BETIS VS REAL SOCIEDAD PREVIEW & PREDICTION
The meeting between Real Betis and Real Sociedad could turn out at a real goals fair. Both teams score easily, but also regularly get a turn around the ears in the back. The fans will probably sit on the edge of their seat at the Benito Villamarin.
Betis :
With three victories in the last four matches, Real Betis has been in excellent shape in recent weeks. Last Monday, the Andalusians won convincingly with 0-2 at Levante thanks to a goal and a goal from Sergio Leon. “I do not know what I’ve been smoking lately, but I can assure you it’s all good quality,” quipped trainer Quique Setien, who is very successful with his offensive way of playing. ‘We are in good shape and should benefit as much as possible.’ With a bit of luck, we will see the greenwinds back in the Europa League next season, although the team does not want to put extra pressure on itself. Striker Sergio Leon: ‘We look up, but Europe can not become an obsession.’
Against Levante, Real Betis again played with a four-man rearguard. That went very well, so it is obvious that Setien will keep his 4-4-2 formation intact. However, the coach has already hinted that the next two matches will rotate. Players like Cristian Tello, Victor Camarasa, Ruben Castro and Riza Durmisi make a good chance for a starting place on Thursday-evening. Biggest challenge is keeping the zero, something that the green-witches have not succeeded in eight home games. Real Betis is the fourth-most scoring team of La Liga, but remains extremely vulnerable in the back.
Real Sociedad :
Dark clouds gather together above San Sebastian. Local pride Real Sociedad is experiencing a dramatic season. The Basques were eliminated last week by the Austrian RB Salzburg in the Europa League and are not more than fifteenth in La Liga. The blue-whites are no longer a shadow of the team that finished in a nice sixth place last season.
Also last weekend, the team of the injured trainer Eusebio went down again. On a visit to Valencia, Real Sociedad drew 2-1 at the shortest end. A bitter defeat, because especially in the second half the visitors were the bosses. ‘We earned at least a draw, but it was not allowed today,’ says Eusebio. The defeat was largely due to goalkeeper Tono Ramirez, who went wrong in the Mestalla. He is normally second choice, but due to Geronimo Rulli’s injury he was allowed to take another place between the posts.
However, because Rulli is also busy in a dramatic season, the board acted quickly and strengthened last Tuesday with Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya. The transfer market has been closed for a while, but as Real Sociedad just before the closing time saw star player Inigo Martinez move to Athletic Bilbao, it was allowed to make a transfer. Moya gets the assignment to provide the team with some defensive solidity, because with no less than 47 goals in 25 rounds, the rearguard of La Real is a huge hole cheese all season. On the other hand, the team itself scores well with 47 goals.
PREDICTION: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.48
