/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F08%2FManuel-Pellegrini-Real-Betis-Zuma.jpg)
Sparks will fly as Villarreal and Real Betis lock horns in the fifth round of La Liga at Estadio de la Ceramica on Monday.
The hosts have had a disappointing run of results and will set their sights on securing their first win in all competitions this season.
Real Betis, meanwhile, are eyeing a third consecutive win.
Read our Villarreal vs Real Betis prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Villarreal vs Real Betis key stats
- Villarreal have lost three matches in a row.
- Real Betis opened the scoring in seven of the last eight H2Hs.
- Five of the last six encounters between these teams went above the 2.5-goal margin.
Villarreal vs Real Betis preview: Can the hosts stop the rot?
Villarreal vs Real Betis — Tale of the Tape
| Villarreal | vs | Real Betis |
|---|---|---|
| 17th | Position | 5th |
| 2 | Points | 9 |
| 6 | Goals For | 5 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
| 18th | Home / Away Rank | 9th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Villarreal's struggles continued with a 3-2 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in their UEFA Champions League opener.
The Yellow Submarine have now lost three games in a row and are without a win in five competitive fixtures this season, which is concerning since they scored at least two goals in four of them.
No team has kept more clean sheets than Real Betis in La Liga this season.
With only two points earned from four La Liga outings so far, Inigo Perez's men are 17th in the Spanish top flight, just above the relegation zone at the time of writing.
It is worth mentioning that four of Villarreal's five competitive fixtures have been on the road, so this will be their second home game of the campaign.
Juan Foyth has missed the last two games due to a muscular injury and is expected to be unavailable for this match, while Carlos Romero will need a final assessment to ascertain his availability.
On the other hand, Real Betis kicked off their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 win at Lille. Despite trailing twice, the Andalusian side battled back to take the victory, with Marc Bartra standing out by scoring a brace.
The former Barcelona defender has now found the net three times in his last three appearances and is expected to start on Monday night.
Only two teams have averaged more corners than Villarreal in the Spanish top flight this term.
Manuel Pellegrini's troops have won four of their five competitive matches this season, capped by a 1-0 win against Real Madrid in their last La Liga outing.
Sitting on nine points from a possible 12, the visitors will rise to second place with a victory on Monday night.
Aitor Ruibal continues his recovery from a meniscus injury and is the only player ruled out for Real Betis.
Although both teams share a 2-1-2 win-draw-loss record in the last five H2Hs, it is important to note that Real Betis won their last two trips to this stadium and are unbeaten in their last four visits (W2, D2).
Villarreal vs Real Betis form guide & betting tips
| Villarreal | vs | Real Betis |
|---|---|---|
D
D
L
L
|
La Liga Form |
W
W
L
W
|
| 2 | Points | 9 |
| 17th | Form Table | 5th |
| 6 | Goals For | 5 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 5 |
D
D
L
L
L
|
Form (All Comps) |
W
W
L
W
W
|
Whispers Predicts: Villarreal 2-3 Real Betis
Priced at 1/1 (2.00), Villarreal are considered favourites by the bookmakers ahead of this skirmish, despite their recent shortcomings.
These teams are on opposite sides in terms of recent form, and with Betis having won two of their last three visits to the Ceramica Stadium, we are confident that the visitors will claim all the spoils here.
Interestingly, Villarreal have managed to both score and concede at least two goals in four of their five matches this season, so over 3.5 total goals at 27/20 (2.35) should be worth a punt.
We also fancy a 2-3 correct score at 29/1 (30.00). Villarreal have lost back-to-back games by the same scoreline, while Real Betis are coming off a 3-2 win.
Furthermore, a total of four red cards were awarded in the last five H2Hs, so over 0.5 red cards can be backed at 3/1 (4.00).
> Over 3.5 total goals at 27/20 (2.35) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 11/20 (1.55) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Real Betis at 11/4 (3.75) | Likelihood: Possible
> Real Betis & BTTS – Yes at 19/4 (5.75) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 2-3 at 29/1 (30.00) | Likelihood: Outsider