Duell auf Augenhöhe im Benito Villamarin Stadion
Spanish football has already awoken from its early winter break with the second round of the Copa del Rey. In the last days of 2022, La Liga also picks up again. The 15th matchday is scheduled between Thursday and Saturday. The top match in the table will be played on Thursday in Andalusia. At the Benito Villamarin Stadium, Betis Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao are an open bet on the three-way market and the bookmakers are offering almost identical betting odds.
The green-whites from Sevilla are currently in sixth place in the current LaLiga table. The reigning Copa del Rey winner has 24 points on the credit side and thus the same number as the guests from the Basque country. The traditional club from Bilbao is currently in fourth place thanks to the better goal difference. Two teams that are definitely candidates for the top half of the table, but in the battle for the top division, these two teams were not necessarily to be expected. With a lot of self-confidence, a strong autumn should now be crowned.
In the three-way market, it is indeed difficult to make a prediction between Betis Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao, as there are arguments for both the home side and the visitors. Arguments for our selected top tips can be found later in the article. The match kicks off on Thursday evening at 19:15.
Betis Sevilla – Statistics & current form
The last time Betis Sevilla had a coach with a better points average than the current Chilean head coach Manuel Pellegrini was in the spring of 2010. More than ten years ago, Victor Fernandez worked for the Andalusians and collected an average of 1.95 points in 21 games. Pellegrini currently “only” scores 1.81 points per game, but he has achieved this average after 119 competitive games. With the Copa del Rey win this summer, he also brought silverware to Andalusia.
Bearish home record for Betis Sevilla
The 24 points after 14 matchdays this season is the identical haul for Betis Sevilla as last season. Since the 2011/12 season, the Green-Whites have only managed to exceed this yield once (25 points in the 2012/13 season). The Andalusians were able to lay the foundation for their very strong season so far at home in the Benito Villamarin Stadium, as the team achieved 16 of a possible 21 points in the seven home games so far. In addition to five home wins, the only losses were against Atletico Madrid (1-2 defeat) and in the derby against city rivals FC Sevilla (1-1 draw).
In view of these very strong numbers in front of the home fans, the prediction at “Draw No Bet 1” between Betis Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao seems quite lucrative. Slight advantages can certainly be seen with the hosts thanks to this home strength. With the exception of winger Juanmi (injured) and centre-back Edgar Gonzalez (suspended), Manuel Pellegrini can draw from the full squad on Thursday evening. Once again, hopes rest on top striker Borja Iglesias, who has already scored eight goals this season and is Betis’ most prolific scorer.
Predicted line-up of Betis Sevilla:
Silva – Moreno, Ruiz, Pezzella, Sabaly – Rodriguez, Carvalho – Cruz, Canales, Luiz Henrique – Iglesias
Last matches played by Betis Sevilla:
Friendly club matches
23/12/2022 – Real Betis 0 – 3 Atalanta Bergamo
17/12/2022 – Real Betis 1 – 1 Inter Milan
10/12/2022 – Real Betis 1 – 0 Manchester United
20/11/2022 – Colo Colo 1 – 0 Real Betis
17/11/2022 – Colo Colo 5 – 0 Real Betis
Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form
It’s an old shoe by now, but Athletic Bilbao’s performances, results and consistency are absolutely impressive. The traditional Basque club is one of the founding members of the Spanish LaLiga and has never been relegated in 84 years. Bilbao not only regularly stays in the league, but has also been allowed to breathe international air time and again. A return to European competition is also the big goal under head coach Ernesto Valverde.
Away a guarantor for goal festivals
Similar to Betis Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao’s season so far has been their best in many, many years. 24 points after 14 games has also only been surpassed by the Basques once in the last decade. In 2013/14, the team finished the season in fourth place with 26 points. That is exactly where the team is now, thanks in particular to a very strong offensive.
Only the two major powers FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have scored more goals than Valverde’s charges this season. The Basques have already scored a total of 24 times this season, making for some high-scoring games. Especially in away games, bets on many goals are an absolute must. In six matches away from home (average 2-2-2 record), there have been no less than 22 goals, which results in an average of 3.67 goals per away match. In view of these statistics, the odds for the bet “Over 2.5” between Betis Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao are very interesting. Especially since more than double the stake is tempting.
In contrast to Betis Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao have already made their first appearance after the World Cup break and struggled to a narrow 1-0 win against fourth-division club Sestao River (who are the clear leaders there).
Predicted line-up of Athletic Bilbao:
Simon – Lekue, Vivian, Alvarez, de Marcos – Vesga – I. Williams, Sancet, Herrera, N. Williams – Guruzeta
Last matches played by Athletic Bilbao:
Copa del Rey
21/12/2022 – Sestao 0 – 1 Athletic Bilbao
Club friendlies
18/12/2022 – Udinese 0 – 1 Athletic Bilbao
16/12/2022 – Athletic Bilbao 3 – 0 Burgos CF
12/12/2022 – Athletic Bilbao 2 – 0 CD Guadalajara
06/12/2022 – Athletic Bilbao 2 – 0 Real Valladolid
Betis Sevilla – Athletic Bilbao Direct comparison / H2H record
A look at the database shows that between Betis Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao the prediction on the home side seems very promising. The last time the respective guest celebrated an away win in this duel was in the 2017/18 season. Since the Basques’ 2-0 win in Andalusia, there have been nine consecutive points for the hosts. Last season, the home side celebrated narrow victories by a one-goal margin on each occasion.
Betis Sevilla – Athletic Bilbao Tip
Only goal difference separates the two teams in the current LaLiga table. Accordingly, odds are offered at the same level between Betis Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao. Given the existing home strength of the Andalusian home side, it is a little surprising that at least a slight favourite role is not pinned on the Green-Whites. Accordingly, the “DNB1” bet certainly has its appeal.
The best betting option in the top match of the 15th LaLiga matchday between Betis Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao is to bet on at least three goals. The Basques guarantee a lot of goals this season, especially in away games, so it is all the more surprising that this bet attracts more than double the stake. Betis Sevilla also have enough offensive power in their own ranks thanks to top scorer Borja Iglesias. The probability of three goals is higher than the odds suggest – five units are used as the stake for this bet.
