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Real Betis have quickly become accustomed to playing their home games at the Estadio de La Cartuja, while their home ground, the Estadio Benito Villamarin, undergoes renovations.
Betis have been quite cozy in their new home, as they have hardly put a foot wrong, but that will be challenged once again when Espanyol visit this Saturday, April 4, in their La Liga clash.
The visitors are stuck in a rut of poor form and will be eager to get themselves out for the final stretch of the league season, in the hope that aim for a top-six finish, which is only four points away.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for Real Betis vs Espanyol, and make sure to check out today's betting tips page for more of our free expert La Liga predictions.
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Real Betis vs Espanyol key stats
- Real Betis are undefeated in their previous six consecutive league matches in their temporary home.
- The visitors have not won any of their last dozen La Liga fixtures.
- The hosts have got the better of Espanyol in each of their last four head-to-heads.
Real Betis vs Espanyol preview: Hosts to consolidate European place
| Real Betis | vs | Espanyol |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | Position | 11th |
| 44 | Points | 37 |
| 44 | Goals For | 36 |
| 37 | Goals Against | 44 |
| 8 | Clean Sheets | 7 |
| 7th | Home Rank | 12th |
| 6th | Away Rank | 8th |
With only nine league games remaining in the season, Champions League qualification may be a touch beyond the home side's reach, as they are 13 points behind Atletico Madrid, who currently occupy that final spot.
However, Manuel Pellegrini's charges are in control of Europa League qualification, and they have a three-point lead over Celta Vigo in sixth, highlighting the need for them to overturn their recent slump in form.
Betis conceded 24% of their league goals inside the first 15 minutes.
Los Verdiblancos were beaten in the game before the international break, making it three defeats in their most recent five games in all competitions, and five games without a win in La Liga.
Betis also have a small matter of the Europa League quarter-final against Braga to worry about next week, which Pellegrini will target as the competition that they can realistically win.
It is great news for the hosts that they are returning home for this one, as only three defeats here in the league all season are indicative of their strength in their backyard.
Beating Betis will require a small miracle from the travelling party, as they are winless in a dozen league matches, with their most recent five fixtures delivering three defeats and two draws.
Espanyol have scored at least once in each of their last nine La Liga matches.
Considering the last eight league games, the Parakeets are ranked bottom of the league, collecting only three points in that run of games, and their record away from home this season does not make for great reading.
Manolo Gonzalez will have to inspire his troops using another method rather than pointing to the past, as the last four meetings between the clubs were won by Betis.
Espanyol's previous triumph over the hosts away from their home base arrived back in 2016, six months short of 10 years, which means chances of them overturning Betis here are unlikely.
Real Betis vs Espanyol form guide & betting tips
| Real Betis | vs | Espanyol |
|---|---|---|
| D-D-L-D-L | League Form | L-D-D-L-L |
| 3 | Points | 2 |
| 19th | Form Table | 20th |
| 5 | Goals For | 7 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 11 |
| L-L-D-W-L | Form (all comps) | L-D-D-L-L |
Whispers predicts: Real Betis 2-1 Espanyol
Based on past results, Real Betis should be good enough to get over the line here to make it five wins in a row against this opposition, which is why a home win at 1.72 is the logical choice.
However, with the spot that the hosts have been in lately, it will not be a bad idea to explore a draw, especially with the odds coming in at 4.00.
A more realistic bet is seeing both teams score at 1.80, considering Betis have scored in 90% of their league matches this term, but are conceding an average of 1.14 goals in their backyard.
The home team's top scorer in La Liga this season is Cucho Hernandez, who has eight goals to his name, but he has been going a slight drought in recent months, with his last goal coming in January before suffering an injury.
Backing Hernandez to score at 2.20 is great value, and when you take into account that he was on target against Espanyol in the reverse fixture, the Colombian forward is worth backing.
Alternatively, Antony also offers great value at 2.50 to score this weekend, and with seven La Liga goals to his name, he is a suitable candidate to get behind.
> 1x2 - Real Betis at 1.72 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS - Yes at 1.80 | Likelihood: Probable
> 1x2 - Draw at 4.00| Likelihood: Long shot
> Anytime goalscorer - Cucho Hernandez at 2.20 | Likelihood: Possible
> Anytime goalscorer - Antony at 2.50 | Likelihood: Possible