Espanyol vs Betis prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-01-20 15:15.
Despite victory in their last La Liga (LL) clash with relegation rivals Getafe, a point still separates Espanyol from the drop zone. With the season’s halfway point fast approaching, Diego MartĂnez will be looking to inspire an improvement in his side’s form, with only basement dwellers Elche collecting fewer wins than Espanyol’s three – their lowest at this stage since 2019/20 when they finished 20th.
The Parakeets can now devote their full focus to surviving a similar fate after exiting the Copa del Rey at the hands of Athletic Bilbao in midweek. While that defeat came on the road, it’s at home that Espanyol have really been struggling, as only one of their LL wins this term have arrived at the RCDE Stadium (W1, D3, L4).
Real Betis may well be bruised after suffering two penalty shootout defeats in the space of a week, exiting two cup competitions in cruel circumstances against Barcelona and Osasuna respectively. Despite those disappointments, Manuel Pellegrini’s men have made a positive restart to the LL season by avoiding defeat in both of their opening games (W1, D1) and sit on the cusp of the UEFA Champions League places.
The Chilean boasts an impressive record against Espanyol too (W11, D6, L2), and another positive result could launch Los Verdiblancos into the top four if other results go their way. That would require a second consecutive league win on the road for the first time since February and if that’s to happen their defence will likely be key, as only Barcelona have conceded fewer league goals than Betis’ 13 this term.
Players to watch: Espanyol’s top scorer Joselu has reached double figures for goals for a fourth LL season (G10); he’s netted seven of his last eight goals after half-time. Trying to steal the limelight will be Betis talisman Nabil Fekir who has directly contributed to three goals across four unbeaten personal H2H meetings with Espanyol (G1, A2).
Hot stat: Espanyol haven’t led at half-time in any LL game this season (HT: D10, L7).