Seedorf Takes Charge of First Game

The final match in La Liga this weekend takes place on Monday night as Deportivo La Coruna host Real Betis at the Estadio Municipal de Riazor.

Deportivo La Coruna have appointed a new manager in Clarence Seedorf and hope the former Real Madrid midfielder will steer them clear of the relegation zone before the end of the season.

Real Betis start the weekend in 10th place and if they win this match and other results go their way, they could move up a few places and become a contender for the final Europa League qualifying place.

Deportivo La Coruna are in dreadful form and trends show they have won only one of their last twelve La Liga games. It’s little wonder they have turned to a new manager to try and rescue their season but it remains to be seen if Seedorf is the right choice.

Conceding goals has been a massive problem for Deportivo La Coruna this season and Seedorf’s first job will be to try and tighten them up at the back.  They have conceded 51 goals in La Liga, which is more than any other team.

Recently, Deportivo La Coruna have conceded 5 at Real Sociedad, 2 at home against Levante and 7 at Real Madrid.

Home form shows just one win in their last seven league games and just 1 point won from the last 9 available.  Trends show both teams have scored in five of their last six La Liga games.

Real Betis come into this match having enjoyed a good 2-1 win over Villarreal last weekend.  This result will give them the belief they can go on and finish inside the top half of the table this season, maybe above local rivals Sevilla.

The win over Villarreal came after two disappointing defeats and Real Betis lost at home to Barcelona and away to Celta Vigo.  While there is no shame in losing to Barcelona, going down 5-0 in-front of their own fans was a poor result.

Away form has been a mixed bag recently and Real Betis have won two and lost three of their last five away league games.

Much like their opponents, conceding goals has been a problem for Real Betis and only Deportivo La Coruna and Las Palmas have allowed more this season.  Real Betis have conceded 14 goals in their last five La Liga games but have also scored 12 goals themselves.

Team news and Deportivo La Coruna will be without the injured Sidnei but Seedorf should have every other player available for selection.  The Dutchman is expected to go with a back four, with two holding midfielders in an attempt to stem the flow of goals against his team.

Real Betis will be without Joel Campbell, Antonio Sanabria and Zouhair Feddal who are all injured.  Antonio Barragan is suspended and should be replaced at full-back by Francis.  Joaquin is available again following suspension and will return to the right side of the attack.

Despite Seedorf’s best efforts, it would be a surprise not to see goals in this game, with the away team looking best placed to come away with maximum points.