🔈 Can the "Beticos" secure their first win in five head-to-head encounters against Alaves? The opening game of La Liga's second round will feature a clash between Betis and Alaves at the "Estadio de la Cartuja." The "Bean Destroyers" delivered an outstanding performance last weekend, which helped them solidify their position at 6th in the standings. Meanwhile, the "Green-and-Whites" settled for a draw against league newcomers Elche (1-1). The bookmakers' odds for the upcoming showdown are as follows: Betis win – 1.8, Alaves victory – 4.6.

Head-to-Head

📊 Last season, Alaves proved to be a formidable opponent for Betis. Their first encounter ended in a goalless draw at Mendizorrotza (0-0), but the "Glorious" secured a well-earned victory at Benito Villamarin (3-1). Over their last 10 head-to-head matches, the record stands at 4 wins for Betis, 3 draws, and 3 victories for Alaves.

Real Betis Team Overview

🟢 The match against Elche in the last round exposed several issues for the Beticos. First and foremost, their poor ball control was evident, with only 32% possession throughout the game. The imbalance between lines hindered the Seville club's ability to transition effectively from defense to attack, leading to frequent turnovers. It's crucial to remember that Manuel Pellegrini and his team need some time for the new signings to fully adapt.

⚪ As for Betis's newcomers, Riquelme stood out. The former Atletico player was largely isolated, with just 26 touches during the game, yet he still managed to register an assist. Manuel Pellegrini's tactical setup of 4-2-3-1 is designed to fully harness Riquelme's playing potential, considering his high efficiency in dribbling and creating opportunities. 

Deportivo Alaves Team Overview

🔵 A victory over Levante (2-1) in the opening round of the Spanish championship has propelled the "Glorious" into the top six of the standings. It's worth noting that the match was anything but easy for Eduardo Coudet's squad. The local crowd witnessed Nahuel Tenaglia's winning goal only in the 92nd minute. Nonetheless, denying the playing superiority of the team from Vitoria-Gasteiz would be quite foolish.

⚪ Alaves' tactical hallmark is their density across the lines, which allows them to operate effectively in positional defense. For instance, Antonio Blanco occasionally takes on the role of a third central defender in Eduardo Coudet's tactical setup, typically during defensive phases. An intriguing feature is the narrow positioning of their attacking flank players. The use of inverted wingers adds variability to Alaves' play when controlling the ball in the opponent's half.

Latest news

Real Betis

📰 Recently, it was announced that Betis and Rayo Vallecano have reached an agreement regarding the transfer of Nobel Mendy to the capital club. The French defender, who joined the "Beticos" in 2023, failed to secure a spot in the starting lineup. Last season, Mendy played only 2 matches in La Liga. Meanwhile, a player likely to get his chance this upcoming season is Mawuli Mensah, who completed his move to the Seville club this week. The Ghanaian midfielder was included in Betis' squad for the opening round.

🎤 After the match against Elche (1-1), Manuel Pellegrini spoke to the media: "I think we should highlight that today we saw a team on the field. My squad looked strong under pressure and in positional defense, which allowed us to capitalize on counterattacking opportunities regularly. In my opinion, we deserved more, but our issues with finishing our chances played a key role. However, as I said, I'm pleased with the team's performance."

❌ In the "Heliopolitan" injury list are Nelson Deossa (ankle injury) and Isco (leg fracture). The participation of Ez Abde, Diego Llorente, and Marc Roca remains doubtful.

Deportivo Alaves

🎤 Alavés newcomer Pablo Ibáñez shared his emotions following his debut in the "Glorious" shirt: "It was a long-awaited day, and it was unmatched. Debuting in the starting lineup, with such an atmosphere, and clinching a victory in the final minutes – it was incredible. The start of the season is crucial; it's important to be in good physical and mental shape. Starting with three points is very significant. It was easy for me to adapt because I grew up in a similar team and city. The coach gives me freedom: without the ball, I can push forward, and with the ball, I can better progress between the lines."

❌ Overall, Eduardo Coudet can count on an optimal lineup for the upcoming La Liga match. Only Hugo Novoa-Ramos's participation remains uncertain as the Spanish defender continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

🟨 Yellow Card Prediction

🟨 Yellow Card Prediction

In 5 of Betis' last 6 matches, there have been no more than 4 yellow cards. A similar trend is evident in Alaves' previous 8 games. It's worth noting that last season, the "Beticos" were considered one of the most disciplined teams in the league, averaging just 1.9 cautions per match. We'll go with the following bet: total yellow cards under 4.5.

⚽ Goal Prediction

In 4 of the last 5 encounters between Betis and Alaves, no more than 2 goals were scored. A focus on defensive play is a hallmark of nearly every head-to-head clash between these teams. This trend is also present in 8 of the last 10 matches involving the "Bean Destroyers." Our editorial team predicts low scoring from both sides: total goals under 2.5.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Let's look at the corner kick stats in head-to-head matchups between the teams: 5.3 versus 4.9 in favor of Betis. In 6 of the last 8 meetings, there have been at least 11 corner kicks. We anticipate wing play from both sides in the upcoming match, leading to a significant number of corners. Our pick: total corners over 9.5.

Betis are still finding their rhythm this season, making it risky to expect consistent results from them just yet. Meanwhile, Alaves are likely to be a tough opponent for most teams throughout the La Liga campaign. Our editorial team anticipates a clash between two resilient sides, where the outcome could hinge on a single pivotal moment. Therefore, a final score of 1-0 seems plausible. The key pick is total goals under 2.5.