Prediction: Alaves to win 2-1
Best Odds: 17/2
La Liga rivals Alaves and Real Betis will lock horns with each other in the Round of 32 of the Copa del Rey this weekend. The match between Luis García Plaza’s side and Manuel Pellegrini’s team will be held at Mendizorroza and is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm UK time on Saturday.
Alaves
Alaves finished fourth in the Segunda Division last season and ended up in La Liga after winning promotion via the playoffs. Luis García Plaza’s side were expected to fight for survival in La Liga this season, and while they are not exactly doing great at the moment, they could escape the dreaded drop to the second tier of Spanish football.
El Glorioso are 15th in the La Liga table at the moment with 17 points from 19 matches. They are only two points above the relegation. However, that Sevilla are below them in the standings and Villarreal are only two points above them is very encouraging for them.
Alaves will head into the Copa del Rey tie against Real Betis this weekend on the back of a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad away from home in La Liga. It came after a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid at home in the league which followed a 3-0 loss at the hands of Girona in the league.
Team News:
Alaves are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Antonio Sivera will be in the goal for the home team. Andoni Gorosabel, Nahuel Tenaglia, Rafa Marin and Javi Lopez will be the four defenders. Antonio Bianco and Ander Guevara will be the two holding midfielders and will have Luis Rioja, Jon Guridi and Abde Rebbach in attacking midfield. Samu Omorodion will lead the line for the home team.
Real Betis
Real Betis are a big and established club in La Liga who tend to challenge for the European places in the table. Betis finished sixth in the La Liga table last season and will fancy their chances of doing even better this time around.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side are seventh in the La Liga table at the moment with 28 points from 19 matches. Betis are 10 points behind defending champions and fourth-placed Barcelona and are seven points behind fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao.
Betis will head into the Copa del Rey tie against Alaves on the back of a 1-1 draw with Girona at home in La Liga. It came after a goalless draw with Real Sociedad on the road in the league and followed a 3-2 defeat to Rangers at home in UEFA Europa League.
Team News:
Real Betis are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Rui Silva will be in goal for the visiting team. Hector Bellerin, German Pezzella, Chadi Riad and Juan Miranda will be the four defenders. Andres Guardado and Marc Roca will be the two holding midfielders. Assane Diao, Rodri Sanchez and Ayoze Perez will be the three attacking midfielders and will have Willian Jose ahead of them as the lone striker upfront.
Key Factors to Consider
- Alaves have lost 3 of their last 5 La Liga matches.
- Alaves have scored 15 goals in 19 La Liga matches this season.
- Real Betis have drawn 4 of their last 5 La Liga games.
- Real Betis have conceded 20 goals in 19 La Liga games.
- Ayoze Perez and Willian Jose have scored 6 goals each for Real Betis so far this season.
Conclusion
Alaves and Real Betis are not in good form at the moment, but they will want to win this Copa del Rey tie and get back into form. Alaves will have home advantage, and that could be decisive in the end.
Prediction: Alaves to win 2-1
Best Odds: 17/2
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