Villarreal vs Real Betis Preview: Team News & Prediction

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These are two of the pretenders to the so-called big three meeting at El Madrigal this weekend as an entertaining Villarreal side face an entertaining Real Betis team.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Sevilla vs Barcelona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – La Liga TV / Disney+ / US – ESPN+
Villarreal preview: Entertaining Yellow Submarine
Coached by former Athletic Club and Valencia boss Marcelino, Villarreal were brilliant last season as they qualified for the UEFA Champions League and the Yellow Submarine are again punching above their weight as they sit in the top three.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 3-1 loss to league leaders Real Madrid, though, at El Madrigal in a game in which that result very much flattered Los Blancos at the Bernabeu.
Real Betis preview: Entertaining Los Verdiblancos
Coached by former Manchester City and West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis were excellent in the second-half of last season and they are again tucked inside the top four themselves ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
The Andalusians managed three successive victories ahead of the October international break, most recently defeating Espanyol from behind by two goals to one at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.
Villarreal team news: Santiago Mourino suspended
In that clash against Madrid, Santiago Mourino was sent off and he is now missing through suspension, whilst key forwards Gerard Moreno and Ayoze Perez are doubts.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Arnau Tenas; Partey, Rafa Marin, Veiga, Sergi Cardona, Buchanan, Dani Parejo, Santi Comesana, Gueye; Oluwaseyi, Alberto Moleiro
Unavailable: Kambwala (Injured), Costa (Injured), Santiago Mourino (Suspended), Foyth (Injured), Pau Cabanes (Injured)
Questionable: Gerard (Injured), Ayoze (Injured)
Real Betis team news: A few doubts
Betis are dealing with a few key doubts for this weekend as defensive duo Marc Bartra and Diego Llorente are potentially sidelined alongside midfield duo Sofyan Amrabat and Nelson Deossa.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pau Lopez; Hector Bellerin, Natan, Valentin Gomez, Rodriguez; Pablo Fornals, Marc Roca; Antony, Lo Celso, Abde Ez; Cucho
Unavailable: Isco (Injured)
Questionable: Marc Bartra (Injured), Diego Llorente (Injured), Amrabat (Injured), Nelson Deossa (Injured)
Villarreal vs Real Betis prediction
This is likely to be a real thriller for the neutral. Both of them lack the resources to be able to actually compete for the title but they can both certainly gatecrash the top four this season. Not only that, though, they both play an entertaining style of football and this should be a high-scoring clash, too. They both have a lot of talent in attack and both teams scoring seems a good bet for this one in Castellon.
Villarreal vs Real Betis tip: Over 2.5 goals