La Liga: Can Betis End Their Atletico Hoodoo?

Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid

It’s the second matchday of the new La Liga season, and the pick of the weekend fixtures takes place on Sunday evening as Real Betis welcome Atletico Madrid to Andalusia.

Both teams made promising starts to the campaign as Betis claimed a last-gasp win at Villarreal, thanks to William Jose, while Atletico ran out 3-1 winners over Granada at home.

The question now is which team can build on that opening and can Betis end a dismal run against the boys from the capital.

Talking Points

Statistically, this points to another Atletico win. Last term, they boasted the second-best away record in the Spanish top-flight, gaining 35 points from 19 matches on their travels.

While they have not made any headline-grabbing signings this summer, modest business rather than sweeping changes has seen Javi Galan, Santiago Mourino, Caglar Soyuncu, and Cesar Azpilicueta arrive, while they have danger men of real class in attack.

Memphis Depay has put himself in contention to start this weekend after coming off the bench to grab a goal against Granada, while there the spearhead of Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann whose double won this fixture last season.

That’s without mentioning Joao Felix who, if he moves on as expected, will surely see the club add to the squad before the end of the window.

There is uncertainty when it comes to the involvement of Guido Rodriguez as the midfielder is being strongly linked with a move to French side Lyon.

Atletico will definitely be without Jose Gimenez, Reinildo, and Nahuel Molina through injury too, while Koke is also a doubt after sustaining a problem in the early stages of the clash with Granada, which should lead to Pablo Barrios featuring in midfield.

The absence of the former two, alongside Axel Witsel’s suspension, may lead manager Diego Simeone to be a little less defencive which may make for a more open game but cost Los Rojiblancos some solidity.

One player with a real pedigree for creating La Liga 2023 highlights and someone who could take advantage is former Real Madrid man Isco.

He is one of eight arrivals at Real Betis during a busy transfer window this summer, although there have also been some key departures in the shape of Sergio Canales and Edgar Gonzalez.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side finished sixth last term, seven points clear of seventh-placed Osasuna to qualify for the Europa League.

Under the astute Chilean, they are one of a handful of sides who may believe they can sneak into the top four this season perhaps at the expense of last season’s high-flyers Real Sociedad given it seems the top three are usually out on their own.

He is still without important midfield duo William Carvalho and Nabil Fekir due to injury but can take heart from that win at Villarreal.

Ayoze Perez opened the scoring after 20 minutes, but the former Leicester and Newcastle forward also missed several opportunities.

Jorge Cuenca equalised midway through the second half but, with Isco pulling the strings, Betis nicked it in second-half stoppage-time via Jose.

That will have done wonders for their confidence as they prepare to host a team they have a lousy recent record against.

History

Atletico have very much held the upper hand in recent years, including a double league success last term.

A second half double from Griezmann fired them to a 2-1 victory in the corresponding fixture with Fekir replying for the home side.

Atletico also won 1-0 at home in April when Angel Correa scored the only goal. They have won the last four meetings.

Betis have just four victories in their past 32 clashes with seven draws, and the rest all Atletico successes.

February 2019 was when Betis last beat their opponents with a solitary goal from Canales from the penalty spot.

It was 2011 when they last won on Atletico turf, a 2-0 success courtesy of Alejandro Pozuelo and Roque Santa Cruz goals.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP La Liga 2023 betting odds edge towards Atletico 1X2 @ 2.02 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.33.

The draw is on offer @ 3.25, while a repeat of last season’s contest – Correct Score 1-2 – will earn you a tidy pay day @ 7.40.

I think there will be a goal or two but not many and Total Goal 0-1 @ 2.79 has caught my eye.

In the end, though, I have gone for a rare, and their fans will tell you that a Betis victory is long overdue.

Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.19 was tempting, but I have gone for a Real Betis this weekend.

 

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