Real Betis hosted Valencia at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera Stadium on Saturday with both sides having the chance to move into fourth position with the three points.
Salva Sevilla handed the home side the lead in largely uneventful first half and it remained that way with Betis resisting a spell of late Valencia pressure.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Good afternoon all! Our first La Liga commentary of the weekend is brought to you from Andalusia as Betis welcome an improving Valencia outfit. In many ways, the home side have been the surprise package in Spain this season.
TEAM NEWS: Arsenal's on-loan striker Joel Campbell starts for the home side. Meanwhile, Roberto Soldado and Juan Bernat start in attack for Valencia.
Teams:
Betis: Adri; Mario, Martinez, Paulao, Nelson; Sevilla, Carlos, Igiebor, Canas; Campbell, Castro
Valencia: Alves; Cissokho, Rami, Pereira, Costa; Gago, Albelda, Viera, Costa; Bernat, Soldado
Let's take a look at how each side have fared in the league thus far. Betis started their campaign with a 5-3 win over Athletic Bilbao, but were then beaten at home by Real Valecano. Back-to-back wins followed against Real Valladolid and Espanyol, before they lost to Athletic Madrid and Malaga.
They returned to winning ways at home to Real Sociedad, but they played out a relatively 0-0 draw with Osasuna in their last league encounter. It would probably be fair to state that their season has gone in spells of good and bad thus far, but they have picked up enough points to solidify a spot in the top half.
Valencia, meanwhile, are much improved after a slow start to the season. They opened their campaign with back-to-back draws against Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna before losing to Barcelona. Victory followed against Celta Vigo, but they were then defeated away to Mallorca.
Three points against Real Zaragoza and Athletic Bilbao were then sandwiched by defeat against Levante. They have also made an encouraging start to their Champions League campaign, picking up two wins from their first three matches.
In terms of the head-to-head record between the two sides. Valencia have won four of the last five meetings, but as mentioned, Betis secured a victory in the corresponding fixture last season. It could be one of those games where the first goal is all-important.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Slightly mild evening in Spain, which should suit the players. Let's hope for some goals!
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Let's get this La Liga encounter underway. Quick full-time from the day's early start - Espanyol and Malaga played out a 0-0 draw.
Here we go then. Valencia get us underway. A quick prediction from me. I am going for a 1-1 draw. Both these teams are well matched on paper.
Decent start from the away side as Costa and Viera link down the left, but the latter's pass is just too long. However, Betis come close with a Campbell effort on the counter.
Soldado has a big role to play for Valencia this afternoon. It appears that he will be supported by Bernat. Meanwhile, the home side have just started to enjoy a period of possession in the early stages.
Valencia are ever so narrow at the moment. Gago twice attempts to feed Soldado outside the box, but Mario and Martinez clear the danger between them. Quite a settled match at the moment.
GOAL! Real Betis 1-0 Valencia (Sevilla)
The home side take the lead as Sevilla converts from just inside the box. But questions will be asked of Diego Alves!
It was a powerful strike from the midfielder, but the keeper might have done better after getting a hand on it. Not that the home supporters will mind. They lead with 10 minutes on the clock.
Another attack from the home side as Canas advances down the right, but Rami is on hand to clear the danger. The pressure is all one-way at the moment.
Big penalty shout from the home side as Campbell is felled in the box by Rami, but the referee waves play on. The home supporters continue to drive their side forward in the early stages.
Decent spell of possession for Valencia at the moment. However, they have so far been unable to find Soldado in advanced areas. You can see why Betis have had success at home this season.
Another Valencia attack breaks down as Cissokho's cross is cut out by Paulao. Not a great deal in terms of chances for either side as we approach 20 minutes. Quite a laboured style from Valencia.
Soldado clearly shows his frustration as he is crowded out once more in the Betis half. Meanwhile, Betis are the team carrying the main attacking threat.
Just the singular shot - the goal - from either side in the opening 22 minutes. That tells you all you need to know about the quality of the attacking. The game needs a spark.
Chance! Opportunity for Betis to make it two as Carlos strikes an effort from outside the box, but it just moved wide of the post. Valencia cannot get out at the moment.
It just is not going Valencia's way at the moment. Viera advances into the box, but he is penalised for handball. It's just a bit of a nothing game with the 30-minute mark approaching.
A mix-up in the Valencia defence so nearly allows Campbell in on goal, but Rami hooks the ball clear before arguing with his goalkeeper. It is so important that they do not fall two behind.
Canas and Castro continue to link for Betis, but chances remain few and far between. A goal either way changes the context of this.
First real half-chance of the match for Soldado as he collects a high ball in the box, but the striker is crowded out at the vital moment. He has been feeding on scraps thus far.
Chance for Valencia to put a cross into the box as Viera is felled out wide. However, Adri comes a long way to punch the danger clear. Better from the away side.
Suddenly the chances are coming for Valencia as Albelda strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always curling wide. It's nice to see a bit of invention.
Half-chance for the home side as Canas dances into the Valencia box, but his effort is straight at Alves. Meanwhile, we have not seen much from the powerful Cissokho for Valencia.
So, five minutes until the interval. The match has just settled into a pattern of both sides exchanging possession in midfield. No chances to report in the past few minutes.
As it stands Betis would move into fourth spot in the La Liga table. However, you would expect Valencia to respond in the second period. Betis continue to dominate possession as we approach the break.
Chance! Glorious opportunity for Betis as Castro collects in the box, but his effort is cleared for a corner. Desperate defending from Valencia as Campbell also strikes wide.
Meanwhile, we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half. Valencia have possession in the final moments.
Real Betis 1-0 Valencia
So there we have it. A strike from Sevilla hands Real Betis a 1-0 lead over Valencia at the interval. In truth, it has been a game of few chances.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Betis have dominated possession with 51%, while they have had five shots to Valencia's two. The away side are yet to register a single shot on target.
We have seen nothing from Soldado - who looks extremely isolated - thus far. It would not surprise me to see Nelson Valdez introduced at the interval. They need some sort of inspiration.
Just a reminder that we have two more La Liga games to bring you this evening. Celta Vigo versus Deportivo and Rayo Vallecano versus Barcelona. Be sure to stay with us for those!
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. Let's hope that there is more action in the second 45.
The referee blows his whistle and we are underway. It appears that Ever Banega has come on for Valencia, confirmation of this will be brought to you as soon as possible.
Banega has indeed come on for Valencia in place of Albelda. Meanwhile, they have started the second period with decent possession of the ball.
Slight break in play at the moment as Cissokho receives some treatment. However, the former Lyon defender appears to be alright to continue.
It's good work from the home side as Campbell drives into the box, but Gago clears the danger. Meanwhile, Castro continues to cause problems with his direct running.
Sighter for Valencia as Banega dances into the penalty area, but he is just crowded out at the vital moment. The match is just starting to open up a little bit.
Valencia are playing the better football as we approach the hour mark, but the final ball has deserted them. There are goals in this game if either team wants them.
Chance! So nearly a second for the home side as Nelson strikes an effort from outside the box, but his strike was always rising. Meanwhile, Campbell fires at Alves from close range.
Chance! Best chance of the match for Valencia as Banega finds the run of Soldado inside the box, but the Spaniard can only fire wide. He usually has those chances for breakfast. Big moment in this match.
Betis cause confusion inside the Valencia box as Campbell fires across goal, but the away side just manage to clear the danger. Meanwhile, it appears that Valencia are preparing to make a change.
Chance for Valencia to have an effort on goal as Soldado is chopped down outside the box. But Banega's strike is pushed wide by Adri.
It's Valencia who are dominating possession at the moment, but Betis remain a threat on the counter. Another half-chance for Soldado, but Adri pushes wide once more.
Meanwhile, change for Valencia as Nelson Valdez replaces Bernat. Soldado was crying out for some support. Now he has some. Little under 25 minutes to play.
The pressure is all coming from Valencia as as we approach the last period in this match. Will Betis regret dropping deeper and deeper? Soldado is just starting to have an influence on the match.
Change for the home side as Campbell is replaced by Jorge Molina. The on-loan Arsenal striker put in a decent shift this evening.
Half-chance for Valencia as Viera strikes from inside the box, but his effort was always rising. The opportunities are coming now, but Betis continue to resist the threat.
The tackles have just started to fly in from both sides. Betis will not mind with their lead in tact, but the frustration from Valencia is starting to show. Betis have possession with 18 remaining.
Chance! It's pinball inside the Betis box as Soldado meets a corner, but the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, change for the home side as Nono replaces Sevilla.
You just get the feeling that there is going to be another big chance in this match. Valencia are threatening, but Betis have pace on the counter. As it stands, the home side are moving into fourth spot.
End-to-end stuff at the moment with both sides looking for the goal that would change the match. However, Valencia continue to give away free kicks among their frustration.
Little under 10 minutes of normal time remaining and Betis still lead. As before, Valencia are dominating possession, but their final ball is just not there as their frustration continues to grow.
Half-chance for Betis as Castro meets a low cross inside the box, but his header is over the crossbar. Is there one big chance left in this match?
It is as clear as day to see what Valencia are missing - Jonas. They are missing that player to probe behind Soldado. Betis have been comfortable in defending the danger thus far. Little over five remaining.
Meanwhile, change for the away side as Guardado replaces Costa. They are going to have one last big push for a point.
Change for Betis as Carlos is replaced by Nacho. They are now parking the bus, but it is inviting Valencia on. It is a very dangerous game to play.
Chance! There's the chance. It falls to Soldado as he advances into the area, but once more his effort is wide of the post. I am not sure if he will get another one like that.
Betis threaten with two free kicks, but Valencia hold strong to clear the danger. But the ball is not where they will want it with added time approaching.
The referee indicates that we will play four minutes of added time. Wow. That is plenty of time for either team to score again.
Valencia's frustration continues as Banega plays it straight out of play for a Betis throw. The match appears to be over, but we still have one minute of football remaining.
Real Betis 1-0 Valencia
So there we have it. A first-half strike from Sevilla is enough to hand Betis all three points against Valencia. The result moves them into fourth spot, while Valencia remain ninth.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for coverage of Celta Vigo versus Deportivo. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
