Oviedo vs Real Betis Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Real Oviedo are seeking a major improvement as the struggling Asturians take on an entertaining but inconsistent Real Betis side at the Carlos Tartiere this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
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Oviedo preview: Struggling Oviedo
Real Oviedo have made another managerial change with Veljko Paunovic sacked in October but now his replacement, Luis Carrion, having been replaced, too, this time by Guillermo Almada, who oversaw Real Valladolid’s relegation last season.
His first game in charge saw Oviedo head to the Basque Country, sharing a 1-1 draw with Deportivo Alaves at the Mendizorroza in Vitoria-Gasteiz in a game in which Lucas Boye cancelled out Fede Vinas’ opener.
Real Betis preview: Inconsistent Betis
Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis returned from La Liga’s mini winter break with a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last week due to goals from Raul Asencio and Fran Garcia, as well as a Gonzalo Garcia hat-trick.
Los Verdiblancos have been quite good to watch throughout the campaign, despite playing away from the Benito Villamarin and at La Cartuja, as they sit tucked inside the top six but they have won just one of their last four matches in the league.
Oviedo team news: Fede Vinas suspended
The aforementioned Uruguay international Fede Vinas was sent off against Alaves and is now missing through suspension, while Oviedo deal with key defensive injury issues, such as Eric Bailly and David Costas.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Aaron; Lucas Ahijado, Carmo, Dani Calvo, Alhassane; Sibo, Colombatto; Ilyas Chaira, Alberto Reina, Brekalo; Hassan
Unavailable: Bailly (Injured), Alvaro Lemos (Injured), Fede Vinas (Suspended)
Questionable: David Costas (Injured), Nacho Vidal (Injured), Ejaria (Injured)
Real Betis team news: Moroccan absentees
Betis remain without defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and winger Abde Ez are both are away with Morocco on international duty at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alex Valles; Angel Ortiz, Marc Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Nelson Deossa, Marc Roca; Antony, Pablo Fornals, Aitor Ruibal; Cucho
Unavailable: Amrabat (International duty), Isco (Injured), Abde Ez (International duty)
Questionable:
Oviedo vs Real Betis prediction
Real Oviedo have scored just eight goals so far this season and they are on course to smash the record for the fewest goals in a season. Valladolid did improve under Almada last year and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a slight improvement from the hosts. They now face a Betis side that are a bit Jekyll and Hyde but the Andalusians are often simply much better than the weakest opposition in La Liga, and they have to be viewed as firm favourites.
Oviedo vs Real Betis tip: Real Betis to win
