Real Betis vs Alaves Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Manuel Pellegrini is having to transition his Real Betis side into a new era as the Andalusians welcome Deportivo Alaves to the Benito Villamarin this weekend.
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How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Betis vs Alaves may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Real Betis preview: Change at Betis
Financial issues have caused Real Betis to provoke a lot of changes across the summer, with key men such as Jesus Rodriguez and Johnny Cardoso sold, with Antony returning to parent club Manchester United, and Manuel Pellegrini has his work cut out.
On the opening day of the campaign, Betis shared a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Elche at the Manuel Martinez Valero last week. Betis opened the scoring via Aitor Ruibal before German Valera equalised for the Valencians in the 81st minute.
Alaves preview: Probable strugglers
Deportivo Alaves managed to eventually steer themselves clear of the bottom three and the relegation places under the management of former Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Coudet, who remains under pressure in the Basque Country with another struggle likely.
The visitors did manage to earn a dramatic opening day victory at the Mendizorroza last weekend. Toni Martinez gave Alaves a 36th minute lead before Jeremy Toljan equalised for newly-promoted Levante, but Nahuel Tengalia then scored a stoppage-time winner.
Real Betis team news: Isco out
As well as all of those departures, Isco is missing due to ankle injury sustained in pre-season against Como, with new signing Nelson Deossa also unavailable due to an ankle injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pau Lopez; Hector Bellerin, Marc Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Sergi Altimira, Pablo Fornals; Aitor Ruibal, Lo Celso, Rodrigo Riquelme; Cucho
Unavailable: Diego Llorente (Injured), Nelson Deossa (Injured), Marc Roca (Injured), Isco (Injured), Abde Ez (Injured)
Questionable:
Alaves team news: Fully fit
Alaves have lost some key players over the summer, such as Santiago Mourino and Kike Garcia, but they are blessed with a fully fit and available squad ahead of the trip to Seville.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Antonio Sivera; Jonny, Garces, Tenaglia, Victor Parada; Antonio Blanco; Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi, Pablo Ibanez, Carles Alena; Toni Martinez
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Real Betis vs Alaves prediction
Real Betis have work to do this summer in order to get things back on track where they can compete in Europe and challenge for a top four or five finish in La Liga. They showed last week they have a lot of strengths but their squad is too shallow at the time being. Alaves will make things difficult for them down at the Benito Villamarin and it may well actually be a good value bet to side with the Basque outfit in the heat of Seville against a smaller Betis squad.
Real Betis vs Alaves tip: Double chance – Alaves to win or draw
