ramirez, Unal

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Martin; Emerson, Bartra, Sidnei, Pedraza; Gonzalez, Carvalho; Canales, Fekir, Joaquin; Moron

We say: Real Valladolid 1-1 Real Betis

Valladolid may not have the best of home records this term, winning just four times at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla, but Betis have somehow been even worse when it comes to picking up away points - just 10 from 18 matches. This may well be a classic case of two out-of-form sides cancelling each other out on the final day.