Real Betis with Europa League in Their Sights
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There is a full compliment of La Liga fixtures to enjoy in Spain this week and the action on Thursday night begins with a game between Real Betis and Real Sociedad.
The hosts start this week in 7th place in La Liga with 36 points from their twenty-five matches played. A win could send them above local rivals Sevilla in the table and into the final Europa League qualifying spot. However, a defeat could see them drop down to 10th.
Real Sociedad find themselves in 14th place with 29 points having played the same number of games as Real Betis. They are 10 points clear of the relegation zone but cannot afford to relax with thirteen matches remaining this season.
Real Betis come into this match having defeated Levante 2-0 away from home on the weekend. This follows thrilling 5-3 home defeat at the hands of Real Madrid the week before and Real Betis will be pleased to have kept a clean sheet.
Quique Setien’s team have won three of their last four games, with wins over Villarreal at home and Deportivo La Coruna away, adding to the victory at Levante on Monday night. However, they have been inconsistent at home, winning only two of their last nine games in all competitions.
Trends show Real Betis have seen over 2.5 goals in their last four home La Liga matches and have conceded at least 2 goals in six of their last nine games.
Real Sociedad make the trip to the Estadio Benito Villamarin having won just one of their last five games in all competitions. They were defeated 2-1 at Valencia on the weekend and this followed a 2-1 loss at Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday night, which saw the club eliminated from the Europa League.
Trends show Real Sociedad have won only two of their last ten competitive matches and three of their last seventeen. They have been in poor form and if things do not pick up soon, Real Sociedad may end up in a fight towards the bottom of the table come the end of the campaign.
Real Sociedad have lost six and drawn two of their last eight away La Liga games and trends show they are conceding an average of 2 goals per match away from home in the Spanish top flight this season. Only Real Betis and Las Palmas have conceded more goals in the league.
Team news and Real Betis are still without Antonia Sanabria, Zouhair Feddal and Dani Gimenez due to injury. They also have doubts over Jordi Amat and Andres Guardado.
Real Sociedad will be without injured goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, so Tono is expected to continue in goal for the visitors. Carlos Marinez, Willian Jose and Xabri Preto are also on the treatment table but Hector Moreno is expected to return to the defence.
Given the defensive record of both teams, this match has the makings of a high scoring game. Real Betis are the stronger team and should come out on top with over 2.5 goals scored.
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