La Liga: Now This Is the Real Battle for a Champions League Place

Real Betis vs Real Sociedad

All roads lead to the Benito Villamarin in Seville on Tuesday for a monster midweek La Liga clash where Real Betis vs Real Sociedad is the entertainment on offer. 

The Spanish top flight is always one of the most competitive leagues in world football and, once again, there are battles up and down the table which will go down to the wire. Barcelona are hoping to extend their eight-point lead at the top but they still have work to do to hold off Real Madrid. At the bottom, where Elche look doomed, there are five teams trying to avoid the other two relegation spots, while the chase for Champions League football rages on.

And that’s where Betis and Sociedad come in.   

Following this weekend’s La Liga fixtures, Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis have drifted six points behind fourth-placed Real Sociedad after losing 3-2 away to Osasuna, while Imanol Alguacil’s side won 2-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano to strengthen their grip on the priceless fourth place.

With eight games to play there will be twists and turns to come, but this match feels like it might be pivotal, particularly if La Real can come out on top.  

Talking Points

Betis hoping for a bounce back

Real Betis are one of three clubs trying to chase Sociedad down with Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao also in the hunt, so there will be fans in Castellon and the Basque cheering on Los Verdiblancos on Tuesday. But Pellegrini shouldn’t have too much difficulty motivating his players who will be desperate to get back to winning ways after a disappointing run. He knows that a win will haul Sociedad back into the pack and that is his clear focus.

Los Verdiblancos gave themselves a mountain to climb away to Osasuna when they went 2-0 down within the opening 11 minutes. Defender Juan Miranda halved the deficit but the hosts restored their two-goal lead before Guido Rodriguez made it 3-2 with 20 minutes to play. Despite having over 60 per cent possession and 21 shots to Osasuna’s ten, Betis couldn’t force an equaliser but the manager remains positive, saying: “There are 24 points to play for, we’ll keep playing.”              

The La Liga 2023 betting odds reckon this clash will be a tough test for Los Verdiblancos and they will rely on top scorer Borja Iglesias to take the fight to La Real and hopefully add to his 12 goals for the campaign. And he’ll be supported by Spanish striker Ayoze Perez who has impressed since his arrival from Leicester in January, while Betis have another big incentive, aside from reducing the gap to three points.

Club legend Joaquin, who has scored over 50 goals in over 400 appearances for Los Verdiblancos, has announced he will retire in the summer. The 41-year-old came on as a 61^st-minute substitute against Osasuna and everyone at the club wants to see him bow out on a high.   

Sociedad can open up a handy gap

But Alguacil’s side will be in Seville to spoil the party and they took a big step towards Champions League football on Saturday thanks to a hard-fought victory over Rayo Vallecano. The visitors took a surprise lead early in the second half, but Sociedad hit back immediately with a headed goal from top scorer Alexander Sorloth. That made it ten for the season for the 6ft 5in Norwegian.

It teed up a grandstand finish with more La Liga 2023 highlights as Carlos Fernandez saw his header ricochet off a Rayo defender to make it 2-1 with just nine minutes left to play.  

It’s that kind of luck that can turn a season and now Sociedad have a great chance to open up big gap.    

But they have not been so good on the road in recent weeks and the recent Basque Derby didn’t go as planned for Sociedad as they went down 2-0, while Real Betis won their last home game, 3-1 against Espanyol.

History

The head-to-head results have been tightly contested in recent years. Betis are 19 to 16 up and there have been 16 draws in all competitions over the past 51 meetings. 

Pellegrini’s side won 2-0 away to Sociedad in October thanks to two late goals, Iglesias nailing down the win with a 93^rd-minute strike.  

Both teams are in patchy form, Betis with two wins and four defeats from the last six games while Sociedad have won three, drawn one and lost two. 

Betting Tip

Sociedad are favourites to win this clash at SBOTOP odds of 2.12, with Betis at 2.92 and the draw at 3.16.

It’s a tough game to call, but Sociedad are without a win in their last five away games while Betis have been stronger at home in recent weeks and I think that gives Pellegrini’s side a good chance. 

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.