Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Desperate to tighten their grip in the Champions League chase, Atletico Madrid will welcome Real Betis to the capital on Sunday afternoon.
Atletico Madrid
Starting with the hosts, crashing out of the Copa del Rey earlier in the week following a woeful second-leg display away at Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid find themselves in the midst of a real rut. Eventually falling to an infamous 4-0 aggregate defeat, the former Spanish champions have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Opening their Champions League knockout stage adventure with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Italian heavyweights Inter Milan last month, Diego Simeone will have a mounting headache over his side’s extended defensive issues. Forced to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against leading relegation scrappers Almeria last weekend, Atletico have recorded just a sole clean sheet over the past month. Although Sunday’s hosts might have continued to shine in the capital, they do have the feel of a squad seeking a much-needed domestic boost here.
Team News
Missing out in midweek with a recent ankle injury, attacking talisman Antoine Griezmann remains a real doubt here. Likewise, all still dealing with respective issues, the likes of Thomas Lemar, Jose Maria Gimenez and former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta will not feature on Sunday afternoon.
Forced to settle for a spot on the bench at San Mames earlier in the week, Dutch international Memphis Depay could replace Angel Correa in the final third. Despite failing to find the net in any of his previous eight domestic appearances, Spanish skipper Alvaro Morata will spearhead Atletcio’s charge.
Real Betis
As for the visitors, managing to claim a welcomed boost last week as they secured a stellar 3-1 victory at home against Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, suffering real Europa League heartbreak on February 22nd as they eventually fell to a 2-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb, Manuel Pellegrini’s men are seeking some crucial stability. Winning just a quartet of their previous 15 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to December 6th – the former West Ham boss will also be worried by a nightmare record against Sunday’s hosts. Despite snatching a 0-0 stalemate when they welcomed Atletico Madrid to the Estadio Benito Villamarin for their reverse La Liga showdown on August 20th, that is the only point that they have claimed from their last five La Liga meetings.
Team News
In what has been a huge blow for Betis over the past few weeks, Pellegrini’s men will once again be without the services of former Real Madrid star Isco on Sunday afternoon. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, the likes of Marc Bartra, Guido Rodriguez and Cedric Bakambu will not feature here.
However, after serving their own respective one-match suspensions last week, the duo of Marc Roca and Juan Miranda will return to Betis’ squad in the capital. Former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin will be hoping for a full recall this weekend.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Atletico Madrid and Real Betis met for their reverse La Liga showdown on August 20th, Sunday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate.
- Atletico have collected 13 points from their previous five La Liga meetings against Los Verdiblancos.
- Real Betis have won just a quartet of their previous 15 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to December 6th.
- Continuing on from last season, Atletico Madrid have collected 64 points from their previous 22 La Liga appearances on home soil.
- Five of Betis’ last six showdowns away from the Estadio Benito Villamarin have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Crashing out of the Copa del Rey earlier in the week following an infamous 4-0 aggregate defeat against Athletic Bilbao, Sunday’s hosts know the importance of claiming a crucial boost here. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny since opening the New Year and with just a single victory from their previous seven outings, Simeone’s men will certainly have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here. Although Atletico might face another rugged challenge this weekend, we are predicting a home victory.
Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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