Sevilla vs Real Betis

6/1- Sevilla have shown respectable for in this season’s performance but with the kind of potential they have 8^th position seems to be too low for their liking. Their performance in Europe this season has been very good and they have won 3 Champions League matches in a row and one of them against Arsenal. Their performance pre break was also satisfying as they managed to pull out a win every now and then and they were the last club in the Spanish league to defeat Real Madrid. Their opponents on the other hand are the visiting Real Betis, placed 17^th on the league table Real Betis has just started making their move towards the end of the first half and have won 2 of the last 3 matches played and the third one being a draw.

 

The history about matches between the clubs gives fairly equal results as Sevilla has won 6 times while Real Betis has won 5 times. The last match played by the home team was against Racing Santander at home and Sevilla ensured a 4-1 drubbing of the visiting team. Fabiano would be returning after missing a game and the striker’s form has been sublime along with him Sevilla also have the ever reliable Kanoute who has scored 8 times already. Along with all the talent and the striking ability, the strong home crowd will also play a part and anything less than 3 points would be an under achievement for the club.

 

Real Betis on the other hand have improved a lot in their last few games and would be looking for, at least a point of this away tie and for this the form of Pavonne would play a highly significant and determining role. But Sevilla would make this as difficult as possible for the visitors even to score a single point.

 

Prediction: 2-0, Sevilla win

Valladolid vs Real Betis

23/12- It is the second classic bottom of the table tie this week as Valladolid play hosts to Real Betis. Both the teams are locked on 17 points but Real Betis find themselves in the relegation zone just on the basis of the goal difference. Valladolid’s home record has been very poor and on the other hand Betis have a comparative weak away record to show for their efforts. There is not much to choose between both the sides except for their performances in the past few weeks. While Valladolid drew their last match against Sevilla at home, Betis came up with a spirited performance to beat Almeria 3-1 and hence were able to achieve their second victory in as many weeks. Real Betis have shown great determination in their previous matches and their game looks quite different from what it used to be 3 weeks ago.

Valladolid have had two solid strikers in Guteirrez and Llorente but both have not been at their usual best off late. Even if we go by past records Real Betis hold an upper hand as they have won 12 of the 18 matches played between the two teams and 2 matches have been drawn. Valladolid need to be an extra careful with their defense as well as their defense has been only the second worst to Levante as they have conceded 27 goals already.

Real Betis on the other hand are on a winning run and would like to carry the momentum in this match as well. An away win at this stage would mean that Betis would be out of the relegation zone as well as would have a fair chance to recover from the miserable start to the season in the second half. Pavone seems to have found his foothold and is the top scorer for the side. Both teams would want an outright win and incase the match end in a draw both would hope that Osasuna loose out on their tie.

Prediction: 1-2, Real Betis

Real Betis vs Almeria

16/12- Though placed in the relegation zone Real Betis will not be a walk over for the 11^th placed Almeria and the point that proves this fact is last week’s away victory at 4^th placed Villareal. Real Betis has been a side with potential but injuries and dismal performances have dragged them down, Almeria on the other hands have done surprisingly well and are on a winning streak as well since the past two weeks. They are at the edge of the top half of the table and would be hoping to soon register a spot there. They have done incredibly well for a side that was not present in Laliga top division last year.

 

Real Betis have not been that impressive at home this year but things are looking to change as they have won 2 out of the last 5 matches but the problem is that they have lost the other 3, the team needs to be defensive at times and needs to take of at least a point home in order to maintain a good position and prevent themselves from being relegated, this is something they have not been able to do, they have won or lost. Pavone and Sobis have been their mainstay and the home team would be expecting some fireworks from them. They can also expect a strong support that might try and help them move out of the relegation zone at least.

 

Almeria, the touring side, on the other hand come a pretty balanced side and would be hoping that Melo, who had missed the last match due to suspension makes a comeback, the club also has quite an effective striker in the form of Sanchez who has netted 4 times this season. The match can throw up a surprise but a draw looks more likely.

 

Prediction: 0-0

 

Villareal vs Real Betis

9/12- Villareal, currently second in the league on the basis of points they are tied with Barca while their opponents and second last on the points table and this explains the tale of two teams. The home side is fighting for the esteemed title and the visitors are fighting to maintain their spot in the top Spanish league. This is what adds spice to this encounter, Real Betis have experienced the change in coaches with the exit of Hector Cuper and the entry of the youth coach Francisco Chaparro to work with the side till the end of the season. This could be something that can work in favour of Betis as well as possibly a new coach could bring a new look to the squad and  raise the players’ moral as well, something that Betis desperately need.

 

Villareal though standing high in the league are entering this match after two very disappointing games, first a home tie against a team like Almeria followed by an away loss to Valladolid and hence to ensure that they do not get into a losing habit will have to convert this tie against Real Betis into full points as leaders Real Madrid have already moved 7 points away from them. The great news for the home crowd and clun is that their top striker Rossi would be back on the field and this probably can be the factor that can change the club fortune and bring them back to winning ways.

 

Real Betis’ problems are far from over as they will be playing without Pavonne, Doblas, Vega and company while they would be expecting some more goals from Sobis who is the club’s leading scorer this season. Betis have not managed a single away win this season and this seems to be unlikely as well and even a solo point from this match would be a satisfactory result for the new coach

 

Prediction: 3-0, Villareal win

Real Betis vs Levante

Fresh of a scarce victory against Real Zaragoza, Real Betis will be raring to go for 3 points of this away tie. Though the fight is between the two teams that lay at the bottom of the table, in the relegation zone its effect on the table can be quite different. Mariano Pavone was instrumental in the win against Zaragoza and Betis would be expecting a similar performance from him. Though Sorbis has not been in his peak form his mere presence along with Caffa and Edu cannot be ignored. Also Pavone may get a chance to be in the starting line up and Betis might go for a two striker strategy.

On the other hand Levante have been far too dependent on Rigano and no other striker has but his hand up, also as a team their performance has been way too disappointing and that has put them at the bottom of the table. In fact Levante are in such a position after 12 games that they seem to be surely relegated though theoretically there is a lot to play for but practically they have been ousted. Even if Rigano can put up a spirited home performance the defense does not look capable of backing him up and surely will face trouble if the Real Betis strikers are in their elements.

The only interesting fact about this otherwise lackluster bottom of the table encounter is the effect a Real Betis win can have on the points table. A win could mean that a side like Deportivo might just be pushed in the relegation zone and that seems quite probable with the kind of heart Real Betis has shown last week. Also this would be the 11^th loss from 13 games for Levante, who would then be almost booking a spot in the relegation zone for this season.

Prediction: 1-0, Real Betis win

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