Betis vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-04-12 16:30.
[p]Sixth-placed Real Betis face fifth-placed Villarreal in a hugely significant contest in La Liga on Sunday, with Betis looking to extend a seven-game unbeaten league run (W6, D1) – their longest such sequence since going 13 without a defeat at the end of 2023. Their streak in all competitions without defeat now stands at nine matches after beating Jagiellonia Białystok 2-0 in UEFA Conference League action on Thursday night. [/p]
[p]That impressive run has seen neither Real Madrid (2-1) nor Barcelona (1-1) – who they faced in their last La Liga outing – able to stop them, so a visit from another top-six side who they beat in the reverse fixture this season should not worry Betis. A run of just one win from their last five H2Hs at the Estadio Benito Villamarín (D1, L3) offers a note of caution for the hosts though. [/p]
[p]That statistic will please Villarreal, who have tasted victory on their last four trips to Andalusia – their longest such streak in their La Liga history. Only Barça have picked up more points and wins on the road in the division this season than the Yellow Submarine ahead of this weekend, with the UEFA Champions League qualification hopefuls having suffered just one defeat in their last five league outings on their travels (W3, D1). [/p]
[p]Villarreal head coach Marcelino will be aware that victory here would see them remain close to Athletic Club in fourth place, although he has drawn 44% of his La Liga matches in the dugout against Betis – his highest such percentage of draws against a single opponent that has faced at least ten times. If the eastern Spanish outfit were to chase Athletic down and finish in the top four, it would be their best top-flight season since Marcelino’s last campaign in charge during his first spell at Villarreal back in 2015/16 when they finished fourth![/p]
[p]Players to watch: With just two losses in his 14 Real Betis appearances since his arrival, Antony will be hopeful that he can add to his eight goal contributions so far (G4, A4). No player in La Liga has won more points with his assists this term than Villarreal’s Álex Baena (11 points from seven assists) going into this weekend. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only Valencia and Real Valladolid have conceded more first-half La Liga goals this season than Villarreal ahead of matchday 31. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Luke Bridle[/i][/p]