Can Betis overcome the away hurdle in the Basque Country?

Nearly three weeks ago, Betis pulled off a surprise coup against the defending champions from Madrid. In the meantime, however, Alaves has squandered the momentum of the home win against Atletico. Before the international break, they suffered a derby defeat against their Basque rivals from Bilbao. For the “Babazorros” from Vitoria-Gasteiz, it was already the sixth defeat in the current season.

So far, the Basque representative has only three points in seven matchdays – Alaves still has to play a catch-up game. Only Getafe started the season worse than Deportivo Alaves. The “Babazorros” now round off the ninth matchday in the Spanish top flight on Monday evening with a home game against Betis Sevilla.

A home win for Alaves against Betis Sevilla currently offers odds of 3.75, while betting on the visitors offers odds of 2.17.

It has been almost five years since Betis Sevilla lost at their upcoming opponents. The last time there was an away defeat against the Basque league rivals was in December 2016, since then Betis have scored four times in a row at Deportivo Alaves – most recently even three times.

Alaves – Statistics & current form

Alaves is currently in free fall. Apart from the surprise coup against Atletico Madrid, there has not been much to cheer about for the “Babazorros” so far, with six defeats in the first seven matchdays of the current season. Before the international break, the team at the bottom of the table even lost the Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao.

Once again, Deportivo Alaves failed to score. Head coach Javier Calleja’s team has scored only two goals so far this season, making it the weakest offensive team in the Spanish top flight. The victory against the reigning champions from Madrid was therefore all the more surprising, especially as Atletico are known to have the most stable defence in La Liga.

One of the few bright spots in the attacking department is Joselu. The 31-year-old was the most prolific player in the Deportivo Alaves ranks last season. In total, Joselu scored eleven goals in 2020/21 and also recorded three assists. Nevertheless, head coach Calleja has so far mainly relied on Sylla up front. Joselu, on the other hand, has only been used as a wild card.

Will the home strength be underlined against Betis?

At home, the Basques will be looking to get back on track after the international break. Although Betis have not been among the “Babazorros'” favourite opponents in the past, it is definitely an advantage for Alaves to play the Monday match at their own stadium. Last season, the last but one team in the table from the Basque Country won more than half of all points at the Estadio Mendizorrotza.

Compared to the previous seasons, when Alaves were able to convince with a defensive bulwark, in the last few years it was mainly the back line that was shaky. This season was no exception, with the Basque side scoring twelve times. Against the Betis attack, it will probably only be a matter of time before the first goal is conceded on Monday evening.

Calleja will at least be spared any personnel worries against Monday’s opponents from Andalusia. The 43-year-old will be able to draw from a full complement for the home match against Betis. Although Alaves recently lost the derby against Bilbao, no major changes are expected in the starting eleven after the promising performance against the seventh-placed team in La Liga.

Predicted Alaves line-up:
Pacheco – Aguirregabiria, Navarro, Laguardia, Miazga, Duarte – Fuente, Moya, Loum, Rioja – Joselu

Last matches played by Alaves:

Betis Sevilla – Statistics & current form

In contrast to Monday’s opponents from the Basque Country, Betis Sevilla have been one of the positive surprises in the Spanish top flight so far. The Andalusians have made a strong start to the season and have so far only suffered defeats against Real Madrid and Villarreal. The latter came before the international break.

Betis thus missed a great opportunity to take one of the four direct starting places for the top flight. Nevertheless, there is no reason to be disgruntled for the time being due to the current points tally and the close constellation in the table. Already on Monday evening there is the chance to make amends.

Alaves has been one of the Andalusians’ favourite opponents in recent years. Since April 2017, Betis have lost only one competitive match against their upcoming opponents from the Basque country. Last season, the “Verdiblancos” from Sevilla even beat Deportivo Alaves in the first and second legs.

Will the third win in a row against Alaves?

Betis have scored four times in a row away from home against Alaves. It is quite possible that the series will continue this season. Before the away defeat against Villarreal, head coach Manuel Pellegrini’s team celebrated three away victories in a row, in which the “Verdiblancos” scored a total of eight goals.

Betis have also only lost two away games this season. As in the last season, the Andalusians are also one of the strongest away teams in La Liga this season. Therefore, the odds for an away win in Alaves vs. Betis Sevilla include value. In case of success, the stake can be more than doubled.

Manuel Pellegrini will only have to do without Youssouf Sabaly and Victor Ruiz for the away match against Deportivo Alaves due to injury. There are no other absentees in the ranks of the “Verdiblancos”.

Predicted line-up of Betis Sevilla:
Silva – Bellerin, Pezzella, Gonzalez, Miranda – Rodriguez, Carvalho – Ruibal, Canales, Fekir – Willian Jose

Last matches played by Betis Sevilla:

Alaves – Betis Sevilla Direct comparison / H2H balance

Competitively, this will be the 33rd match between the two clubs. Betis lead the direct comparison against Alavés with a record of 15-7-10. Two of the 15 victories, as previously mentioned, came in the course of last season. For the first time, the “Verdiblancos” from Sevilla are now aiming for three wins in a row against the Basque club.

The last time Betis Sevilla won two away matches in a row at CD Alavés was almost 18 years ago. Since then, a win has been followed by either a defeat or a draw. If the two clubs share the points on Monday night, Alaves vs Betis Sevilla betting odds of 3.40 will pay out on the draw.

Alaves – Betis Sevilla betting odds

Alaves is one of the narrow group of potential relegation candidates this season. Although the Basques celebrated a surprising home victory over Atletico Madrid three weeks ago, the result should not be overrated with regard to the rest of the first leg. The “Babazorros” are still in a crisis of form.

Neither in offensive nor in defensive play has the second-last team in La Liga been convincing so far. Statistically, Alaves even have the weakest attacking unit, and with twelve goals conceded in seven matchdays, they also have one of the most vulnerable defences in the Spanish top flight.

Because Alaves have shown a slight upward trend in their last two competitive games, we tend to rule out an offensive spectacle from Betis on Monday night. Nevertheless, we see the guests from Andalusia as favourites, just like the bookmakers, and therefore consider bets on Betis on the 1X2 market to be without alternative.

With a stake of four units, our tip for Alaves vs. Betis Sevilla is on the visitors at good odds.