Real Betis vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
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These two sides have had busy weeks in the build-up. Real Betis played in the UEFA Europa Conference League and Real Sociedad travelled to Denmark in the UEFA Europa League.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 16th February, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
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 Real Sociedad may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Real Betis Preview: Manuel’s inconsistent Andalusians
Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis come into this one on the back of an impressive 3-0 defeat of Gent in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League knockout playoff round tie thanks to goals from winter signing Antony as well as Cedric Bakambu and Sergio Altimira.
The Andalusians have been generally quite indifferent domestically, though, as they have slipped into the bottom-half of the table after a 3-2 loss to Celta Vigo last weekend. They have won just one of their last six matches in the league.
Real Sociedad Preview: The real La Real need to stand up
Real Sociedad have also struggled domestically as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting only just about tucked inside the top seven and the European spots in La Liga due to a much-needed 2-1 defeat of struggling Espanyol at the Basque Country last weekend.
La Real have backed up that victory by defeating Midtjylland by two goals to one in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa League in midweek, too, with goals coming from Takefusa Kubo and Brais Mendez before Adam Buksa pulled one back for the Danish Superliga outfit.
Real Betis Team News: Perraud suspension
Former Southampton left-back Romain Perraud is unavailable for Betis this weekend as he is missing through suspension, whilst Portugal international William Carvalho is also sidelined as he deals with an Achilles issue that has kept him out since mid-October.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Marc Bartra, Diego Llorente, Natan, Rodriguez; Johnny Cardoso, Marc Roca; Antony, Isco, Abde Ez; Bakambu
Unavailable: Perraud (Suspended), Carvalho (Injured)
Questionable: Aitor Ruibal (Injured), Sabaly (Injured), Hector Bellerin (Injured)
Real Sociedad Team News: Defensive doubts
Experienced centre-back Igor Zubeldia is a key doubt due to a knee injury for Real Sociedad alongside former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Odriozola. Former Stade Rennais defender Ham Traore remains unavailable, too, due to an ACL injury.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Aritz Elustondo, Ageurd, Javi Lopez; Sucic, Martin Zubimendi, Pablo Marin; Becker, Oskarsson, Sergio Gomez
Unavailable: Traore (Injured)
Questionable: Igor Zubeldia (Injured), Alvaro Odriozola (Injured)
Real Betis vs Real Sociedad Prediction
Real Betis have been much-improved in the last couple of performances with their 3-2 defeat to Celta Vigo at Balaidos last weekend ending up in an unfortunate loss. They were very impressive in their hammering of Gent the other day, though. They face a Real Sociedad side that will also have a bit more confidence in their play after recent back-to-back wins of their own. The two sides are in similar situations and have the same circumstance of having just been abroad with a second-leg in a European tie to come and a draw bet would appear good value.
Real Betis vs Real Sociedad Tip: Draw
