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Real Betis logo
La Liga | Gameweek 34
May 15, 2023 at 8pm UK
Estadio Benito Villamarín
Rayo Vallecano logo

Betis
3 - 1
Rayo Vallecano

Sabaly (5'), Perez (44'), Iglesias (90+6')
Sabaly (45+1'), Bravo (72'), Pezzella (90+1')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Comesana (52')
Valentin (7'), Mumin (82')

Preview: Real Betis vs. Rayo Vallecano - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Monday's La Liga clash between Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Real Betis will be aiming to move back to within two points of fifth-place Villarreal when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Rayo Vallecano on Monday night.

Manuel Pellegrini's side are currently sixth in the table, four points ahead of seventh-placed Girona, while Rayo occupy 10th position, only two points from a European position in Spain's top flight.


Match preview

Real Betis head coach Manuel Pellegrini on March 9, 2023© Reuters

The top four is almost certainly beyond Real Betis at this stage of the campaign, with the Green and Whites currently sixth in the table, 10 points behind fourth-placed Real Sociedad, but they are in a strong position when it comes to qualifying for next season's Europa League.

Finishing fifth or sixth would see them advance to the group stage of the 2023-24 Europa League, while the team in seventh will go into the Europa Conference League playoff round.

Real Betis are four points ahead of seventh-placed Girona and five behind fifth-placed Villarreal with a game in hand on both sides, and they will be looking for their 16th league victory of the season on Monday night.

Pellegrini's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 success over Athletic Bilbao on May 4, with Willian Jose netting the only goal of the contest in the early stages.

Real Betis have been relatively strong at home this season, picking up 28 points from 16 matches, while they are unbeaten against Rayo in Spain's top flight since April 2014 and recorded a 2-1 victory in the reverse game between the two sides back in January.

Rayo Vallecano coach Andoni Iraola at half time on April 9, 2023© Reuters

Rayo, meanwhile, were also last in action on May 4, recording a 2-1 victory over Real Valladolid, which made it three wins from their last five league matches during a strong run of form.

Los Franjirrojos are currently 10th in the table, but they are only two points behind seventh-placed Girona with a game in hand, so the capital outfit are very much in the race for European football.

Rayo have never finished higher than eighth in Spain's top flight, so they are chasing history this season, and it has been a brilliant campaign for a club who continue to punch above their weight.

Andoni Iraola's side have been impressive on home soil this season, picking up 29 points from 17 matches in front of their own supporters, but they have only won four of their 16 games on their travels.

Rayito still have to travel to Real Madrid before the end of the season, and three of their last five games are away from home, which would play a key role in their battle to secure a top-seven finish.

Real Betis La Liga form:

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:


Team News

Real Betis' Joaquin celebrates a goal against Manchester United on March 9, 2023© Reuters

Real Betis will be missing four players through injury on Monday, with Luiz Felipe, Joaquin, Victor Ruiz and Nabil Fekir on the sidelines.

However, Edgar Gonzalez is available for the hosts after serving a suspension, and the 26-year-old is likely to be handed a starting role in the middle of the defence for this contest.

Head coach Pellegrini would have been pleased with his team's performance against Athletic last time out, so it could be close to the same XI for this match, with Willian Jose set to retain his spot at centre-forward despite pressure from Borja Iglesias.

Rayo, meanwhile, have just one absentee at this moment in time, with experienced forward Radamel Falcao on the sidelines due to a muscular issue.

Florian Lejeune is available after a suspension, and the 31-year-old is set to return in the middle of the defence.

Raul de Tomas was on the scoresheet against Real Valladolid last time out, and he could therefore continue as the centre-forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Alvaro Garcia and Isi Palazon operating in the wide areas.

Sergio Camello also registered after replacing De Tomas off the bench, though, and the Spaniard will also be hoping to be involved from the first whistle on Monday night.


Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Bravo; Sabaly, Pezzella, Gonzalez, Miranda; Rodriguez, Guardado; Canales, Carvalho, Perez; Jose

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, F Garcia; Valentin, Comesana; Palazon, Trejo, A Garcia; De Tomas


SM words green background

We say: Real Betis 2-1 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo have lost four of their last five La Liga games on their travels, while as mentioned, they have not managed to overcome Real Betis in Spain's top flight since April 2014. We are expecting a close game on Monday night but believe that the hosts will be able to navigate their way to all three points.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals 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.Over 1.5:data


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Written by
Matt Law

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Game History

How you voted: Betis vs Rayo Vallecano

Real Betis
81.5%
Draw
12.1%
Rayo Vallecano
6.5%
124
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Real Betis head coach Manuel Pellegrini on March 9, 2023
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Sevilla176471823-522
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe173771114-316
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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