Almeria vs Betis prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-12-02 15:15.
While AlmerĂa were able to defy the odds and avoid the drop last season in their first campaign back in La Liga (LL), they look set to be victims of âsecond season syndromeâ this time around and currently sit rock-bottom of the table. With just three points on the board, and seven from safety coming into the round, theyâre also just one of seven LL sides since 1927/28 who failed to win any of their opening 14 matches (D3, L11).
With defeats in every LL game heâs taken charge of so far (L5), itâs fair to say manager Gaizka Garitano, appointed in early October, hasnât had the impact at AlmerĂa that he would have liked. He hasnât been able to plug a leaky defence that has conceded 37 league goals already this campaign – the highest of any team across Europeâs traditional big-fiveâ leagues ahead of this weekend.
Visitors Real Betis have only scored two more league goals (18) than their hosts this season, yet just 16 goals conceded at the other end – which can be bettered by only four LL sides coming into the gameweek – has laid the foundations for them to build some real momentum across recent months. Thatâs highlighted by the fact Manuel Pellegriniâs men are the only side in the division not to have tasted defeat across the past nine rounds (W4, D5).
They did fall to their first loss in 14 matches across all competitions on Thursday night though, with Sparta Prague downing Los Verdiblancos 1-0 away from home in UEFA Europa League action. That result contributes to a wider travelling problem for Betis, who have won just two of their last ten competitive away games (D4, L4) – with one of those victories coming against eighth-tier side HernĂĄn CortĂ©s.
Players to watch: Sergio Arribasâ goal in AlmerĂaâs last home outing means that all five of his LL efforts this season have come on home turf. Having started on the bench in midweek, Betis fans will be itching to see Willian JosĂ© back in the team here given the in-form forward has three goals in his past four LL matches – each opening the scoring for his side.
Hot stat: Ahead of the round, only Real Sociedad can better Betisâ goal difference in the opening 15 minutes of LL matches this season (GF4, GA0).