La Liga: Challenger Teams Come Head to Head

Real Betis vs Villarreal

Fourth plays third in the La Liga match of the weekend as two of Spain’s best sides come head-to-head in Seville, where Real Betis vs Villarreal is the entertainment on offer.

Much like the rest of the Spanish league, both clubs have lived in the shadow of the two Madrid giants and Barcelona for years, but they are challengers to the big three as they each pursue a top four place and cup silverware.  

So far this season, Real Madrid are shaping up well and the Blaugrana are in second place and ahead of Villarreal on goal difference. Atleti are off the pace and so these two challengers will fight tooth and nail to keep hold of a Champions League spot.      

Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini led his side to three consecutive wins before losing to Real Madrid last weekend, while Villarreal remain unbeaten in the league after thrashing Elche 4-0. 

They were both in Europa League action on Thursday night and both came through well as Betis won away in Helsinki and Villarreal beat Lech Poznan 4-3 at home. 

Former Arsenal boss Emery has led Villarreal to European heights with a Europa League title in 2021 and a Champions League semi-final last season.

And the early season La Liga 2022 betting odds have installed the Yellow Submarine as clear fourth favourites for the title, while Betis are battling just behind alongside Real Sociedad and Sevilla. The winner of this game will cement a top four place while the loser could slip into the pack.

Maybe a point apiece will suit Pellegrini and Emery?

Talking Points

Can Betis get over the Real blip?

Los Verdiblancos briefly went top of the league when they beat Osasuna 1-0 two weeks ago and they had a chance, albeit a slim one, to retake the top spot when they faced Real Madrid last week.

Los Verdiblancos gave it a good go, and when attacking midfielder Sergio Canales drew them level, a surprise result looked on.

But Rodrygo’s second half strike gave Los Blancos a win and ended Betis’ winning streak.

They got back on the winning trail on Thursday as two goals from Willian Jose gave them a win over Helsinki, but Villarreal will provide another big test.   

Star striker Borja Iglesias has been providing plenty of La Liga 2022 highlights as usual, and with four goals he is the third top scorer in the league behind Robert Lewandowski and Iago Aspas who have five. And alongside Willian, he will stretch Villarreal’s defence at every opportunity.

Winning in Europe is good, but the Betis players know this clash with Villarreal is vital.   

Baena could be the real deal for Villarreal

21-year-old winger Alex Baena has been blooded by Villarreal boss Emery this season and he looks like a star in the making.

Baena is a real livewire, playing wide out on the left or he can operate as a number 10 and he scored twice in the Yellow Submarine’s narrow win against Poznan.

He also has two goals in the league, alongside experienced striker Gerard Moreno, and Emery has plenty more creative talent in his side.  

Samuel Chukwueze scored in Thursday’s Europa League tie and, at 23 years of age, the Nigerian forward is also developing into a hot property while attacking midfielder Yeremy Pino is being watched by the biggest clubs in Europe. 

Giovani Lo Celso, on loan from Spurs, has good vision and an impressive array of passing while centre-back pairing of Raul Albiol and Pau Torres is one of the best in Spain.

This looks like a top four side.  

History

Real Betis and Villarreal only have one La Liga title between them and that was way back in 1935 when Los Verdiblancos were the Kings of Spain, though the Yellow Submarine came close in 2008 when they finished as league runners-up.

The head-to-heads tell a story of an evenly-matched tussle with the Yellow Submarine winning 15 of the last 36 encounters to Real Betis’ 12, and there have been nine draws.

Emery’s team did the double last season with two 2-0 victories over Betis and, in terms of recent form, Villarreal have the edge with five wins and a draw from the last six games, while Betis have won four, drawn one, and lost one.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP odds favour the Yellow Submarine but only just with all three results well in play.

And Betis fans will fancy a return to winning ways at a price of 2.76, while there are good cases for the draw at 3.16 or Villarreal at 2.40. I think the visitors’ strength in depth gives them the edge and, if this game is to go either way, it will be in Emery’s direction.

 

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