Athletic Club vs Real Betis Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Athletic Club are perhaps in the last couple of months of the Ernesto Valverde era as the Basque giants welcome Real Betis to San Mames on Sunday afternoon.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Athletic Club preview: Top-half but struggling
Athletic Club begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just a couple of points outside of the top seven or eight and the potential European spots in La Liga with an underwhelming campaign thus far.
The Basque giants have collected just one point from their last three matches and head into this one on the back of a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Girona away at Montilivi in their most recent outing.
Real Betis preview: Big week for Betis
Real Betis managed to come from 1-0 down to win 4-1 on aggregate in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League in midweek against Panathinaikos at La Cartuja, courtesy of goals from Aitor Ruibal, Sofyan Amrabat, Cucho and Antony.
Pressure had, almost inexplicably, been growing on Manuel Pellegrini, despite the impressive job he has done with Los Verdiblancos, such as winning the Copa del Rey and reaching last season’s UEFA Europa Conference League final.
Athletic Club team news: Nico Williams out
UEFA EURO 2024 winning winger Nico Williams is a major doubt for Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad as he is sidelined once again due to a groin injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Laporte, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Jauregizar, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta; Robert Navarro, Oihan Sancet, Alex Berenguer; Inaki Williams
Unavailable: Yeray (Disciplinary), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured)
Questionable: Aitor Paredes (Injured), Unai Gomez (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured)
Real Betis team news: Diego Llorente a doubt
Diego Llorente is a doubt for this weekend, while longer term absentees in midfield, Giovani Lo Celso and the experienced Isco are confirmed as out once again.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Alex Valles; Hector Bellerin, Marc Bartra, Natan, Junior Firpo; Pablo Fornals, Marc Roca, Sergi Altimira; Antony, Cucho, Abde Ez
Unavailable: Lo Celso (Injured), Isco (Injured)
Questionable: Diego Llorente (Injured)
Athletic Club vs Real Betis prediction
As well as their impressive overall results under Manuel Pellegrini, Betis are now into the last eight of Europe and also tucked inside the top five of the UEFA Champions League spots ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures. They head north to an Athletic side that are usually dependant on home advantage but that can work against them when things aren’t going well and so siding with the visitors may well be good value this weekend.
Athletic Club vs Real Betis tip: Double chance – Real Betis to win or draw
