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Kickoff: Thursday, 03 March @19:30 GMT
Venue: RCDE Stadium (Barcelona)
Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)
Head to head record
Real Betis vs Espanyol 1-3 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Espanyol vs Real Betis 1-1 (Club Friendlies 2015)
Real Betis vs Espanyol 2-0 (2014/2015 La Liga)
Espanyol vs Real Betis 0-0 (2014/2015 La Liga)
Espanyol vs Real Betis 1-0 (2013/2014 La Liga)
Espanyol vs Real Betis prediction
Espanyol will be looking for the continuation of their positive run against los Beticos this Thursday. Betis are coming for their first victory at RCDE Stadium since January 2008. This clash will be the battle for the 14th place in the league.
Espanyol are escaping from the red zone
Espanyol managed to record back-to-back triumphs against Deportivo on home soil (1-0) and their fellow strugglers Sporting Gijon (4-2) on their travels. With this triumph los Periquitos created a four-point cushion between them and Gijon and eased their relegation fears at least for a while. The Catalans have been of the highest standard against los Rojiblancos. Burgui netted his first goal this term, while Gerard Moreno scored a brace and secured a spectacle for the fans. Now they head back home to host Betis, who failed to record a triumph in their previous five visits to RCDE Stadium. Constantin Galca is well aware that a victory would push his team further into the safe zone, while the defeat could cost Espanyol their current position in the overall standings. I firmly believe the Romanian manager will not leave things to chance and will look to take full control of the match from the very beginning.
The Catalans will be without the likes of Canas (toe injury), Arbilla (achilles tendonitis), Giedrius Arlauskis (thigh muscle strain) and Sylla (thigh muscle strain), who are all in the recovery room.
Betis struggle on their travels
Ruben Castro’s first-half brace was no enough for los Beticos to record a much needed triumph against Rayo Vallecano, since Manucho Gonçalves’ quick-fired double in the opening minutes of the second period secured a share of spoils at Benito Villamarín. This was Juan Merino’s third consecutive draw in the league and now they are levelled in points with their forthcoming opponents. Even though Betis are on a for-game undefeated run, the Seville-based team have been struggling on their travels lately. Their last triumph on the road occurred in November, since then los Beticos lost five and shared the spoils in three, mostly thanks to their toothless attack. Their key forward, Ruben Castro is rather futile when playing away from home, and there is not a single other player in the entire team who scored more than once this season, hence only three nettings in Betis’ last five away matches. If Juan Merino’s forwards do not start producing soon, chances are los Verdiblancos will continue their negative away run.
Juan Merino cannot count on Foued Kadir (knee), Heiko Westermann (foot), Martin Montoya (thigh) and Cristiano Piccini (knee), who are still sidelined due to their injuries.
Quick Facts
- Espanyol are on a five-game unbeaten run on home turf against Betis
- Los Periquitos lost only two of their last eleven home matches
- Seville-based team are undefeated in four successive La Liga encounters
- Juan Merino’s side boast a 0-3-5 away record since mid-December
- Los Beticos failed to net a goal in four of their last six fixtures on the road
Espanyol vs Real Betis betting tip
Los Beticos are on a miserable run when playing away from home, and I do not reckon they will start winning any time soon. Los Blanquiazules, on the other hand are on the rise, which is why I firmly believe they will continue the positive run and record a triumph in front of their supporters.
Tip: Home win
Odds: 2.35 (23/17) @Unibet
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Daily Specials
| Event | Promotion | Claim | Expiring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rayo v Barca | Suarez to score is 8/1 | Claim | @20:00 |
| Brum v Hull | Hull to win both halves is 33/2 | Claim | @19:45 |
| Espanyol v Betis | Scoring draw is 14/1 | Claim | @19:30 |
| Europe | Hull, Marseille & Barca is 2/1 | Claim | @19:45 |
| Granada v Gijon | Gijon to win & BTTS is 8/1 | Claim | @19:00 |
| Espanyol v Betis | Over 2.5 goals is 6/4 | Claim | @19:30 |
| Rayo v Barca | Over 3.5 goals is 1/1 | Claim | @20:00 |
| Brum v Hull | Hull to win & BTTS is 5/1 | Claim | @19:45 |
