Prediction: Sevilla vs Real Betis

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 41/50

Bookmaker: 888sport

Real Betis and Sevilla will kick off the restart in LaLiga, Spain’s top-tier league, after a very long hiatus of three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This derby finds Sevilla entrenched in Champions League zone, while Betis sit in the bottom half of the standings with nowhere to go. Kick-off for this match has been scheduled for Thursday at 21:00 GMT.

Sevilla

Sevilla currently sit in third place of the standings with 47 points and are coming off a four-game undefeated streak (W2, D2). Los Nervionenses, however, should be considered as a below-average side when playing at home, since they have posted a W6, D5, L2 mark at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. They want to win the three points against their archrivals because that could put them one step closer from qualifying to the UEFA Champions League ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. But in order to do so, they need to strengthen their play on both ends of the pitch. Their ongoing four-game undefeated streak is a step in the right direction. Can they replicate that during the remaining fixtures of the schedule?

Team News

Sevilla won’t have central midfielder Nemanja Gudelj due to a suspension.

As if that wasn’t enough, Suso (knee) and Fernando (leg) are both doubtful. The former, however, might be able to start either way.

Real Betis

Real Betis are in 12th place of the standings and have won just one of their last four league contests (W1, D2, L1), so it’s clear they have a lot of work to do if they want to climb in the standings. However, the visitors know their European hopes are not completely over. As things stand now, Betis are “only” nine points behind Valencia (7th) with plenty of football left to be played. The Benito Vellamarin outfit must get a positive result out of this fixture because if they don’t, their chances of dreaming with a UEFA Europa League berth could begin to disappear rather quickly. For what is worth, Betis own a W1, D6, L6 record when playing on the road in 2019-20. That’s not ideal, especially knowing they are winless away from home since late November.

Team News

Juanmi (leg) has already been ruled out due to a foot injury.

Mexican winger Diego Lainez is doubtful due to a strain. However, he wouldn’t start even if he was fit for this matchup.

Key Factors to Consider

• Games between these two sides often feature plenty of scoring. Four of the last five have produced over 2.5 goals scored, and three have registered at least four goals.
• As if that wasn’t enough, four of the last five Liga matches between these two sides have also seen both teams scoring.
• The recent H2H record is quite even, with two wins apiece and one draw. Sevilla, however, have gone W4, L1 in their last five H2H contests at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
• Betis are riding a five-game winless run in all competitions when playing on the road (D2, L3).

Conclusion

There have been plenty of goals between these two sides. Thursday’s contest shouldn’t be any different.

As a result, it would be safe to bet on over 2.5 total goals.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 41/50

Bookmaker: 888sport