Prediction: Las Palmas vs Real Betis

Verdict: Real Betis win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to take a giant leap towards booking a top-six finish, Real Betis will travel to the Estadio Gran Canaria on Thursday night when they meet Las Palmas.

Las Palmas

Starting with the hosts, while Las Palmas might have all-but officially secured their La Liga status for another season, Garcia Pimenta’s men are in the midst of a nightmare rut. Last seen putting in another toothless performance as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Mallorca, the Yellows have remarkably lost all of their previous eight consecutive top-flight appearances – a run that stems all the way back to a 3-3 stalemate against Getafe on March 2nd. Coming under plenty of recent scrutiny, the former Barcelona coach has also seen his downbeat squad muster just a single victory from any of their last 15 outings. Really limping their way over the finishing line, Las Palmas have also shown some rather glaring issues in the final third. Along with drawing three La Liga blanks on the bounce, Thursday’s hosts have also registered just a sole strike in since the start of March.

Team News

Missing out away at Mallorca over the weekend, Las Palmas are once again expected to be without the services of former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Daley Sinkgraven here. However, after serving a one-match domestic suspension on Saturday afternoon, 24-year-old Sergi Cardona will return to Pimenta’s squad in midweek.

Forced to settle for a spot on the bench in Palma a few days ago, academy graduate Alberto Moleiro could be handed an immediate recall. Despite notching just a single La Liga strike since the start of January, ex-Barcelona starlet Munir El Haddadi will be hoping to spearhead Las Palmas’ charge here.

Real Betis

As for the visitors, while Real Betis might have shown some minor issues on either side of March’s international break, Manuel Pellegrini’s men have come roaring back. Last seen over the weekend claiming an action-packed 3-2 victory against Almeria, the former Manchester City boss has seen his squad muster 13 points from just their previous five La Liga appearances. Opening May with a routine 2-0 win away at Osasuna, the Andalusia-based outfit will certainly be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Sat in the driving seat to punch another Europa League ticket this season, Betis have also found a real clinical edge in the final third. Including consecutive 2-1 victories against Valencia and Celta Vigo last month, Thursday’s guests have bagged at least a pair of strikes in five of their previous six showdowns.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term Achilles tendon injury, Real Betis have already confirmed that former Barcelona defender Marc Bartra will not feature over the remainder of the season. However, despite missing out against Almeria over the weekend, Pellegrini’s men are confident that ex-Fiorentina star German Pezzella could make a full return here.

Continuing to receive a string of plaudits this season and notching back-to-back La Liga goals since opening May, midfield talisman Isco will once again play a leading role on Thursday night. USA international Johnny Cardoso will partner Guido Rodriguez at the heart of Pellegrini’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Las Palmas and Real Betis met for their reverse La Liga showdown on November 26th, Thursday’s guests collected a 1-0 victory at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
• Likewise, Betis have won all of their previous four straight meetings against Las Palmas by an aggregate score of 7-0.
• Pellegrini’s men have collected 13 points from just their previous five La Liga appearances.
• Las Palmas have remarkably lost all of their previous eight La Liga matchups on the bounce.
• Thursday’s hosts have also registered just a single victory from any of their last 15 straight outings.

Conclusion

Mustering 13 points from their previous five La Liga appearances, Real Betis will certainly be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Looking to take a giant step towards booking another Europa League finish, Thursday’s guests will be looking to cash in on a Las Palmas squad who find themselves at the heart of a public La Liga crisis. With Betis winning all of their last four meetings against the Yellows by an aggregate score of 7-0, we are predicting a similar away victory for Pellegrini’s men in midweek.

Verdict: Real Betis win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Luckster