Betis vs Espanyol prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-09-28 16:30.
[p]A 1-1 draw to a winless Las Palmas in midweek will be somewhat of a disappointment for Real Betis, who missed a golden opportunity to move up into the top half. An almost perfectly split record to open up the campaign (W2, D3, L2) has given them a solid foundation on which to build, but with their Conference League campaign commencing in the wake of this clash, it remains to be seen which competition Manuel Pellegrini will prioritise. [/p]
[p]Amidst a hectic schedule, Pellegrini could make some changes to his team here, and changes are also needed for Betis at home, after just two wins in their last five La Liga matches at the Estadio Benito VillamarĂn (D1, L2). Hope springs eternal that they can tip the balance in this matchup with Espanyol, considering Betis have won more H2Hs against the side from Spain’s second city (45) than against any other current La Liga club.[/p]
[p]Espanyol come into this clash two points behind Betis in the table, but their start to the season has been respectable for a newly-promoted side (W2, D1, L4). They actually come into this round above both other newly-promoted sides in the table, but remaining there come the end of the weekend will seemingly require a huge performance from a side who are yet to win on the road this season (D1, L2). [/p]
[p]They’ll be quick to point out that two of those games came against Atlético and Real Madrid, but this clash promises to be equally as tricky, not least due to the previously mentioned H2H record. Breaking that record down, Espanyol have won just three away H2Hs (D9, L7) since the turn of the century, and having kept just two clean sheets during that torrid run raises the possibility of action at both ends here, especially as Espanyol have incredibly scored in 15 of their last 17 La Liga away games! [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Giovani Lo Celso has scored each of Betis’ last four goals in La Liga. Those came across three games and were more than he managed in his last 77 appearances for Tottenham before his summer switch! Alejo Véliz also swapped Tottenham for La Liga in the summer, and while his only goal for Espanyol so far secured their first league win of the season, he’s earned more second-half yellow cards this season (two).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Six of Betis’ seven La Liga games this term were level at half-time.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]