Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis predictions and match preview for Monday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Betis head to the Basque Country.
- DATE: Monday 23rd November 2020
- KICK-OFF: 21:00 (local time)
- VENUE: San Mames
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis Preview
The Monday night action in LaLiga comes from San Mames where there is pressure building on Gaizka Garitano to start getting more out of this Athletic side. Their last two home performances have been better but another disappointing road display a fortnight ago leaves Athletic languishing in the bottom six heading into this game against Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis.
A 2-1 defeat at Real Valladolid was an immediate setback having claimed a victory over Sevilla just before that, a result which looked like a real launchpad for the Basque giants moving forward. Athletic are a club that shows more patience than most with coaches but right now there are no real signs to suggest Garitano has the formula that is going to deliver anything more than a mid-table finish.
Perhaps it would be unrealistic to expect this group of players to deliver much more than that. There’s isn’t a great deal of creativity besides from Iker Muniain and the conundrum of who’s the best man to start up front continues. Raul Garcia did a great job as a makeshift striker last season but hasn’t quite looked at his best so far in 2020/21 and is yet to score in 8 appearances, admittedly not all of them as the number 9.
As for Real Betis, they have shown a bit more to suggest they could improve on last season’s showing. However it’s very much one step forward and then one back so far. There have been good recent wins over Elche and Valencia but they have lost 5 of their last 7 league games overall including a 5-2 loss at Camp Nou last time out.
They’ve also been dealt a real blow over the international fortnight with Sergio Canales picking up an injury while on Spain duty. He has been Betis’ standout performer so far this season with 4 assists. Only Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa has more in LaLiga 2020/21.
Check out our match previews for every game in LaLiga here!
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 4 Athletic Wins, 1 Betis Win, 1 Draw.
- Athletic have won all of their last 7 home games against Real Betis.
- Betis haven’t even scored on any of their last 3 trips to San Mames.
- However they were 3-2 winners when the sides met in Seville last season.
Team News
Athletic have been affected by COVID-19 with Oscar De Marcos testing positive and a few other players coming into contact with somebody who has. However Dani Garcia is the only regular who is at risk of missing this game as a result.
Sergio Canales joins Nabil Fekir on the sidelines having picked up an injury on Spain duty. Aissa Mandi is suspended having seen red at Camp Nou last time out.
Predicted Athletic Starting Lineup:
Simon – Yuri, Martinez, Yeray, Capa – Dani Garcia, Lopez – Bereneguer, Raul Garcia, Muniain – Williams (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Betis Starting Lineup:
Bravo – Moreno, Bartra, Ruiz, Emerson – Guardado, Rodriguez – Tello, Carvalho, Joaquin – Sanabria (4-2-3-1)
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis Predictions
Score Prediction: Athletic 1-0 Betis
This is a tough one to call but with Betis missing the likes of Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales, you just have to favour the hosts. Athletic have found a bit of home form at least, and it’s a good job because they are very poor travellers. They ought to just edge this to ease the pressure on Gaizka Garitano again.
LaLiga Betting Tips (18+)
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