MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 05:25:51| >> :600:299950:299950:
[monks data]
Real Betis logo
La Liga | Gameweek 31
Apr 21, 2021 at 7pm UK
Estadio Benito Villamarin
Athletic Bilbao logo
Real Betis
0 - 0
Athletic Bilbao

Rodriguez (55'), Guardado (82'), Bravo (88')
Fekir (11')
FT

de Marcos (43'), Nunez (90+5')

Preview: Real Betis vs. Athletic Bilbao - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's La Liga clash between Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Real Betis host Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio Benito Villamarín on Wednesday evening knowing that three points against the Basque side could see them entrench their fifth-place La Liga credentials.

This encounter will be the first league game Athletic have played since their 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey, the team's second final defeat in the space of just two weeks.


Match preview

Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Following months of inconsistency and unpredictability for Betis this season, things have really started to click in recent weeks and Manuel Pellegrini appears to have got his groove back.

Betis have lost just once in their last nine league outings and there's no doubt that Pellegrini will be eyeing up another three points from this most unfortunate Athletic side.

In their 2-2 draw against Valencia last time out, Betis were unlucky not to come away from the tie with all three points, with Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales both finding the back of the net.

Betis are looking up the table and will be desperate to finish the campaign with as many points on the board as possible.

Athletic Bilbao Marcelino pictured in January 2021© Reuters

Athletic boss Marcelino will aim to put his side's Copa del Rey woes behind him as the team approach this tie.

Despite humiliating back-to-back cup final defeats, Athletic still have a lot to celebrate this year and there will be many in Bilbao who will be keen to watch their team get a win under their belt.

Currently 11th in the table, Athletic have lost just one league game in their last ten, winning two and drawing seven. In fact, Marcelino's men have scored just three goals in their last five league fixtures.

After a tough run of fixtures, Marcelino's key performers will no doubt be tired, but the fitness of the likes of Iker Muniain, Inaki Williams and Alex Berenguer will be integral to the side's success this week.

Real Betis La Liga form:
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • D

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • D

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • L



Team News

Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier in action with Real Betis' Cristian Tello in La Liga on October 24, 2020© Reuters

Pellegrini is likely to make a number of changes ahead of this tie in a bid to keep the team fresh and firing on all cylinders.

It is unlikely that, at 39 years of age, Betis veteran Joaquin will start this game, as he did against Valencia, and Borja Iglesias could deputise for him.

Marc Bartra could also be reinstated at the heart of the defence.

Marcelino is also expected to bring in some fresh faces ahead of this tie and the likes of Asier Villalibre, Mikel Vesga and Yuri Berchiche could all feature.

Absentees include Peru Nolaskoain and Oier Zarraga, who are both injured.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Bravo; Emerson, Mandi, Bartra, Moreno; Rodriguez, Canales, Iglesias, Fekir, Tello; Juanmi

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; De Marcos, Alvarez, Martinez, Lekue; Ibai, Vesga, Lopez, Morcillo; Sancet, Villalibre


SM words green background

We say: Real Betis 2-0 Athletic Bilbao

Betis have really upped the ante in recent weeks, and we think Pellegrini's men have the upper hand on Athletic at this point in time. We are going for a 2-0 win with goals from Canales and Fekir.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



ID:443846:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9754:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Real Betis win with a probability of 44.86%. A win for Athletic Bilbao had a probability of 29.02% and a draw had a probability of 26.1%.

The most likely scoreline for a Real Betis win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.12%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.03%) and 2-0 (8.09%). The likeliest Athletic Bilbao win was 0-1 (8.54%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.41%). The actual scoreline of 0-0 was predicted with a 7.7% likelihood.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao

Real Betis
55.0%
Draw
21.7%
Athletic Bilbao
23.3%
60
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Betis attacker Nabil Fekir in action for France in September 2020
Read Next:
Barcelona ahead of Arsenal in race for Nabil Fekir?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!