Monday evening is dominated by the debut of Clarence Seedorf on the bank of Deportivo La Coruna, which gets its own Riazor visit from Real Betis. Can he immediately welcome his new employer with a victory?

Barely fifteen years ago Deportivo La Coruna was a feared European subtopper. With big names like Diego Tristan, Djalminha and Roy Makaay in the ranks, the Galicians even made it to the Spanish national title in 2000 and in 2004 the blues reached the semi-final of the Champions League. However, that success period is already a thing of the past. Nowadays Deportivo La Coruna has to make every effort every season to avoid relegation. Also this football year is the weather alert phase red, because with a penultimate place degradation threatens to the Segunda Division.

Last weekend, Deportivo La Coruna went down 5-0 at Real Sociedad, after which trainer Cristobal Parralo was put out on the street. Subsequently no one other than Clarence Seedorf was appointed as successor. The Dutchman had an active career to lick your finger at, but his career after short-lived adventures at AC Milan and Shenzhen does not really go smoothly. At Depor he does not end up in a staggered bed, but Seedorf sees enough potential: ‘Deportivo La Coruna should be ranked higher in the rankings in terms of player material.’ There he has a point, because especially in the forefront are blue whites with players like Lucas Perez, Florin Andone, Adrian Lopez, Fede Cartabia and Emre Colak well provided. The big problem, however, lies in the rear, which does not bake anything for the entire season. With 51 opponents in just 22 rounds, Deportivo La Coruna is the team with the most goals in the entire League.

The fans of Real Betis have a new hero. Last week, debutant Loren Moron made his team in his own Benito Villamarin personally pass by Villarreal: 2-1. ‘I’ve been working for all these years, this is a dream come true,’ the attacker said. Thanks to this victory Real Betis returned in the left-hand row and has the Spanish subtop in sight, but European football coach Quique Setien does not yet think: ‘Selling hot air is not my style.’

It is understandable that Setien does not want to impose extra pressure on his team, because Real Betis performs very changeable. This is mainly due to the weak defense, which was beaten 45 times in barely 22 rounds this season. With so many countergames, it may well be called a miracle that the Andalusians are in the left-hand row. Also on Monday-evening it will probably be quite a job for goalkeeper Adan to keep his goal clean, because with Antonio Barragan (suspended) and Zou Feddal (injured) the visitors miss their central defense duo. Especially Feddal will be missed. Aisa Mandi and Marc Barta will probably be in the middle of the back against Deportivo La Coruna. Barta is an excellent defender, but I am less impressed by the qualities of Mandi.

PREDICTION: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.61