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Real Betis vs Espanyol predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the visitors target a much needed result in Seville.
| Date | Saturday 15th April 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 18:30 (CET) |
| Stadium | Benito Villamarin |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Real Betis vs Espanyol Preview
Espanyol take their survival battle to the Benito Villamarin this weekend and they could really do with a surprise win after a poor start to life under new management last weekend. Betis are also hoping to bounce back from defeat and need all the points if they want to stay in serious top four contention.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side missed a good opportunity last weekend as they sunk to a 2-0 home defeat against lowly Cadiz and it was a familiar story with ill discipline a major factor in the outcome. Sergio Canales saw red for denying a Cadiz player a goalscoring opportunity in the 1st Half of that match and Aitor Ruibal’s red card on the hour mark ended any prospect of Betis getting a result.
That pushed Betis on to 12 reds for the season in LaLiga, a ridiculous tally even in a league where referees have been dishing out cards at an astonishing rate this season. No club in Europe’s big five leagues have seen more of their players sent off while just one Premier League club has more than 3 reds this term. Betis inevitably have selection issues as a result here with those suspensions to go with a number of injury absentees.
Espanyol are also missing three players to suspension though and their overall problems are considerably more serious. It’s five straight defeats after they lost 2-1 at home to Athletic Club in their first game under the management of Luis Garcia. It wasn’t the start the former Espanyol player would have been looking for and any hint of the honeymoon period that was so badly needed will be gone if they lose this one.
In truth, we saw little from Espanyol last week to suggest they are going to be any better under their new coach. Again they gave up too many chances and this is now a very serious situation for the Catalan club with only rock bottom Elche below them in the table. The likes of Sergi Darder and Joselu bring genuine quality to their ranks and they have scored in 89% of their league matches this term and 93% of their away games, but defensively they just can’t seem to stop leaking goals.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Real Betis
| INJURED | Fekir, Sabaly, Pezzella, Victor Ruiz |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Canales, Ruibal |
Possible XI: Silva – Miranda, Felipe, Edgar, Montoya – Guido, Carvalho – Ayoze, Rodri, Luiz Henrique – Iglesias (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Manuel Pellegrini
Espanyol
| INJURED | Olivan |
| DOUBTFUL | Pedrosa |
| BANNED | Oscar Gil, Calero, Vidal |
Possible XI: Pacheco – Cabrera, Sergi Gomez, Montes, Ruben Sanchez – Gragera, Darder, Exposito – Braithwaite, Joselu, Puado (4-3-3)
Coach: Luis Garcia
Score Prediction: Team – Real Betis 2-1 Espanyol
You really start to worry for Espanyol now as Luis Garcia doesn’t really arrive with the sort of reputation or experience that suggests they are going to turn a corner and it wasn’t a good start for him last weekend. Betis haven’t been in great form either but if they can keep their full quota on the pitch, they look much the more likely winners here.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
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