Villarreal vs Betis prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-08-12 17:30.
This is set to be an intriguing opening contest between two of La Liga’s (LL) top six sides of last season. Villarreal finished fifth, just one place and four points ahead of upcoming opponents Real Betis, but it may difficult to anticipate whether they can repeat that feat this season after a busy summer which saw them lose key players including Pau Torres, Samuel Chukwueze, Boulaye Dia and Nicolas Jackson – the latter of whom finished as their top LL scorer last season (G12).
Arrivals such as Denis Suárez and Ben Brereton DĂaz have helped to soften the blow, yet no win in any of their final five matches of pre-season (D2, L3) does suggest the new group of players may initially take time to gel. It’s the job of head coach Quique SetiĂ©n to streamline that process, as well as wrestling with an opening round curse that has seen Villarreal win just one of their last eight week one matches (D5, L2).
Like their hosts, Real Betis haven’t exactly set the world alight during preseason (W1, D1, L4), and they’ve had to utilise the loan/free market to strengthen their squad, prompting reports suggesting there wasn’t a lot of cash available to spend. The arrival of players like Isco, Marc Roca and Hector Bellerin will bring some welcome experience to Manuel Pellegrini’s squad as the 69-year-old, entering his fourth season as Betis coach, bids to keep up his proud record of never having finished below sixth with the club.
Getting their campaign off to a flying start doesn’t appear an easy feat given how Betis have often struggled when visiting Villarreal in recent times. Just one of their last 11 LL away H2Hs ended in victory (D3, L7), while only twice have they managed to net more than a single goal in that slate of fixtures.
Players to watch: Excitement among Villarreal fans will be high to see Brereton DĂaz in action, particularly as he scored 36 combined league goals across his last two seasons with Blackburn prior to grabbing a goal in his final pre-season appearance for his new club. Meanwhile, new Betis recruit Isco grabbed an assist away to Villarreal last season while playing for Sevilla and boasts a streak of eight personal H2Hs unbeaten (W3, D5).
Hot stat: Villarreal ended last season having scored before the 30th minute in each of their final four home games, something also achieved in their first home game of that campaign (4-0 vs Elche).