Real Betis will look to continue their impressive start to the La Liga season when they welcome Getafe to the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Thursday evening.
The hosts have emerged as one of the early pace-setters in Spain’s top flight, while Getafe are still searching for consistency after a mixed opening to the campaign.
Soccer Prediction: Home win
Best odds: 7/10
Real Betis
Few teams in La Liga have started the season as strongly as Real Betis. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have collected 12 points from their opening five league matches, winning four and drawing one to establish themselves in the top three.
Their recent form has been particularly impressive. Betis followed a statement victory over Real Madrid with a 3-2 success against Lille in their Champions League opener before edging past Villarreal 2-1 in league action last time out.
The only blemish on an otherwise excellent start came in a surprising 5-2 defeat to Levante at the end of August, but the response since then has suggested it was little more than a temporary setback.
Having finished fifth last season to secure Champions League football, Betis appear determined to establish themselves among Spain’s elite once again. Pellegrini’s side have looked balanced in both boxes and possess a growing number of players capable of deciding matches.
Recent history also favours the hosts. Betis have won three of their last four meetings with Getafe, although they will be aware that the visitors ran out 2-0 winners the last time the sides met in March.
Team News
Aitor Ruibal continues to miss out with a knee injury, while Diego Llorente remains a doubt due to a broken nose. Antony could return to the starting lineup after beginning the previous match on the bench.
Isco and Marc Roca were among the standout performers against Villarreal and are expected to retain their places, while Pablo Fornals should continue in a deeper midfield role.
Getafe
Getafe arrive in Seville as underdogs, but Jose Bordalas’s side have historically built their reputation on thriving in exactly these kinds of situations.
Last season’s seventh-place finish secured European qualification, and the club successfully came through a playoff tie against Partizan to book a place in the Conference League league phase.
Their domestic campaign has been far less convincing. Getafe have won only one of their first five league matches, drawing two and losing two to collect five points from a possible 15.
Back-to-back draws against Celta Vigo and Deportivo La Coruna have at least halted a losing sequence, but concerns remain regarding the team’s attacking production.
The visitors have found the net only three times in five La Liga outings, making them one of the division’s least prolific teams in the early stages of the campaign.
Team News
Bordalas’s injury list is far from ideal. Abdel Abqar, Andres Garcia, Kiko Femenia, Juanmi and Christantus Uche are all unavailable. However, Zaid Romero returns from suspension and is expected to go straight back into the starting XI.
The main attacking threat remains Enes Unal, who has scored three goals in seven appearances across all competitions this season and will once again spearhead the attack.
Key Factors to Consider
- Real Betis have won four and drawn one of their five La Liga matches.
- Pellegrini’s side have already beaten both Real Madrid and Villarreal this season.
- Getafe have scored only three goals in five league fixtures.
- Betis have won three of the last four meetings between the clubs.
- The visitors are dealing with several injury absences.
- Isco and Marc Roca arrive in excellent form for the hosts.
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Conclusion
Getafe possess enough defensive discipline to make life difficult for any opponent, and Bordalas’s teams rarely allow matches to become straightforward.
However, Real Betis are playing with confidence, have significantly more attacking quality and boast one of the strongest home environments in Spanish football. With Isco pulling the strings and several in-form attackers available, the hosts should create enough opportunities to secure another important victory.
Getafe are likely to remain competitive for long periods, but Betis appear better equipped to find the decisive moments and should take all three points.
Soccer Prediction: Home win
