Betis host Catalans at home
During the week, the round of 16 matches were played in the Spanish King’s Cup. Two teams for whom the Copa del Rey journey ended will face each other on Saturday afternoon hoping to make amends
The bookmakers see a completely even match and offer almost identical betting odds on the home and away win in the match between Espanyol Barcelona and Betis Sevilla. The visitors from Andalusia have eleven points more to show than the home side, despite having a game in hand to catch up on.
The Catalans are in a seemingly good 14th place in the table, but appearances are deceptive, as the lead over the first relegation place is just one meagre point. The visitors, still reigning Copa del Rey winners, are in sixth place and may even be flirting with the Champions League places.
At first glance, therefore, the prediction of an away win between Espanyol Barcelona and Betis Sevilla seems to offer great value. This article will take a comprehensive look at the match in order to find a basis for a suitable bet.
Espanyol Barcelona – Statistics & current form
An intense programme awaits the fans of Spanish football in the coming weeks and months. More than half of the season is still to be completed and in many areas of the table the tension is enormous. This is especially true of the relegation battle, as almost half of the league has to tremble to stay in LaLiga. There are just four meagre points between 12th and 19th in the table.
Only one home win for Espanyol Barcelona
Although head coach Diego Martinez’s side have only managed a meagre three wins this season, Espanyol Barcelona are currently above the ominous line. Only six defeats in 17 games is the lowest figure of all teams in the relegation maelstrom. However, the many points divisions leave Espanyol treading water.
A look at the results at home is particularly alarming. On the one hand, there is a dismal picture with an average stadium occupancy of just under 50 percent, on the other hand, the results are also sobering. Only one home match (against Real Valladolid) was won, and Espanyol also suffered four of their six defeats this season at home. In the duel between Espanyol Barcelona and Betis Sevilla, betting on the home side does not have much appeal with these figures and is not recommended.
Predicted line-up of Espanyol Barcelona:
Fernandez – Calero, Cabrera, Montes – Gil, Souza, Darder, Vidal – Puado, Joselu, Braithwaite
Last matches played by Espanyol Barcelona:
Copa del Rey
19/01/2023 – Athletic Bilbao 1 – 0 Espanyol
La Liga
15/01/2023 – Getafe 1 – 2 Espanyol
08/01/2023 – Espanyol 2 – 2 Girona
Copa del Rey
04/01/2023 – Espanyol 3 – 1 Celta Vigo
La Liga
31/12/2022 – FC Barcelona 1 – 1 Espanyol
Betis Sevilla – Statistics & current form
The team of head coach Manuel Pellegrini had to play two intense games in the last few days. First of all, the Supercopa was on the agenda, in which Betis saved themselves with a fantastic performance against FC Barcelona in the penalty shootout, but lost there with 4:6.
On Wednesday evening, another 120 minutes were on the agenda, as the Copa del Rey against CA Osasuna went the full distance. The Andalusians experienced a deja vu, because against the team from Pamplona the nerves also failed from the point. Once again, Betis lost 4:6 in a penalty shoot-out.
Form curve points downwards
The headline is not only chosen because of these two results in the cup competitions, but for quite some time now Betis Sevilla have not been getting consistently strong results. After five wins from the first six league games (defeat against Real Madrid), there was a lot of sand in the gears. In the last ten league games, the Pellegrini eleven could only enjoy three more victories. The team has slipped a little in the table, but is still in contact with the Champions League starting positions.
Qualitatively, the visitors’ squad is at least one step above Espanyol Barcelona. After two 120-minute matches, however, the fitness question has to be asked. Nevertheless, between Espanyol Barcelona and Betis Sevilla, the betting odds for betting on the visitors seem too high. With an eleven-point difference and a disastrous home record, one cannot speak of a match without favourites.
Another interesting option for Betis away games are bets on the under 2.5. In the eight away games so far, just 15 goals have been scored (goal ratio 7:8, average 1.88 goals per game). A maximum of two goals in this duel is therefore also listed as a top tip.
Predicted line-up of Betis Sevilla:
Rui Silva – Moreno, Gonzalez, Pezzella, Ruibal – Carvalho, Guardado – Canales, Fekir, Luiz Henrique – Borja Iglesias
Last matches played by Betis Sevilla:
Copa del Rey
19/01/2023 – Real Betis (2)2 – 2(4) Osasuna Pamplona
Super Cup
13/01/2023 – Real Betis (2)2 – 2(4) FC Barcelona
La Liga
08/01/2023 – Rayo Vallecano 1 – 2 Real Betis
Copa del Rey
05/01/2023 – Ibiza Islas Pitiusas 1 – 4 Real Betis
La Liga
30/12/2022 – Real Betis 0 – 0 Athletic Bilbao
Espanyol Barcelona – Betis Sevilla Direct comparison / H2H record
The long-standing direct comparison underlines the bookmakers’ assessment that this is a duel of equals. After 108 games in the Spanish top flight, Espanyol have a razor-thin lead with 40 wins compared to 35 defeats. In view of the recent clashes, however, the lead is steadily dwindling.
In the last seven direct games between Espanyol Barcelona and Betis Sevilla, betting on the Catalans was the wrong decision. Betis have gone seven games without defeat, celebrating four wins and three draws. Last year, Pellegrini’s side even won 4-1 at Espanyol Barcelona.
Espanyol Barcelona – Betis Sevilla Tip
The first gut feeling recommends the prediction on the visitors’ victory between Espanyol Barcelona and Betis Sevilla. And even on closer inspection, this bet is recommended with a clear conscience. Placement in the table, basic quality of both teams, the direct comparison and the home weakness of the Catalans underline this bet.
Of course, it has to be mentioned that Betis Sevilla’s performances were stronger at the beginning of the season, but the value is still clear when betting on an away win. Odds in the 2.30-2.40 range would have been expected given all the surrounding circumstances. Therefore, a bet of five units is recommended between Espanyol Barcelona and Betis Sevilla on the away win. Due to the previous Betis away games, the Under 2.5 or the bet “Both teams score? No” are also an exciting option.
