Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis predictions, H2H and match preview for this Saturday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as both sides target their first victories since the resumption.
by Mark Sochon (@marksoc1)
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis Preview
The second game on Saturday in LaLiga comes from San Mames where two teams who don’t appear to have much left to play for meet. Athletic may still have ambitions of sneaking into the Europa League but they will really need a strong finish to the season if they are going to manage that.
The Basque giants have drawn both matches since the restart. They held Atleti to a 1-1 draw at San Mames in their first game back before drawing 2-2 away to local rivals Eibar in a lively game in midweek. It wasn’t a particularly convincing display but Athletic fans would have been pleased to see young striker Asier Villalibre on target again with Aritz Aduriz’s retirement hastening the desire to find the next top Basque striker.
Real Betis meanwhile have made an underwhelming return to action, something in fitting with their season as a whole. Having lost the derby, their midweek home game was billed as ‘must win’ for Rubi. For long periods, it looked like they would lose it but a late rally looked to have given them victory when Cristian Tello fired home just 3 minutes after Sergio Canales had levelled the game from the spot. There was a final twist in the tail though as Roberto Soldado struck late to deny Betis two points.
Rubi remains in charge but many now see it as inevitable that he will be replaced this summer, almost regardless of how results go between now and the end of the campaign. The hectic schedule and complications with appointing a new boss during this period, may be the only thing that is keeping him in a job for now.
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Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-1 Athletic
There’s not much to love about Betis right now unfortunately and they look and feel like a team that is short on belief with a host of individuals not playing to their potential. Athletic are usually strong at San Mames and if they can replicate their showing against Atletico Madrid in their last home match, they ought to have enough to see off Betis in a fixture they usually win.
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis Betting Tips (18+)
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Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 4 Athletic Wins, 1 Betis Win, 1 Draw.
- Betis were 3-2 winners when the sides met earlier this term in Seville.
- Athletic had won 4 of the previous 5 meetings.
- Athletic have won all of their last 6 home games vs Betis.
Predicted Line Ups
Athletic Team:
Simon – Yuri, Martinez, Yeray, Capa – Lopez, Dani Garcia – Cordoba, Muniain, Garcia – Williams (4-2-3-1)
Betis Team:
Joel – Moreno, Bartra, Feddal, Emerson – Canales, Gonzalez, Alena – Tello, Loren, Fekir (4-3-3)
We have match previews for every game in La Liga between now and the end of this season.
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