La Liga: Can Betis Add the Defending Champions to Scalps?

Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid

They are the unlikely lads flying high in La Liga.

That was how I described Real Betis and Real Sociedad almost three months ago – praising the former for their first half of the campaign.

Did I honestly think they’d still be doing so well on the cusp of spring? Of course not.

Yet here we are with 12 games remaining and Manuel Pellegrini’s men are in third place in the table ahead of the likes of Barcelona and defending champions Atletico Madrid, who are the visitors to Andalusia this weekend.

Talking Points

Let’s start with an obvious statement.

Pellegrini is a manager with a winning pedigree so perhaps we should not be too surprised he has made his mark during his 20 months at the helm.

He guided Betis to sixth spot last term. And despite a fairly miserable time at West Ham, let’s also not forgot Pellegrini won the 2014 Premier League title and two League Cups during three years in England with Manchester City.

Let’s now look at the other factors.

Betis have not finished in the top four since 2005 and have only a fraction of the spending power of those sides around them.

Yet that has not stopped them creating La Liga 2022 highlights this term, including a 1-0 success at Barcelona.And while a five-game unbeaten run came to an end in a derby defeat to Sevilla last weekend, Betis are now celebrating again after a last-gasp Borja Iglesias goal secured a place in this season’s Copa del Rey Final.

Pellegrini and his players will know any slip-up will allow both Barca and Atletico to overtake them since they are just a point behind them and Barcelona have a game in hand.

However, that may focus the mind even more for the hosts who are still likely to be without Martin Montoya (Achilles) and fellow defender Juan Miranda (muscular) on Sunday evening.

As for Atletico, who drew 1-1 with Manchester United in the Champions League last week and have shown recent improvement, they will be missing Mario Hermoso who is posed to be joined on the sidelines by Geoffrey Kondogbia (hamstring) – an injury he picked up after laying on both goals in a 2-0 win against Celta Vigo last weekend.

Stefan Savic added to Diego Simeone’s selection woes by earning a suspension-inducing fifth yellow card in that game.

Club captain Koke may also be absent after missing the last two matches with a muscle injury, although he has returned to light training this week.

Matheus Cunha and Daniel Wass are also expected to be ruled out with knee injuries.

On paper, Atletico should be too strong. But then again, that has been said for many a side to fall at the feet of Betis so far this term.

History

Betis have a poor record against Atletico over the last decade or so. In fact, they have won just one of their last 18 La Liga matches against the club from the capital (L13, D4).

Indeed, during Simeone’s decade at Atletico, Los Rojiblancos have only beaten two clubs more often than Betis.

That includes on Betis turf with Atletico defeating them in eight of the last 12 league meetings. The sole home victory came in February 2019, courtesy of a Sergio Canales penalty.

Earlier this season, Atletico ran out 3-0 winners thanks to Yannick Carrasco, Joao Felix, and an own goal.

The corresponding match last term ended with honours even with Carrasco again on target before Cristian Tello levelled for Betis – all this inside the opening 20 minutes in a match that finished one apiece.

Overall, Atletico have 24 victories in their meetings with 13 draws and 12 Betis triumphs.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP La Liga 2022 betting odds favour the champions 1X2 @ 2.42 and Asian Handicap – 0.50 @ 2.42.

For a draw, then odds of 1X2 @ 3.35 may appeal, as may Correct Score 1-1 @ 5.40 in what would be a rerun of the fixture last season.

For Betis to take all three points, then how about 1X2 @ 2.81 or Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.25?

Another 3-0 Atletico success will pay out @ 27.00.

For goals, then you should consider over 2.75 @ 2.28, Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.20, 2-3 @ 1.90 and 4-6 @ 3.65. I do think having a week without a match while Betis had Copa del Rey exertions may prove to be the key. So as a result, I am going to plump for an away win.

 

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