Real Betis vs Sevilla: Betting Odds & Prediction
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
Europe-chasing Real Betis host fierce adversaries Sevilla in one of the sport's most ferocious rivalries on Sunday evening.
Both sides played out a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Kick-off is set for 8pm UK time at the Benito Villamarín Stadium.
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Real Betis
The hosts are targeting a fourth consecutive top-half finish in La Liga. Currently finding themselves in seventh, Betis are just three points off Real Sociedad in the Europa Conference League qualification spot. A win is vital, though, if they are to hold off Valencia, who are only one point behind.
Four consecutive defeats in March threatened to derail their push for European football, but Betis have since rebounded with 2-1 victories over Celta Vigo and the aforementioned Valencia in their last two outings.
Only one of those defeats took place on home soil, with Betis losing just two matches overall at the Benito Villamarín Stadium so far in La Liga. An average of 1.88 points leaves them with the sixth-best home record in the division, and only Real Madrid have conceded less than Betis' ten goals shipped on home soil. Leaving them with just 0.88 conceded on average, seven of their 16 home fixtures have ended in a clean sheet.
Their performance at the back has provided the backbone for their success and also has put less pressure on their forwardline to deliver goals. Nevertheless, they've still averaged a solid return of 1.44 per home game, and have failed to score in just two matches on home turf.
🇨🇩⚔️🔜#ElGranDerbi is coming soon...#ForeverGreen pic.twitter.com/IJbzL2qOEn
— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) April 25, 2024
Sevilla
Quique Sánchez Flores' men have endured a difficult campaign so far. Sitting in 12th, Sevilla have found some form of late, winning four of their last six, including three wins on the bounce heading into 'El Gran Derbi'.
Their form on the road has been a concern though, having averaged just 1.06 points in away fixtures so far. Only four of their 16 matches on their travels have ended in victory, though two of these have came in their most recent away outings.
Goals have been particularly hard to come by; Sevilla have failed to score in six of away matches so far, averaging just 1.13 goals per away game. Considering the defensive record of the hosts, Flores' men will look for more inspiration from their forward players if they are to leave with a result this weekend.
They have also managed five clean sheets on the road, conceding 1.31 goals on average, but their main problem has been finding the back of the net.
Prediction
Betis look to have steadied the chip after a difficult run of form last month. Their superb defensive record, particularly at home, coupled with Sevilla's apparent inability to score in away games, makes a home win the sensible pick in this one.