Sporting Gijon vs Real Betis predictions and match preview for Sunday’s Spanish Copa del Rey 3rd Round game. Read on for analysis and a score prediction as Betis travel to Asturias.
- DATE: Sunday 17th January 2021
- KICK-OFF: 16:00 (local time)
- STADIUM: El Molinon
- COMPETITION: Copa del Rey 3rd Round
Sporting Gijon vs Real Betis Preview
One of the most intriguing match-ups this weekend in the Copa del Rey sees Segunda Division high-fliers Sporting Gijon entertain Real Betis. The visitors were eliminated by second tier opposition at this stage of last year’s competition and will be hungry to avoid a repeat here in what will be a tricky tie to negotiate.
Sporting got off to an electric start to their Segunda Division season, winning all of their opening 4 fixtures. They haven’t been able to maintain that kind of form but they do remain firmly in the picture in terms of the race for promotion with the Asturians currently 4th in a very competitive league.
David Gallego is going some way to restoring his reputation after a very early dismissal at Espanyol last season and is showing signs of why the Catalan club decided to appoint him in the first place. El Molinon has been a real fortress for Sporting with 7 victories and 4 draws from their 11 home games, some going at a time when home advantage supposedly counts for little given the absence of supporters.
Betis will be well aware of that as they make the long trip north and you get the feeling it will again really depend on which Betis team turns up. At their best, they are one of the more attractive teams to watch in LaLiga and they should head into this one on a relative high having beaten Huesca 2-0 away in their last league fixture.
However this is also a Betis side that has conceded 3+ goals on six occasions already this season with even the likes of Levante, Getafe and an often low-scoring Athletic side, managing to fire plenty of goals past them. They are though one top flight team with no real distractions such as European football or a relegation battle so they’ve no reason not to target the Copa this year and have so far made solid progress, seeing off UCAM Murcia and Multivera.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 2 Betis Wins, 4 Draws.
- All of the last 4 meetings have ended up level since a 2-0 Betis win in the Copa del Rey in Seville in 2015.
- The sides haven’t met since a 2-2 draw at El Molinon in LaLiga in May 2017.
- All of the last 6 meetings in Asturias have produced 3+ goals and seen both teams score.
Sporting Gijon vs Real Betis Predictions
Score Prediction: Sporting 1-1 Betis – Match goes to Extra Time & Penalties
Sporting are a team with their limitations and they are heavily dependent on forward Uroš Đurđević for goals but their strong home record suggests they can make a real game of this. Betis have more creativity in their ranks but unless they are on top of their game, this could turn into a tricky evening for the top flight side and we may see Extra Time and perhaps penalties.
Copa del Rey Betting Tips (18+)
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Read our latest Copa del Rey match previews.
