Will Manuel Pellegrini rest key players ahead of the Conference League final? Real Betis and Valencia are set to kick off the final round of La Liga at the Benito Villamarín. It's worth noting that this clash is merely a formality for both teams. Bookmakers are being cautious in picking a favorite. Here are the initial odds: a home win at 2.05, and an away victory at 3.35.

Head-to-Head

In the first round of the current championship, Valencia outplayed Betis with a 4-2 victory. That November day was an emotional rollercoaster for Hugo Duro. The Spaniard initially found the back of his own net but then redeemed himself by scoring twice at the other end, becoming the match's standout performer. Reviewing the outcomes over the last 10 head-to-head clashes, Betis have claimed 5 victories, there have been 3 draws, and Valencia have secured 2 wins.

Real Betis Team Overview

The race for a Champions League spot ended in disappointment for the "green-and-whites." A 1-4 defeat to Atletico in the last round dashed the club's hopes of qualifying for Europe's premier club competition. The final league position for the Seville side is set in stone—6th place. Interestingly, Betis have only failed to score in one league match this calendar year, a January clash with Valladolid (0-1). Let's highlight the "Beticos" home record—33 points from 18 matches, ranking them 7th in the league. The upcoming league match will be significant, as "Benito Villamarin" will close for renovations next season. Temporarily, the "Heliopolitan" team will call the Olympic Stadium in Seville their home.

🔝 Isco has been Betis' most dangerous player this season. For the 33-year-old Spaniard, this campaign is one of the most productive of his career, with 9 goals and 7 assists in 21 La Liga matches. It's important to compare these figures with his xG and xA: 8.62 and 4.76, respectively. Moreover, Isco leads the team in key passes, averaging 3.38 per game. He's managed to contribute a goal or an assist in 3 of his last 5 matches.

Valencia Team Overview

After a dismal start to the season, Valencia not only secured their top-flight status but also found themselves comfortably mid-table. At one point, Los Che were even seriously contending for a spot in European competitions. However, defeats to Alaves (0-1) and Athletic Club (0-1) put a halt to those ambitions. As they prepare for their trip to the Benito Villamarin, it's important to note Carlos Corberan's side's struggles on the road—just 14 points from 18 away games, ranking them 18th in the league. Additionally, their defensive frailties are apparent, conceding an average of 1.43 goals per match, which is the 15th worst in the league.

Valencia's standout player this season has been Hugo Duro, both as their top scorer and most influential player. The Spanish forward has netted 11 goals and provided 2 assists (xG – 10.97, xA – 1.45). This marks his second senior season with 10 or more league goals, justifying the transfer interest from Europe's elite clubs.

Latest news

Real Betis

As the season winds down, the rumor mill is buzzing with transfer speculation. One such story involves Real Betis' pursuit of Marseille striker Jonathan Rowe. Reports suggest that the French forward fits seamlessly into Manuel Pellegrini's tactical plans. However, the initial offer was turned down by the 'Provençaux', who are holding out for a fee of €12 million. Additionally, it was recently revealed that Getafe are set to activate the purchase option in their loan agreement with Juanmi for €1.2 million. Unfortunately, the 2021/22 season remains the only standout campaign for the Spanish striker in a Betis shirt.

❌ In Betis’ injury list are Chimy Avila, Hector Bellerin, Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Youssouf Sabaly, and Francisco Vieites.

Valencia

Carlos Corberán offered a concise analysis of his team's recent clash with Athletic (0-1): "It was a tough match, one where we struggled to impose our style. When they applied pressure and we found solutions to bypass it on the right flank, our attacks lacked precision. We need to improve our positional play. I would say the team showed heart, but not organization. We must continue to face reality, and a club like Valencia must always strive for improvement." He also expressed gratitude towards the loaned players: "I'm thankful to every player who joined us on loan because they came with a great attitude. I don't want to evaluate them publicly. That belongs to the private sphere."

Valencia this season is a blend of incredibly talented players and seasoned fighters. We focus particularly on the homegrown talents: Cristian Mosquera, Javi Guerra, and Yarek Gasiorowski. The latter has even received his first call-up to Spain's U20 national team for the upcoming training camp ahead of the Youth World Cup.

❌ Thierry Correia remains sidelined for Valencia, still recovering from a severe knee injury sustained last year.

Prediction for Yellow Cards

Prediction for Yellow Cards

On average, matches between Betis and Valencia see 5.3 yellow cards. However, in 5 of their last 6 encounters, there have been no more than 4 bookings. Both teams have shown commendable discipline this season: the "Green-and-Whites" average 2 cards, while the "Bats" average 2.3. Our focus is on the following bet – total yellow cards under 4.5.

Prediction for Goals

Head-to-head clashes between Betis and Valencia often result in a flurry of goals. In 5 of their last 6 meetings, at least 3 goals have been scored. This trend is also evident in 7 of Betis's last 8 games this season. Both clubs exhibit high attacking intensity, which should influence the nature of the upcoming match. Our pick is – total over 2.5 goals.

Prediction for Corners

Let's highlight the significant number of corners each team earns this season: Betis averages 5.2 per game, while Valencia averages 5. Moreover, in 4 of Betis's last 5 matches, there have been at least 11 corner kicks. Additionally, their head-to-head clashes typically feature around 10.8 corners. Our editorial team suggests the following bet – total corners over 9.5.

Betis are considered the favorites, but they haven't won any of their last four matches. In May, the Green-and-Whites played two more games than Valencia, and in five days, they face one of the most crucial matches in the club's history—the Conference League final against Chelsea. Manuel Pellegrini is likely to rotate his squad, which gives a decent chance to the Bats, who have picked up points in six of their last seven away La Liga fixtures. Our pick is Valencia will not lose.