Real Betis vs Malaga Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Real Betis have been impressive both domestically and in Europe this season as they welcome fellow Andalusians Malaga to La Cartuja in Seville.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – 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 / USA – ESPN+
Real Betis preview: Tucked in the top four
Ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures, Real Betis sit tucked inside the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots in La Liga with just two victories in 13 matches across all competitions, under the management of Manuel Pellegrini.
After making it three wins from three in the UEFA Champions League against Feyenoord, Betis then shared a goalless draw with an improving Celta Vigo side at Balaidos in Galicia in their most recent outing last weekend.
Malaga preview: Struggling Malaga
Following promotion to La Liga via the play-offs last season, Malaga have endured a tough time of it as they stick to progressive principles on the pitch with a squad chock full of local players and boyhood supporters under former B team coach Juan Francisco Funes.
There is some concern that while their approach has been admirable, the lack of quality in their squad is going to leave them potentially really badly, possibly historically, exposed in La Liga as they remain winless after ten matches thus far.
Real Betis team news: Antony a doubt
Antony missed training this week due to illness and so he is a doubt for this one with Cucho Hernandez ruled out due to a calf injury and Facundo Bernal remaining suspended.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alvaro Valles; Arnau Ortiz, Diego Llorente, Natan, Fran Garcia; Marc Roca, Dani Ceballos; Pablo Fornals, Isco, Abde Ez; Parrott
Unavailable: Facundo Bernal (Suspended), Cucho (Injured)
Questionable: Junior Firpo (Fitness), Antony (Illness)
Malaga team news: Fresh injuries
Malaga have some fresh injuries for this one as Pablo Martinez has sustained a foot injury and is now a doubt with Joaquin Munoz now ruled out due to a calf issue.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Alfonso Herrero; Carlos Puga, Angel Racio, Enzo Galilea, Rafita; Ramon; David Larrubia, Carlos Dotor, Dani Lorenzo, Aznou; Adrian Nino
Unavailable: Diego Murillo (Injured), Joaquin Munoz (Injured), Aaron Ochoa (Injured), Julen Lobete (Injured)
Questionable: Pablo Martinez (Injured), Juan Cruz (Fitness)
Key stats
- Coming into Matchweek 11, Betis are fourth with 20 points, equalling their best start after ten games since 1997/98 (also 20 in 2022/23).
- Málaga are bottom with five points and are the only La Liga side without a win this season (D5 L5).
- Málaga's five points is their joint-second-lowest total after ten games since 1997/98 (level with 2009/10), ahead only of 2017/18 (four).
- This is the first La Liga meeting since 30 April 2018, when Betis won 2-1 at home – their fourth consecutive win against Málaga.
- Betis lead the head-to-head W11 D7 L8 in 26 La Liga meetings since 1997/98, and are W5 D5 L3 at home.
- Málaga's 5-0 home win on 23 October 2005 is the biggest in the fixture since 1997/98.
- Málaga are winless in 14 La Liga games (D5 L9) since a 2-0 home win over Real Sociedad on 22 April 2018, either side of their eight-season absence from the top flight.
- Málaga have not won an away La Liga game in 16 attempts (D4 L12), since a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad on 10 December 2017.
- Málaga have conceded in six consecutive games and have let in 19 goals this season, scoring only seven.
- Betis won seven consecutive home games before a 5-2 defeat by Barcelona on 17 October – their longest home winning run since 1997/98 apart from eight in 2004/05.
- Betis have scored in nine consecutive home La Liga games and have won four of their five home games this season, keeping three clean sheets.
- Betis are winless in two (D1 L1), and their goal difference is only +2 (16 scored, 14 conceded) despite their position.
‘Key stats’ are La Liga only (not all competitions)
Real Betis vs Malaga prediction
Malaga have not yet won in La Liga so far this season but they have shown some level of competitiveness with five draws, including a 1-1 draw with Deportivo Alaves last weekend before they defeated Alcazar by three goals to nil in the Copa del Rey in midweek. Malaga may well believe they can contain an often profligate Betis side to an extent but Los Verdiblancos remain firm favourites for this Andalusian derby.
Real Betis vs Malaga tip: Real Betis to win
