Espanyol vs Real Betis Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Espanyol have produced a shock but much-improved and impressive calendar year of 2025 as the Catalans now take on a similarly impressive and in-form Real Betis side this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 4th May, 2025: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Espanyol vs Real Betis may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Espanyol Preview: Catalan improvement
Last summer, following their promotion to the top-flight, Espanyol lost manager Luis Garcia to the Qatari national team with former B team coach Manolo Gonzalez handed the job at the RCDE Stadium and the hosts have been much-improved in recent months.
They have pushed themselves away from the bottom three and the relegation places in La Liga but the Catalans do come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 loss to Villarreal at El Madrigal last weekend due to a 52nd minute strike via Yeremy Pino.
Real Betis Preview: Andalusian improvement
Ever since an impressive winter transfer window, Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis have been in very good form as they push for a top five finish and potential UEFA Champions League qualification in La Liga but also fighting well on the continent, too.
Betis come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat of Fiorentina at the Benito Villamarin in midweek in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final tie thanks to goals from Morocco international Abde Ez and Manchester United loanee Antony.
Espanyol Team News: Couple of doubts
Ahead of the visit of Betis, Espanyol have no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for this weekend but the hosts do have a couple of key injury doubts for this one such as Brian Olivan and Jose Gragera.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Urko Gonzalez, Kral; Alex Roca, Edu Exposito, Javi Puado; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Brian Olivan (Injured), Jose Gragera (Injured)
Real Betis Team News: Aitor Ruibal suspended
Real Betis will be without defender Aitor Ruibal for this weekend’s visit to Barcelona as he is missing through suspension. They also have some key injury absentees such as former Leeds United duo Diego Llorente and Marc Roca.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Sabaly, Marc Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Pablo Fornals; Antony, Isco, Jesus Rodriguez; Cucho
Unavailable: Diego Llorente (Injured), Aitor Ruibal (Suspended), Marc Roca (Injured), Chimy Avila (Injured)
Questionable:
Espanyol vs Real Betis Prediction
Espanyol have pulled off a level of overperformance that came out of nowhere in recent months but the hosts still have some uncertainty ahead of this summer as goalkeeper Joan Garcia is a reported target for Arsenal, whilst right-back Omar El Hilali is also expected to be sold. Real Betis come into this one on the back of suffering just two defeats in their last 17 matches across all competitions. They will be focused on their trip to Florence but remain slight favourites for this one against an Espanyol side now assured of their top-flight status for next season.
Espanyol vs Real Betis Tip: Double chance – Real Betis to win or draw
