Real Betis head into Sunday's La Liga fixture with Granada requiring a victory to potentially keep them in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
While Betis are looking to secure a place at European football's top table for next season, Granada need one win from their closing double-header to retain their top-flight status.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having already won the Copa del Rey, Real Betis can claim to have enjoyed a successful season regardless of what happens in their final two fixtures.
However, there will naturally be disappointment if the club miss out on the Champions League, Betis now five points adrift of Sevilla with two matches remaining.
With a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to come next weekend, Manuel Pellegrini will be realistic about his team's chances, but they at least kept their hopes alive with a 3-0 triumph away at Valencia.
Betis' away form has not been the issue, however. At the same time that they have put together a five-match unbeaten streak on their travels, three defeats in five have been posted at Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Borja Iglesias took his tally to 19 goals for the campaign with a strike at the Mestalla, with teammate Willian Jose moving into double figures with an effort of his own.
Regardless of all of his experience, Granada took a risk in appointing Aitor Karanka when the former Real Madrid defender had only managed in English football.
However, the decision now looks inspired, Karanka delivering eight points from his opening four matches to move Granada four points clear of the relegation zone.
With a superior goal difference also in their favour, a point from their remaining two fixtures will force Mallorca to win their final two games in order to prevent Granada from staying in La Liga.
Karanka's side will instead want to seal their own survival, backing up impressive wins over Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao which added to draws already picked up against Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo.
- W
- D
- L
- D
- L
- W
- D
- L
- D
- D
- L
- W
- L
- L
- D
- D
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Granada will have to make do without left-back Sergio Escudero after he collected a fifth yellow card of the season versus Athletic.
That could lead to Quini switching flanks to deputise, with Santiago Arias taking his spot at right-back.
German Sanchez may also feature ahead of Victor Diaz, who was withdrawn on the hour mark in the last game.
Despite victory at Valencia, Pellegrini will consider making several changes with three of his substitutes having had a hand in goals after their introduction.
Juan Miranda, Juanmi, and Iglesias are the players in question, with Juanmi most likely to return in place of Rodri on the right flank.
Edgar Gonzalez should come into the backline with Marc Bartra serving a ban for five yellow cards.
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Silva; Sabaly, Pezzella, Gonzalez, Moreno; Carvalho, Rodriguez; Juanmi, Canales, Fekir; Jose
Granada possible starting lineup:
Maximiano; Arias, Diaz, Duarte, Quini; Collado, Gonalons, Milla; Puertas, Molina, Uzuni
We say: Real Betis 2-2 Granada
At one stage this season, a home victory would have been considered to be a formality, but that is certainly no longer the case. With more pressure arguably on Betis' shoulders now, we expect Granada to claim a score draw in what could turn out to be an entertaining tussle.
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Real Betis win with a probability of 57.96%. A draw had a probability of 21.4% and a win for Granada had a probability of 20.62%.
The most likely scoreline for a Real Betis win was 2-1 with a probability of 9.9%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (8.91%) and 1-0 (8.91%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (9.9%), while for a Granada win it was 1-2 (5.5%). The actual scoreline of 2-0 was predicted with an 8.9% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Real Betis would win this match.
