Almeria – Betis : Preview & Prediction
UD Almeria and Real Betis, both defeated in the 20th round of LaLiga Santander (LL), measure their forces in a derby that looks to be exciting. After losing 2-0 at Rayo Vallecano, the Almeria side enter Matchday 21 with a three-point cushion above the red zone, from which they remain outside thanks to their remarkable record at the Power Horse Stadium, where they have lost just one of their last seven home league games (G5, E1, P1).
Those results have contributed to the fact that 86% of their points have come from home matches – the highest percentage recorded by a team in the current championship – and the club from the Indalian city would be in fifth place if only home results were taken into account (19/30 pts – G6, E1, P3). To bring a seventh win to their fans, Almeria will do well to improve their defensive performance in the second half: going into this matchday, only Cadiz have conceded more goals in the second 45 minutes of their LL matches than Rubi’s side.
Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini is surely aware of this vulnerability of his opponents, whom the Verdiblancos have never beaten on the road (E1, P3). Pellegrini had admitted before facing Celta last matchday that his team was struggling in front of goal, but the three goals scored by the Spanish side in that match were not enough to earn a point (BET 3-4 CEL). With only three points out of the last 12 possible (E1, P3), Betis are in danger of dropping out of the fight for the European places.
The Heliopolis side has dropped to seventh place, although it is tied on 31 points with Villarreal, sixth thanks to its better goal difference. This Saturday’s game is undoubtedly a very important outing for a Betis side that has not scored in five LL away games this season, a figure surpassed by only two clubs. Anything is possible at the Power Horse Stadium, but they face another Andalusian derby having not lost any of their last five in the top flight (G3, E2).
Key battle: Only Elche have kept fewer clean sheets in the current season than Almeria (one), who will be relying on a stellar performance from Fernando Martinez. Borja Iglesias, scorer of half of Betis’ away goals in LL 2022-23 (4/8) will be one of the biggest threats to the red-and-white goalkeeper, who conceded a goal from the striker from Compostela in the first round (BET 3-1 ALM, round 9).
Key statistic: No team has conceded more goals between the 61st and 75th minutes than Almería (eight) in LL this season.
Almeria – Betis : Betting Tips
Betis – Win Odds: 2.25
