The 2023-24 La Liga season kicks off this weekend and a cracker of a match will take place at the Estadio de la Ceramica. Villarreal will host Real Betis in a matchup of two teams eager to crack the top four.
Betis took four points from six against Villarreal last season. Los Verdiblancos secured a 1-0 win at home thanks to a Rodri goal.
The reverse fixture finished 1-1 at the Estadio de la Ceramica. Betis’s Borja Iglesias scored the opener, but Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino equalised just after halftime.
Villarreal and Real Betis finished fifth and sixth respectively last season. They were the best of the rest in La Liga and qualified for the Europa League.
The Yellow Submarine took 64 points last season and posted a record of 19W-7D-12L. Villarreal were the league’s fourth-best home team, taking a total of 39 points from a possible 57.
Real Betis took 60 points last season thanks to a record of 17W-9D-12L. Betis were the fifth-best away team in La Liga in 2022-23, with 28 points from a possible 57.
Los Verdiblancos struggled to score goals a season ago. They tallied just 46 goals but conceded 41 times. Villarreal, on the other hand, scored 59 goals last season.
It was the fourth-best in La Liga and only Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico did better.
Former Betis manager Quique Setien took charge of Villarreal last October after Unai Emery departed for Aston Villa.
The club has sold several key players, including defender Pau Torres, forward Nicolas Jackson, forward Boulaye Dia, and right winger Samuel Chukwueze.
Villarreal’s signings have been modest, with Ben Brereton arriving from Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer and midfielder Denis Suarez joining from Celta Vigo for free.
Striker Alex Sorloth was signed for €10 million from Leipzig. Midfielder Francis Coquelin will miss the game following a cruciate ligament injury.
Betis have also sold players and used the loan and free-agent markets to add to the squad.
Marc Roca joined from Leeds on loan, Hector Bellerin signed for free from Sporting CP, and Ayoze Perez joined from Leicester City on a free transfer.
The club also signed former Real Madrid midfielder Isco on a free transfer. Meanwhile, Sergio Canales, Diego Lainz, and Raul Garcia have all left for transfer fees.
Setien will use a 4-3-3 attacking formation against Betis. His starting XI will be much different to the one that ended last campaign after the club made numerous player sales.
The Yellow Submarine should pull off an opening-day win against Betis, 2-1, at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
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