Real Sociedad vs Real Betis Predictions & Match Preview

Real Sociedad vs Real Betis predictions and match preview for Friday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as two European hopefuls meet.

Real Sociedad vs Real Betis Preview

There’s a big game in the race for European qualification this Friday in LaLiga as Real Sociedad and Real Betis face off. It’s 6th vs 5th with just two points separating the sides. Victory for the visitors would propel them back into the Champions League places and up the pressure on the likes of Atletico Madrid and Sevilla who play later this matchday.

These clubs have had almost identical results in recent weeks with both coming into this game having collected 10 points from their last 4 outings in the league. Real Sociedad’s success has largely been built on their ability to keep goals out with clean sheets in 5 of their last 7 league games. Imanol has opted to change his preferred central defensive pairing of late with Igor Zubeldia rather than Aritz Elustondo operating alongside Robin Le Normand, and they do seem to have found a bit more stability again on the defensive front.

They are still by no means a free-scoring team but they did manage to net twice in a key comeback win over Elche last time out. With no cup distractions, they can now really focus on ending the season on a positive note and at the very least a top six finish looks all but guaranteed already. With home games against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also still to come, they have some opportunities to take points off the other teams in the top four picture and La Real will need a really strong end to the campaign at home if they are going to secure Champions League football which still looks unlikely at this stage.

It’s going to be really interesting to see how bold these two teams are willing to be here. Betis can take confidence from having won 4-0 in the Copa del Rey on this ground earlier this year and they do look to have turned the corner again after a brief wobble around their European exit against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side come into this game on the back of a 4-1 win over Osasuna at the Benito Villamarin where Juanmi was the star of the show, prior to a 2-1 Andalusian derby win at Cadiz last time out. They left it late to turn that game around with Cristian Tello and Borja Iglesias netting in the final twelve minutes. Betis are the side with the fewer selection issues too heading into this one and three points really would make you stand up and take Betis’ top four ambitions seriously once more.

Head to Head

• Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 4 Real Betis Wins, 1 Real Sociedad Win, 1 Draw.
• The sides have already met twice this season with both games ending 4-0 to Betis.
• Betis have won the last 3 meetings overall, although 2 of those games were in the Copa del Rey.
• Real Sociedad are unbeaten in their last 4 home league games against Betis, scoring 11 times in the process.

Team News

Latest LaLiga Injuries & Suspensions

Possible Lineups

Real Sociedad vs Real Betis Predictions

Score Prediction: Real Sociedad 1-1 Real Betis

There hasn’t been much to choose between these sides all season and the league table certainly reflects that. Betis carry the greater goal threat and will fancy their chances here having scored four on this ground in February. However Real Sociedad have actually kept 6 straight home clean sheets in LaLiga which takes some doing and it seems unlikely that the visitors will have as much joy in front of goal this time around.

PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips. No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.