La Liga: Real Betis Have a Score to Settle With Villarreal

Real Betis vs Villarreal

Two teams who are vying for Champions League berths are set to go toe-to-toe once more as Real Betis host Villarreal over at Benito Villamarin.

If the season ended today, Real Betis are to achieve such objective since they hold the solo third spot in the La Liga standings with 40 points. On the other hand, their visitors in Villarreal are on the outside looking in, sitting at seventh with only 32 points.

Real Betis and Villarreal were bothered by inconsistencies before but both sides appear to be past that now since the hosts have a two-game winning streak while the visitors are unbeaten in four of their last five.

Just like before, the SBOTOP pre-match betting odds see this as another competitive affair despite their disparity at the table.

Talking Points

Real Betis continue to defy expectations

Manuel Pellegrini has done a commendable job for Real Betis. Since taking over as head coach in the summer of 2020, the Chilean tactician has taken Los Verdiblancos to new heights.

After guiding the squad to a sixth-placed La Liga finish to earn a spot in the Europa League last term, this time, they’re on the brink of securing a Champions League spot which is way beyond their expectations.

What’s more, Real Betis are alive in both the Copa del Rey and the Europa League. They are looking forward to the cup semis and they’ll play Zenit St. Peterburg later this month.

Los Verdiblancos’ campaign isn’t all that smooth, though, as they’ve hit a rough patch earlier this year.

After losing to Celta Vigo and being held to a draw against Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis bounced back with four consecutive wins against Sevilla, Alaves, Espanyol, Real Sociedad with an aggregate tally of 14-2.

Top scorer Juanmi remains in fine form and he now has 14 goals and one assist, while Borja Iglesias has 10 goals and assist. Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales are also doing well as they’ve accounted for nine goals and 13 assists.

Real Betis have a realistic chance of bringing home some silverware for the first time in a long while. And although it’s not going to happen in La Liga, being in the running is already quite an achievement in itself.

Now is the time for Villarreal to make a run

Villarreal, meanwhile, have been playing below their standards at least in La Liga. Following their Europa League triumph last term, their fans were probably expecting a level up from them this season.

But points have been hard to come by for Unai Emery’s men earlier this season since they’ve dealt with injuries and COVID-19. So now that they have a healthier group, this is their chance to make a run for an European berth.

Unai Emery has enough that can give any opponents problems on the pitch. Gerard Moreno and Arnaut Danjuma are their leading scorers with nine apiece, while Manu Trigueros has six goals and two assists.

The race for fourth to sixth is getting tighter each week, so getting positive La Liga 2022 results is going to come in handy for them.

History

Villarreal have been the superior side over Real Betis in these past few seasons. Since the start of the 2016/17 season, the Yellow Submarine have won seven of their last 11 league encounters (L3, D1) while conceding only one goal in each of these meetings.

However, Villarreal have lost four of their last six away games in La Liga (W1, D1), and they’ve conceded at least one goal in each of those six fixtures.

Real Betis have lost just one of their last four home league games against Villarreal recently (W3, D1). They’ve also won six of their last nine La Liga games, scoring at least three goals in five of those six games.

Unai Emery’s side will achieve a double over their hosts should they win this Sunday. In their reverse fixture last October, Villarreal defeated Real Betis 2-0 at home as Arnaut Danjuma scored a brace.

Betting Tip

	Real Betis vs Villarreal	Real Betis Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.38
	February 7, 1:30 (GMT+8)

Real Betis have been given the slight edge in the La Liga 2022 odds. Los Verdiblancos are priced at 2.38 to win, while Villarreal are pegged at 2.85 and chances for a draw are at 3.85 in the 1X2 market.

Villarreal have been a huge thorn on Real Betis’ side and we expect the Yellow Submarine to give Los Verdiblancos a huge run for their money this Sunday.

However, given the strong form that the hosts have shown in recent weeks, we’re more confident that Real Betis will come out victorious and pick up all three points this time around.

 

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