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Kick off: Saturday, 17.10.2015. @22:05
Venue: Estadio Benito Villamarin
Head to head record
Espanyol vs Real Betis 1-1 (Club friendly)
Real Betis vs Espanyol 2-0 (La Liga)
Espanyol vs Real Betis 0-0 (La Liga)
Espanyol vs Real Betis 1-0 (La Liga)
Real Betis vs Espanyol 1-0 (La Liga)
Real Betis vs Espanyol prediction
Having defeated the likes of Sporting Gijon and Rayo Vallecano in last two la Liga matches, Real Betis will be looking to extend their winning run in the national championship when they square off against Espanyol at their Estadio Benito Villamarin on Saturday.
Back-to-back wins
Real Betis have been producing scintillating displays on their return to Primera Division. Los Beticos obviously belong to the Spanish top flight, but they need to keep on collecting points in the national championship if they are to secure the elite division survival. Pepe Mel is still in charge of the team and the experienced tactician is doing a great job with Real Betis. Los Beticos head into Saturday’s game against Espanyol following back-to-back victories over the likes of Sporting Gijon and Rayo Vallecano and it has to be noted that Pepe Mel’s men defeated both los Vallecanos and los Rojiblancos away from home. Ruben Castro extended his goal-scoring run at Estadio de Vallecas and the Spanish veteran will be the man to watch in the home team in Saturday’s clash against Espanyol. You should have in mind that Real Betis are after their second home win of the season.
Jorge Molina has joined the likes of Rafael Van der Vaart and Juan Manuel Vargas on the sidelines. There are no suspended players in the home team. Joaquin is widely expected to return to the starting XI.
On the downtrend
Over the years Espanyol have established themselves as a mid-table side in Spanish Primera Division. The Catalan side have been having their ups and downs in the 2015/2021 la Liga campaign too and, as a result, they sit in 10th place in the standings ahead of day 8. Los Periquitos suffered a heavy 3-0 loss to Deportivo La Coruna in their last away fixture in the national championship, with the team losing to newcomers Sporting Gijon at Power8 Stadium in their last league match. Sergio Gonzalez’s men aim to bounce back from the back-to-back defeats and the visitors will surely fight tooth and nail in Saturday’s encounter against high-flying Real Betis. Felipe Caicedo scored for Ecuador in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia and the 27-year-old forward is widely expected to lead the attack for the Catalans against Real Betis. It has to be noted that Espanyol, who are not regarded as good travelers, have already conceded eight goals on the road this term.
Gerard Moreno and Joan Jordan are likely to miss the match with injury, but midfielder Diop should recover in time to face Real Betis. Sergio Gonzalez has no other selection worries ahead of the trip to Seville.
Real Betis vs Espanyol betting tip
Real Betis aim to extend their winning run in la Liga to three matches and seeing that los Beticos are a real force to be reckoned with at home, there is every chance the newcomers will find the net in Saturday’s game against Espanyol. On the other hand, los Periquitos will give their best to put an end to their two-game losing run in the national championship and there is every chance both teams will find the net at Estadio Benito Villamarin. In their last meeting (international friendly) the two sides played out a 1-1 draw.
Tip: Both teams to score
Odds: 1.95 (19/20) @Coral
