Real Betis vs Villarreal
Even by the adage that very little surprises you in football nowadays, this observer was taken aback by events a few days ago. It wasn’t in La Liga that the incident occurred, but rather in the Spanish Super Cup Final, involving the country’s top two teams.
The way in which the players of Real Madrid undermined their now former manager, Xabi Alonso, showed just what happens when player power goes too far.
The upshot is that Madrid have filled the vacancy with reserve team coach Alvaro Arbeloa, while I am sure he will only be in post temporarily, I suspect they will now fall further behind leaders and reigning champions Barcelona.
What’s more, there’s the chance for others to take advantage and close the gap on Los Blancos.
Two such teams aiming to deliver La Liga 2026 highlights this weekend will clash in Sevilla on Saturday night.
Talking Points
To the surprise of many, Villarreal are currently third in the standings, just four points behind Real with a game in hand.
That they have only lost three of their 18 league games so far this season – and those to the big three (Real, Barca, and Atletico Madrid) – highlights just what a fine first half of the league campaign they are enjoying.
Their success is more impressive given they sold two of their best attackers last summer, with the departures of Alex Baena and Thierno Barry to Atletico Madrid and Everton, respectively.
Baena was the team’s top playmaker with seven league goals and 10 assists, while Barry had 11 league goals and four assists last season.
They have brushed that aside, though, and been super consistent, winning five of their last six matches, including their first two games of the New Year – beginning with a victory at Elche before they saw off Alaves by the same 3-1 scoreline a week ago.
As Football Espana noted, it was reasonable to predict that the departure of Baena, statistically La Liga’s best goal provider over the previous two seasons, would be a keenly felt absence.
Yet in came Alberto Moleiro, once the heir to Pedri’s throne at Las Palmas, and he looks like he could well fill the boots of his predecessor.
Then there’s the double GMs – Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze – who scored, along with Moleiro, last weekend and could well be their danger men against Betis.
When my colleague previewed their meeting earlier in the season, it was billed as a top four tussle, and while few predicted both clubs would keep the pace, they have stayed at the sharp end.
Betis may be 12 points behind the Yellow Submarine, but they remain in sixth spot – the final league position which would guarantee European football next term.
On the team news front, they remain without the services of star man Isco, who underwent an ankle operation a few weeks ago. Abde Ezzalzouli is absent as part of the Morocco squad contesting the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
They will make fitness checks on Angel Ortiz, Cucho Hernandez, Junior Firpo and Hector Bellerin, with all four regarded as doubts.
As for Villarreal, they also have two key men set to be involved in Sunday’s AFCON final – Senegal’s Pape Gueye and Morocco’s Ilias Akhomach. Pau Cabanes, Logan Costa, Willy Kambwala, and Thiago Fernandez all remain out through injury.
Betis were in action in midweek as they saw off Elche in the Copa del Rey to book Manuel Pellegrini’s side a place in the quarter-finals. Villarreal had a week off, and that may be a key difference.
History
Betis just about lead the head-to-head record, posting 19 wins to Villarreal’s 18 successes, while there have also been 12 draws in their previous 49 meetings in all competitions.
Villarreal’s last three wins over Betis have actually come on their travels, including last season when Barry and Ayoze Perez scored in a 2-1 win after Aitor Ruibal had given Betis an early lead.
The meeting earlier this term finished two apiece with Antony scoring twice, including a 94th-minute equaliser – both set up by Pablo Fornals – after Tajon Buchanan and Moleiro had put Villarreal in the driving seat.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP La Liga 2026 betting odds edge towards an away win, but the sides are closely matched.
You can back Villarreal 1X2 @ 2.41 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.28, or Betis at a slightly more attractive 1X2 @ 2.66 and Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.66. Another draw will pay out @ 3.22 and another 2-2 draw @ 12.00 with Correct Score.
I do think it will be close but I’m edging for Villarreal.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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