Preview: Valencia vs Real Betis - prediction, team news, lineups

Returning to the Mestalla for their second successive home fixture, Valencia look to claim their first win of the 2026-27 LaLiga season when Real Betis come to town on Tuesday evening.

Carlos Corberan’s side were held to a goalless draw on the opening day and will be eager to convert their chances this time around, while Manuel Pellegrini’s men arrive having claimed a winning start and will be targeting back-to-back victories on the road.

Match preview

Valencia opened their LaLiga campaign with a goalless draw against Celta de Vigo on Saturday - a result that, while not disastrous, was frustrating given the number of clear chances Corberan’s side failed to convert.

That result followed a pre-season in which Valencia failed to win their last three matches, and with questions still to be answered about their sharpness in front of goal, Tuesday’s home fixture represents an early opportunity to set the tone for the campaign.

Last season, Valencia recorded 13 wins, 10 draws and 15 defeats from their 38 league matches, finishing ninth on 49 points, and with Los Che ending the campaign just two points off a European spot, there is genuine belief within the club that a push for continental football is within reach this season.

The Mestalla has been a difficult place to visit for Tuesday’s visitors, with Valencia winning eight of their last 15 home league matches against the Andalusians and losing only four.

Real Betis, meanwhile, made an impressive start to the new campaign, claiming a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad at the Estadio de La Cartuja on Friday courtesy of a Rodrigo Riquelme goal in the 63rd minute.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side will now make their first away trip of the season on the back of that winning start, and with Champions League football secured last season after finishing fifth, Betis will be targeting another strong league campaign and a top-five finish at minimum.

The Andalusians have been active in the transfer market this summer, completing the signings of Facundo Bernal, Fran Garcia and Troy Parrott, the Republic of Ireland striker arriving from AZ Alkmaar to bolster their attacking options.

In the last five meetings between the two sides, Betis have won two compared to one victory for Valencia, with two matches ending in draws.

Valencia La Liga form:

Real Betis La Liga form:

Team News

Sergi Canos remains absent for Valencia after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in April, and the winger will play no part in Tuesday’s fixture.

Alberto Mari, Jose Copete and Diego Lopez also remain sidelined through injury.

Justin De Haas, who made his debut against Celta de Vigo, was withdrawn at half time after picking up an early booking and sustaining an injury, and the defender is expected to miss at least one week.

Luis Rioja has returned to training and could factor into Corberan’s thinking, while Dimitri Foulquier continues his individual recovery and is not expected to feature.

For Betis, Diego Conde and Aitor Ruibal are both ruled out through shoulder and meniscus injuries respectively, while Ismael Barea continues his recovery from an ACL injury.

Giovanni Lo Celso continues to be sidelined with a muscle complaint, and Gonzalo Petit is also unavailable with a thigh problem, while Abde Ezzalzouli misses out with a knee injury.

Fran Garcia and Facundo Bernal both made their debuts against Real Sociedad and are expected to keep their places, while Troy Parrott could make his first appearance for the club from the bench.

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Dimitrievski; Vazquez, Tarrega, Diakhaby, Gaya; Ugrinic, Guerra, Rodriguez; Pepelu; Sato, Umar

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Valles; Garcia, Natan, Bartra, Bellerin; Roca, Bernal, Fornals; Riquelme, Hernandez, Antony

We say: Valencia 1-1 Real Betis

Betis have lost just once in their last five meetings with Valencia, and little about the hosts’ opening-day display suggests that run is about to end.

Corberan’s side created but could not finish against Celta de Vigo, and a Betis backline will be difficult to break down for a Valencia side still searching for their scoring touch, so a draw looks the most likely outcome on Tuesday evening.

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