Match for the 2nd round of the La Liga, at La Cartuja, the temporary home of Real Betis.
Facts
- Eight of the last 11 duels between the two at Real Betis ended with over 2.5 goals.
- Betis manager Pellegrini coached Alaves manager Eduardo Coudet at River Plate in 2003. The latter has deemed the former a football father figure of his.
Betting Tip: Betis - Alaves
Betis are starting off their home games of the campaign at La Cartuja, their temporary stadium while their home turf is being renovated. They are the better side and possess a better roster, so we will back them in this one with appealing odds (1.86).
- Prediction: Real Betis to win
- Odds: 1.86 (at the time of writing)
- Stake: 5
Real Betis
The season opener saw Betis show some of the same problems that plagued them last season, ending in a 1-1 draw with promoted side Elche. Betis started off strong and took the lead early thanks to a combo between Ruibal and Riquelme (21’).
They had things under control until the hour mark or so. Still, after that, they afforded Elche the opportunity to gain ground, culminating in the equaliser (81’), when the Betis defence essentially stood and watched their opponents score.
The team was at least able to maintain an unbeaten streak in the opening game of the season, now at six games with Pellegrini at the helm (3-3-0). This season, Betis will play their home games at La Cartuja, while their iconic home, Benito Villamarin, is being renovated. Last season, they scored in all 19 of their home games.
In the meantime, the transfer of talented defender Nobel Mendy to Rangers fell through, as the Scots side did not satisfy Betis’s financial demands. Apart from that, there is still hope regarding Manchester United winger Antony’s return.
Newcomer midfielders Deossa and Isco are still not in game shape, while reliable defender Llorente, veteran midfielder Marc Roca, and the winger Ezzalzouli are all questionable. The team was able to register all the new signings, providing some much-needed depth to the roster.
Alaves
Alaves showed remarkable spirit in their opening win against Levante, starting strongly (2-1). They took control of the game from the get-go, and Toni Martinez scored shortly after the half-hour mark. The team tried to keep the game under control after that, but a momentary lapse in defensive discipline led to an equaliser in the 68th minute.
Despite all that, they did not give up and ramped up the pressure in the final ten minutes to reclaim the lead. Alaves wasted several chances in that span, and the opposing goalkeeper appeared invincible. Their efforts paid off at the end, as defender Tenaglia scored a close-range, stoppage-time winner.
Manager Coudet argued that this win was justified by the team’s performance and expressed his satisfaction with them. There are also rumours of transfer reinforcements, as Granada forward Lucas Boyé is allegedly on his way to Alaves.
No major injury problems for Coudet, who is expected to perhaps rotate one or two players in the starting lineup.
