Real Betis vs Real Sociedad

Real Betis and Real Sociedad are set to square off in an exciting La Liga top-five six-pointer at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.

Betis have enjoyed a noticeable upturn in form of late, going from back-to-back La Liga defeats to three consecutive league victories, including their first top-flight win at Barcelona in three years last time out. Sat third in the standings, courtesy of nine wins from their opening 16 La Liga matches (D3, L4), ‘Los Verdiblancos’ are enjoying their best start to a new top-flight campaign since the 1930s. Interestingly, after going winless in their opening four La Liga home games (D2, L2), Manuel Pellegrini’s men have racked up four triumphs in their last five league outings at Benito Villamarín (L1), averaging 3.0 goals per win. That should set up Betis’ hopes of inflicting revenge on Sociedad for a 3-0 thrashing in this exact fixture last season nicely.

On the other hand, Real Sociedad put PSV Eindhoven to the sword in midweek Europa League, claiming an overwhelming 3-0 home win to qualify for the competition’s knock-outs. That should come as a confidence booster for ‘La Real,’ who head into proceedings winless in their last three La Liga matches (D1, L2), failing to find the back of the net on each occasion in the process. Another scoring blank would see the ‘Txuri-Urdin’ go three consecutive La Liga fixtures without getting on the scoresheet for the first time since January 2007. With four of Sociedad’s last five La Liga away games won/lost witnessing the winner on the day keep a clean sheet, it feels that whoever remains firm at the back would have better chances of winning.