Atl. Madrid vs Betis prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-03-02 15:15.
AtlĂ©tico Madrid extended their recent wretched form with an exit from the Copa del Rey on Thursday, losing 4-0 over two legs to Athletic Bilbao. Itâs now just one win across seven competitive matches for the Madrid outfit (D2, L4) and with last weekendâs 2-2 draw away to AlmerĂa in La Liga marking their third failure to win across their last four league matches (D2, L1), their grip on a top-four place is beginning to loosen. Couple that with a one-goal deficit to take into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie with Inter Milan, and theyâre fighting desperately to remain in Europe for both this season and next.
As long as the wins keep coming at home, AtlĂ©ti should be able to hold onto their coveted Champions League qualification place. Diego Simeoneâs side still boast a near perfect La Liga record at the Metropolitano this term (W12, D1), but are still yet to host four of the five clubs joining them in the top-six of the standings as far as La Liga is concerned, suggesting the difficulty level is about to go up.
Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini may fancy his chances of attaining his first ever managerial victory against Simeone from 12 attempts (D4, L7) after they moved into the top-six with an important 3-1 win at home to Athletic Bilbao. It was a result Pellegrini hailed as âvery important for the locker roomâ not just for their top-six prospects, but also for team morale after they recently departed the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Theyâre in excellent shape on the road as well, with wins âto nilâ at both CĂĄdiz (2-0) and Mallorca (1-0) forming part of their five-game unbeaten run in this competition. Given that followed nine straight La Liga away games without a win (D6, L3), Pellegrini will be hoping they therefore donât fall back into their wicked ways, particularly when this is another opportunity to earn their first La Liga away victory against a side starting this round in the top-half (D2, L2).
Players to watch: Call Memphis Depay the âicing on the cakeâ, because seven of his eight competitive goals for AtlĂ©tico this season were in the second half of a victory! Betis will be looking to the returning Ayoze PĂ©rez, who is back from a six-week layoff and scored in four competitive away games earlier this season, to beat him to the punch.
Hot stat: AtlĂ©ticoâs 11 match opening goals at home this La Liga season was the most in the division heading into this round.