Does Betis deliver the coup de grace to stumbling Elche CF?
Elche CF are on course for the second division. Staying in the league will be difficult for the stumbling bottom team this season. The “Franjiverdes” have not even cracked the ten-point mark after 22 matchdays, so a comeback in the second round of La Liga 2022/23 would be all the more surprising.
Lately, the bottom team in the Spanish top flight lost two league games in a row and conceded five goals. It is quite possible that Elche CF’s negative streak will continue this week. In the upcoming league clash between Elche vs. Betis Sevilla, betting on the next defeat of the “Franjiverdes” is obvious.
Betis Sevilla are the fifth strongest team in the Spanish top flight and are still fighting for a place in the top flight. In the last two league games, Betis celebrated two wins in a row and thus compensated for the bitter home defeat against Celta Vigo. If the recent momentum is carried over, the next three points at Elche CF are likely to be on the cards.
In the first leg of the league clash between Elche and Betis Sevilla, it paid to bet on the Andalusian representative. Betis beat Elche CF 3-0 in front of their home crowd in their first match of the season. A similar result cannot be ruled out for the second-round match.
Elche – Statistics & current form
Elche CF will probably say goodbye to La Liga again after three seasons in the Spanish top flight. At least that is the interim conclusion after a weak first half of the season, which Elche CF ended in last place with less than ten points on their account. The negative trend from the first half of the season continued at the start of the second half.
The “Franjiverdes” have lost two of their last three league games. After a surprise coup against Villarreal (3:1), Elche CF lost at Real Madrid (0:4) and the home match against Espanyol (0:1). The negative streak is likely to continue against Betis, especially as Elche CF were already shown up by their Andalusian league rivals in the first half of the season (0:3).
It also remains to be seen whether the recent goal drought – Elche CF have failed to score in their last two league games – will continue. Against Espanyol, the La Liga bottom side had an xG value of 1.74. Nevertheless, head coach Pablo Machín’s side failed to score.
Weakest offence in the league
When you consider how weak Elche CF’s offense has been throughout the season, the result was not at all surprising. Statistically speaking, the “Franjiverdes” have the weakest attacking department in the Spanish top flight with only 15 goals in 22 match days. One of the few bright spots in the Elche CF attack is Pere Milla with six goals to his name.
Since the 3:1 against Villarreal, in which Milla scored all three goals for the “Franjiverdes”, the veteran has been missing with a broken collarbone. Milla will again miss out against Betis. In his absence, head coach Machín is expected to rely on Fidel again.
In addition, Elche CF will also miss Friday’s match due to injuries to players such as Kollado and Nwankwo. Carmona will also miss the match after being sent off against Espanyol. Although Elche FC lost their most recent league match against the Catalans, the “Franjiverdes” did not put in a bad performance. A similar starting eleven is therefore obvious against Betis as well.
Last games of Elche:
La Liga
19/02/2023 – Elche 0 – 1 Espanyol
16/02/2023 – Real Madrid 4 – 0 Elche
04/02/2023 – Elche 3 – 1 FC Villarreal
29/01/2023 – Sevilla FC 3 – 0 Elche
22/01/2023 – Elche 1 – 1 Osasuna Pamplona
Betis Sevilla – Statistics & current form
The “Verdiblancos” from Sevilla are still breathing down the necks of the fourth-placed team from Madrid. In the last two league games, however, the gap of four points remained unchanged, so Betis is still under pressure to win in the upcoming league game against Elche CF. In case of success, the gap to Atlético will shrink to one point for the time being.
Betis recently won against clubs like Almeria (3:2) and Real Valladolid (2:1). If the Green-Whites also win the match against Friday’s opponents, it will be the sixth away win for Betis this league season. Furthermore, betting odds of 2.00 on Elche vs. Betis Sevilla are also paid out for a bet on the Andalusian guests.
If you take a look at the H2h between the two clubs, a point win for Betis is obvious anyway. The “Verdiblancos” have only lost one of their last six competitive matches against Elche CF. On the other hand, the Andalusians have won a total of three of their last six encounters with their upcoming opponents.
Will Betis flex their offensive muscles again?
In the last few league games, Betis’ offensive engine in particular has been running hot. After all, the Andalusians scored eight goals in the last three competitive games. Therefore, an offensive spectacle cannot be ruled out against the upcoming opponents, especially since Betis already scored three goals in the first season duel against Elche CF.
Head coach Pellegrini has far fewer personnel worries than in previous weeks. It therefore remains to be seen with which starting eleven the Chilean will approach Friday’s match in La Liga. Borja Iglesias may also be available again. The top scorer of the “Verdiblancos” had taken a break against Valladolid.
Against Elche CF, however, the veteran should be back in action. With nine goals and three assists, Iglesias is the most dangerous offensive player in the ranks of the Green-Whites. Iglesias scored a goal against Elche CF in the first half of the season – a good omen ahead of Friday’s match?
Last games of Betis Sevilla:
La Liga
18/02/2023 – Real Betis 2 – 1 Real Valladolid
11/02/2023 – Almeria 2 – 3 Real Betis
05/02/2023 – Real Betis 3 – 4 Celta Vigo
02/02/2023 – Real Betis 1 – 2 FC Barcelona
29/01/2023 – Getafe 0 – 1 Real Betis
Elche – Betis Sevilla Direct comparison / H2H balance
This is the 52nd time these two clubs have met. Betis Sevilla currently lead the direct comparison against Elche CF with a record of 20-16-15. The Green-Whites have won three of the last six league encounters against the “Franjiverdes”, including the 3-0 victory in the first leg of the current season.
This is the third time in the last five league encounters that a bet on over 2.5 goals has paid off in the Elche vs Betis Sevilla match. Whether the three-goal mark will be broken again remains to be seen, however, especially since Elche CF lack the necessary offensive power.
Elche – Betis Sevilla tip
Betis Sevilla are still fighting for a starting place in the top flight next season. With that in mind, each of the remaining 16 league games has the character of an endgame for the Andalusian representatives, especially since the gap to Atlético Madrid is already four points. In order to close the gap, the next crucial league match will be played on Friday evening.
Betis Sevilla should not have too much trouble against Elche CF. Friday’s opponents of the “Verdiblancos” are currently in last place and are heading for the second division. After two defeats in a row, Elche CF’s hopes of a comeback in the relegation battle have also dwindled recently.
It’s quite possible that Elche CF’s recent run of failures will continue on Friday night. Like the bookmakers, we see the Andalusian guests as favourites and give our predictions on Elche vs. Betis Sevilla at reasonable odds on a win for the Green-Whites. We are using six out of a possible ten units for this.
