Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Two sides who will be looking to secure back-to-back La Liga victories on Sunday night, Atletico Madrid will travel to the Estadio Benito Villamarin when they meet Real Betis.
Real Betis
Starting with the hosts, really gaining a string of plaudits last season as they secured a top-six finish among Spain’s elite, it appears that the mood around the Estadio Benito Villamarin is at a continued high. With many in Manuel Pellegrini’s camp setting their sights on mounting a genuine Champions League charge this time around, the Greens certainly opened the 2023/24 campaign with an early statement last weekend. Putting in a stellar performance away at Villarreal as they snatched a remarkable last-gasp 2-1 victory, the former West Ham boss will be desperate for his side to lay down another La Liga marker here. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their final six top-flight appearances last season as they punched a lucrative Europa League ticket, Betis will now be hoping to find some stability on home soil this time around. Yet to claim back-to-back victories at the Estadio Benito Villamarin since opening 2023, Pellegrini’s men should face a rugged test here.
Team News
All missing out away at Villarreal last weekend, Betis will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Claudio Bravo, Nabil Fekir and Juanmi. However, making his full debut in last week’s 2-1 win, former Real Madrid playmaker Isco should keep his role in Pellegrini’s attack.
Coming off the bench and bagging the winner against Villarreal 31-year-old Willian Jose could be handed a first start of the season here.
Atletico Madrid
As for the visitors, although Atletico Madrid might have been disappointed after settling for a bronze medal finish last season, Diego Simeone’s men certainly laid down an early marker on Monday night. Putting in a rampant display at the Estadio Metropolitano as they breezed their way to a 3-1 victory at home against Granada, the former Spanish champions will be looking for a repeat performance here. However, knowing that they face a stern challenge when they travel to the Estadio Benito Villamarin this weekend, Atletico certainly showed some extended issues on the road last season. In fact, Simeone’s men recorded just a single victory from any of their final six domestic showdowns outside of the capital. Nevertheless, clinching a 1-0 win when they welcomed Betis to town back on April 2nd, it should be noted that Atletico have won each of their last four straight showdowns against Sunday’s hosts by an aggregate score of 9-2.
Team News
Both getting on the scoresheet against Granada last weekend, the duo of Alvaro Morata and Memphis Depay will spearhead Atletico’s charge on Sunday night. French superstar Antoine Griezmann could be dropped down to the bench here.
However, still dealing with a stacked injury list, Simeone will be unable to call upon the likes of Vitolo, Nahuel Molina, Reinildo Mandava and defensive talisman Jose Maria Gimenez here.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides last met back on April 2nd, Atletico Madrid picked up a 1-0 victory on home soil.
- Likewise, Sunday’s guests have won each of their last four meetings against Real Betis by an aggregate score of 9-2.
- On a similar note, Simeone’s men are unbeaten in each of their previous nine meetings against Betis across all competitions – a run that stems back to February 2019.
- Real Betis have failed to secure back-to-back victories at the Estadio Benito Villamarin since opening 2023.
- Atletico Madrid signed off the 2022/23 campaign by mustering just a single win from any of their final six domestic fixtures.
Conclusion
While Atletico Madrid might have made an early statement in their 3-1 victory against Granada last weekend, the former Spanish champions should face a stern test here. With Real Betis springing a heavyweight upset as they opened the 2023/24 campaign with a 2-1 win away at Villarreal, both teams will be smelling the chance to lay down another marker. It should be noted, with each of their last four meetings at the Estadio Benito Villamarin finishing with over 1.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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