Prediction: Betis vs Sevilla

Verdict: Full-time result draw

 Best odds: 3.20

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Everlasting rivals Sevilla will visit Betis at the Benito Villamarin Stadium in episode 141 of The Great Derby. From the fans ‘ perspective, the most significant game of the season will take place on Sunday night in front of a 60,000 crowd. Although Betis is better positioned than Sevilla this term, the visitors have the upper hand in the derby with 65 wins from 140 battles.

Betis

Betis is having another disappointing season marked by inconsistency and results below expectations, domestically and in Europe. Although the hosts played in the Europa League group stage, the team trained by Manuel Pellegrini finished 3rd, ending prematurely their Europa League journey. However, this position allowed them to play in the Conference League where they faced Croatia heavyweights, Dinamo Zagreb. Even though Betis started as favourites against Dinamo Zagreb, the Croatians knocked them out after two legs in which Betis managed just one goal. Also, this lack of accuracy in the opposition’s box has transcended in La Liga where The Glorious scored only 40 goals.

Despite these lacklustre performances, Betis moved three points closer to Real Sociedad by taking advantage of their rivals’ mistakes in the race to qualify for the Europa League the following season. The Greens played more intensely lately as evidenced by their two wins, snapping their losing run of four straight league games.

After a thrilling victory away to Valencia and a 2-1 victory at home against Celta Vigo, Betis is now the clear favourite in the Seville derby. Beating Sevilla becomes essential for Betis considering the upcoming busy schedule with tricky fixtures against Osasuna, Las Palmas, Real Sociedad, and Real Madrid.

Manuel Pellegrini needs to handle carefully the end of the season, as the Chilean boss can’t afford his team to miss a top 7 finish if he wants to remain in charge next term.

Team News

Having all players available and fit, Manuel Pellegrini can line up his best formation to tackle Sevilla. However, considering the upcoming difficult games, Ayoze Perez, Aitor Ruibal and Assane Diao must maintain their against Sevilla to avoid a suspension.

Sevilla

Sevilla’s fall in Spanish football has been obvious in recent times. The multi-awarded squad at national and European levels went from winning trophies domestically and in Europe to a fight for survival in La Liga. The visitors are in the bottom half of the table with virtually no chance of qualifying for a European Cup.

Still, appointing Quique Sanchez Flores as manager following the dismissal of Diego Alonso had Sevilla back on track. The experienced Spanish manager successfully revitalized a team that looked to be fighting to avoid relegation, bringing it towards safety. More so, under his spell, Sevilla is on a recent excellent run with three consecutive wins, making their fans dream of a top 7 finish.

The Red and Whites can build up on the last two away wins, a series of positive results they aim to extend past the Betis clash. Defeating away Getafe (1-0) and Las Palmas (2-0), providing solid defending and pinpoint accuracy in the opposition’s box is what Sevilla’s fans hope to see against their local rivals.

A home win against Mallorca (2-1) is the perfect result before travelling to Benito Villamarin Stadium where Sevilla’s last win came in November 2021 at the end of a difficult battle in which The Bathtubs edged Betis (0-2). With the season nearing an end with difficult games against heavy opponents like Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona and Villareal, Quique Sanchez Flores’s team needs a positive result against Betis.

Team News

Loic Bade and Djibril Sow will miss the Seville derby. However, the visitors have enough quality players on the bench that can successfully replace the missing duo. Sevilla will aim to explore Betis’ weakness displayed in the recent home games, with top striker Youssef En Nessiry looking to get his name on the scoreboard for the 3rd consecutive time.

Key factors to consider

• Betis won the last two La Liga games with the same score: 2-1 (against Celta Vigo and Valencia)
• The hosts suffered only two defeats at Benito Villamarin Stadium this term in the Spanish top-flight
• Sevilla is back on track with excellent results that led to three consecutive wins
• The visitors defeated Las Palmas and Getafe away from home without conceding

Conclusion

The Great Derby finds Betis and Sevilla in excellent form before the kickoff with any of the teams seeming to have the upper hand in this crucial fixture. We expect another tight clash between the Andalusian sides that might end up in a stalemate as it happened earlier in the season at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Verdict: Full-time result draw

 Best odds: 3.20

Bookmaker: ZetBet