Espanyol vs Real Betis predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the hosts look to build on a rare win last weekend.
| Date | Saturday 21st January 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 16:15 (CET) |
| Stadium | RCDE Stadium |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Espanyol vs Real Betis Preview
Real Betis head to the RCDE Stadium this matchday for a showdown with Espanyol. Diego Martinez’s team claimed an important three points last time out to ease their relegation worries and will be hoping to back that up with another strong showing here.
Wins have not been easy for Espanyol to come by this term. They’ve only themselves to blame for that at times with plenty of errors at the back and in goal contributing to their ability to win only 3 games including last weekend’s 2-1 win triumph at Getafe. They are LaLiga’s draw specialists with 5 of their 6 games prior to that ending level.
They are still only a point outside the relegation zone heading into this but overall it feels like they have a bit more than most teams in the bottom half. For starters they have a reliable goalscorer which can make all the difference in any relegation fight. Only Robert Lewandoswki has scored more goals than Joselu in the Spanish top flight this term with the former Alaves man on 10 from 17 appearances. That’s a cracking return in a struggling team and accounts for 48% of his team’s total.
Real Betis have their own often free-scoring striker in the shape of former Espanyol man Borja Iglesias who is joint 3rd in LaLiga on 8 goals for the campaign. However he hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks with the 30 year old’s last goal coming back in October in the win at Real Sociedad.
Betis’ form of late has been a bit patchy with 2 wins from 7 in LaLiga. They weren’t brilliant in Vallecas last time out but did claim an important 2-1 success to keep their European push on track. Their plans for this game are hampered by an injury to key man Nabil Fekir while centre-back Luiz Felipe serves the second game of a two game ban. It’s 8 red cards in 16 matches for Betis this term, more than any other team in the Spanish top flight.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Espanyol
| INJURED | Bare, Pedrosa |
| DOUBTFUL | Darder |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Badia – Bigas, Roco, Palacios – Blanco, Gumbau, Mascarell, Carmona – Milla – Ponce, Boye (3-4-1-2)
Coach: Pablo Machin
Real Betis
| INJURED | Cruz |
| DOUBTFUL | Juanmi, Fekir, Joaquin |
| BANNED | Luiz Felipe |
Possible XI: Silva – Miranda, Ruiz, Pezzella, Sabaly – Guardado, Carvalho – Henrique, Rodri, Canales – Iglesias (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Manuel Pellegrini
Score Prediction: Espanyol 2-2 Real Betis
It’s just one home win this season for Espanyol in LaLiga so it’s hard to feel really confident about their chances here. Betis haven’t been flying of late though and were knocked out of the Copa del Rey at home by Osasuna in midweek so an even game looks likely but we should see a few goals.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
