Real Betis will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga when they travel to Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on Sunday afternoon to take on Real Valladolid.
The Green and Whites, who are currently fourth in Spain's top flight, suffered a 1-0 loss to Celta Vigo in the league last weekend, but Real Valladolid recorded a 3-2 victory over Getafe last time out.
Match preview
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Real Valladolid picked up just their second La Liga victory of the 2022-23 campaign last weekend, running out 3-2 winners over Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
The home side actually turned the game around to lead in the 31st minute, but Sergio Leon's second of the afternoon levelled the scores before Oscar Plano won it for Pacheta's side early in the second half.
The result has left Real Valladolid in 15th position in Spain's top flight, boasting seven points from their seven matches courtesy of a record of two wins, one draw and four defeats.
The White and Violets secured a return to this level by finishing second in the Segunda Division last term, so any position above 18th would have to be considered a successful campaign.
Real Valladolid, who were 19th in their last La Liga season, have actually won two of their last four La Liga matches against Real Betis, suffering just one defeat in the process, while they have not lost at home to their opponents this weekend since February 2019.
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Real Betis, meanwhile, have made a strong start to the season, winning five and losing two of their seven league matches to collect 15 points, which has left them in fourth spot in the table.
Manuel Pellegrini's side are only four points behind league leaders Barcelona, but they did suffer a 1-0 defeat to Celta Vigo last weekend, with Gabri Veiga's first-half effort proving to be the difference between the two teams.
Real Betis have won five of their last six matches in all competitions, though, including an impressive 2-1 victory away to Roma in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The Green and Whites fell behind in Rome to a first-half penalty from Paulo Dybala, but Guido Rodriguez levelled the scores in the 40th minute before Luiz Henrique struck the winner late on, and the result has left them top of Group C, boasting a 100% record from their three matches.
Real Betis will now be bidding to get back on track in Spain's top flight, and they will be eyeing a top-four finish this term after claiming sixth and fifth in their last two campaigns at this level.
Team News
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Real Valladolid will be without the services of five first-team players for Sunday's contest, with Luis Perez, Sergio Asenjo and Anuar Tuhami still unavailable for selection.
Jawad El Yamiq and Joaquin Fernandez both picked up issues in the win over Getafe last time out, meanwhile, which will also rule them out of the contest.
Zouhair Feddal is likely to come into the team in central defence, but it could otherwise be the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Getafe, with two-goal Leon leading the line.
As for Real Betis, Victor Camarasa and Juanmi will miss the match through injury, while Youssouf Sabaly is a major doubt for the visitors here.
Pellegrini's side will also be unable to call upon Luiz Felipe, as the central defender was sent off in the early stages of the match with Celta Vigo last weekend.
In addition, Nabil Fekir will miss out with the injury that he suffered against Roma, and there will be plenty of changes to the side that started in Italy, with Luiz Henrique, Rodri, Alex Moreno, Borja Iglesias and William Carvalho among those expected to return to the side here.
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Fresneda, Sanchez, Feddal, Escudero; Aguado, Mesa, Perez; Plata, Leon, Plano
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Silva; Montoya, Gonzalez, Pezzella, Moreno; Akouokou, Carvalho; Henrique, Canales, Rodri; Iglesias
We say: Real Valladolid 1-2 Real Betis
Real Valladolid will be the fresher of the two teams on Sunday, and the home side are capable of picking up a positive result in this contest.
Real Betis will be fired up to return to winning ways in the league, though, and we are backing Pellegrini's side to secure all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
