Betis and Valencia are playing their match of the final, 38th round of the La Liga at Benito Villamarin, home of Real Betis.
Facts
- First match: Valencia - Real Betis 4-2
- Five of their last six duels ended with over 2.5 goals.
- Just one draw in their last six clashes.
- Valencia has won just one of its last six visits to Betis (1-2-3).
- Betis has lost just once in its last eight at home, while Valencia has drawn four of their last eight away games.
Betting Tip: Real Betis - Valencia
Neither team has much to play for here. Both will be rather relaxed, and Betis will, of course, be mindful of their European final coming up. Both are a bit shaky defensively at times, and we expect players to take advantage. Our pick is BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals.
- Prediction: BTTS & Over 2.5
- Odds: 1.87 (at the time of writing)
- Stake: 6
Real Betis
The disappointing 4-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid means Betis will not be able to compete for a spot that leads to next season’s Champions League. They will instead finish 6th and participate in the League Phase of the Europa League.
Atletico clearly were the better side in that game, scoring twice in the first half to take a commanding lead. Fornals was able to pull one back for Betis in the 67th minute with a wonderful finish, but the rest of the game was all Atletico.
Later, there were two more goals for the Madrid side (75 ’ and 90+6’), and that was the third straight game without a win for Betis, and the 10th straight with BTTS. They are the team with the most such games in the league (26/37), while five of their last six have ended with BTTS & Over 3.5 Goals.
Manager Pellegrini acknowledged that his team is clearly affected by the pressure of the upcoming Conference League final against Chelsea. He noted that they need to reclaim their focus and shore up defensive issues that have been creeping up.
The tense argument involving the team captain, Ruibal, indicated the nervous energy around the team. In their last game before the final, they are expected to rotate the squad heavily.
Valencia
Valencia fell 0-1 to Bilbao rather easily, in what was their final home game of the season. They were never particularly threatening, coming up with their first shot on target in the first half stoppage time. They conceded chances rather easily, and Bilbao was able to finally convert in the 72nd minute. It was their second straight scoreless defeat.
The manager acknowledged this was a tough game, but he also expressed his disappointment at his team failing to qualify for European football. The objective of staying in the La Liga was met, and that is something to at least recognise as positive. Manager Corberan explained that the foundations for a better run next season have been set.
They have been performing quite well in their last few away from home, losing just once in seven games, six of them ending with BTTS (a total of 17 such games in 37 contests this season).
Their recent two-game goalless run was the first such instance since December. This was the last game in front of the Valencia crowd for star goalkeeper Mamardashvili, who will be joining Liverpool next season.
