Real Madrid vs Real Betis
After a week of some considerable turmoil in European football, Real Madrid turn their attention away from the failed Super League shambles and back towards La Liga.
The breakaway sideshow, which sent the football world into a frenzy, has come to an abrupt end (for now) but, alongside Manchester United, Real Madrid were acknowledged to be the ringleaders of the controversial scheme and they have some making up to do back in their homeland.
Neutrals will be rooting for Real Betis when they meet at the Bernabeu on Saturday. Manuel Pellegrini’s team has a big challenge against the newly installed league leaders but they have enjoyed a superb season themselves currently sitting in fifth place.
Talking Points
Real Madrid back on top
Here at SBOTOP the La Liga 2021 betting odds have shifted rapidly over the past few weeks as runaway leaders Atletico stuttered. Barcelona are now marginal favourites to win the league at odds of 2.40 with Los Rojiblancos at 2.50 and Real Madrid at 3.80.
A 3-0 win away to Cadiz has shunted Zinedine Zidane’s team up to top spot in La Liga, level on points with Atletico but having played a game more. Sevilla have jumped into third above Barca, again having played a game more, and the Primera Division is bubbling up to an exciting climax.
Atleti’s thumping win over Eibar last week put a challenge down to Los Blancos, who then fluffed their lines with a 0-0 draw against Getafe. Zidane’s team put in a flat performance which was particularly surprising following their spectacular El Clasico win the previous week.
That draw against Getafe ended a four-match winning run, but Los Blancos got back to winning ways against Cadiz, extending their unbeaten sequence, in all competitions, to 12.
Karim Benzema took his season tally up to 21 goals with a brace and now he’s just two behind Lionel Messi and one ahead of Villarreal’s Gerard in the chase for the Golden Boot. But on Saturday, the hosts will be without the versatile Federico Valverde who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Draws are holding Real Betis back
Manuel Pellegrini has guided Betis up to an impressive fifth place in the league but they are losing a little ground having drawn the last four games. If they can turn some of their remaining La Liga 2021 results into wins then Los Verdiblancos will qualify for the Europa League, which is some turnaround following a 15th placed finish in the 2019/20 season.
Betis drew a blank in a goalless draw at home to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, but while a point a game is not what Pellegrini expects, his side has become increasingly hard to beat as the season has progressed.
Brazilian defender Emerson, on loan from Barcelona, has enjoyed a fine season and he will be keen to show the league leaders what he can do, having suffered a torrid time against Los Blancos in the return game.
On the creative side, Sergio Canales — with eight goals and seven assists — is having the best campaign of his career at Betis. The 30-year-old had a season with Los Blancos in 2010/11 and he will be looking for a goal against his former employers, while striker Borja Iglesias will hope to add to his seven for the season. Both will get a ready supply from winger and club captain Joaquin if Betis manage to break free.
History
Real Madrid have won exactly half of the last 50 meetings between these two teams while Betis have won 11 and there have been 14 draws.
Madrid had a thrilling 3-2 win in Seville in the third game of the season when Emerson scored an own goal and then was sent off. Valverde had put Los Blancos ahead but Betis roared back to lead 2-1 before Real rallied and Sergio Ramos scored a late winner from the penalty spot.
This corresponding fixture was a goalless draw last season, and with Betis unbeaten in six I wouldn’t rule out a repeat of that outcome, though Real Madrid have won five home games on the bounce.
Betting Tip
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Real Madrid vs Real Betis | Real Betis Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 1.76 |
| April 25, 03:00 (GMT-8) |
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said that the European Super League is not dead and will return. Well, that remains to be seen, but for now, Los Blancos must concentrate on the matters in hand.
Zidane’s team did a professional job on Liverpool in the Champions League and now sit atop La Liga, but with Barca and Atleti, and even Sevilla, ready to pounce a win over Betis is vital.
Madrid are at odds of 1.50 with Real Betis at 6.60 and the draw is available at 4.00. I expect Los Verdiblancos to put up a tough resistance and Madrid will take a victory at any margin.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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