Real Betis vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Beginning their season a week after half of the division, Real Betis and Real Sociedad are two of the strongest sides outside of the elite in La Liga as they face off at La Cartuja.
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: Sticking by Manuel Pellegrini
Real Betis finished fifth in La Liga last season and qualified for the UEFA Champions League. Copa del Rey winners and UEFA Europa Conference League finalists during the Manuel Pellegrini era, Betis have stuck by the Chilean, who came in for some criticism from Los Verdiblancos supporters this summer.
Betis have not lost many major players over the summer, albeit the experienced Pau Lopez has left for FC Andorra. In terms of incomings, he has been replaced by Diego Conde between the sticks with Fran Garcia and Facundo Bernal brought in from Real Madrid and Fluminense, respectively.
Real Sociedad preview: A full pre-season for Matarazzo
Mid-way through last season, Real Sociedad opted to bring in former Hoffenheim boss Pellegrino Matarazzo and his time in the Basque Country began extremely well as they majorly improved and eventually went on to beat Atletico Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey on penalties at La Cartuja in mid-April.
La Real took their foot off the gas towards the end of the campaign, having secured UEFA Europa League qualification via the cup, but they have handed Matarazzo a new contract and the American is expected to continue the good work he started. They have been very quiet in the transfer windows but, for once, no major sales have been completed.
Real Betis team news: Conde out
Frustratingly for Betis, their supposed new ‘number one’ Diego Conde suffered a shoulder injury in pre-season and he is now unavailable. FIFA World Cup finalist with Argentina, Giovani Lo Celso recently returned to Betis and is a fitness doubt, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alvaro Valles; Angel Ortiz, Diego Llorente, Natan, Fran Garcia; Facundo Bernal, Isco; Antony, Pablo Fornals, Rodrigo Riquelme; Cucho
Unavailable: Conde (Injured)
Questionable: Hector Bellerin (Injured), Lo Celso (Fitness), Aitor Ruibal (Injured), Abde Ez (Injured), Gonzalo Petit (Injured)
Real Sociedad team news: No Guedes
Goncalo Guedes was key to the Matarazzo-led improvement of Real Sociedad but he is sidelined for the opener, alongside former Real Madrid right-back Alvaro Odriozola with midfielder Jon Gorroxtategi having not yet fully recovered from a groin injury sustained at the back end of last season.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Jon Pacheco, Aihen Munoz; Benat Turrientes, Yangel Herrera; Ander Barrenetxea, Carlos Soler, Kubo; Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Alvaro Odriozola (Injured), Guedes (Injured)
Questionable: Jon Balda (Injured), Jon Gorroxtategi (Fitness)
Real Betis vs Real Sociedad prediction
Real Betis often play quite a front foot and attacking style. That can also often be undermined by being fairly underwhelming and disorganised at the back. Real Sociedad, after a first full pre-season under Matarazzo, are expected to be even more intense and energetic than they have been in the past, showing signs of that last year. Those styles should make for a fun watch for the neutral and both teams scoring seems a decent bet for this one in Seville.
Real Betis vs Real Sociedad tip: Both teams to score
