Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid

Real Betis and Atletico Madrid are set to square off at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in a high-stake La Liga top-five six-pointer.

An indifferent four-game La Liga form (W2, L2) has compromised Betis’ chances of landing their first Champions League appearance since 2005/06, allowing fifth-placed Atletico Madrid to reduce the gap to a single point. A potential victory here would hand Betis’ chances of achieving that feat a massive boost, yet after winning just one of their last five top-flight H2Hs as hosts (D2, L2), that looks a bit far-fetched. What’s more, ‘Los Verdiblancos’ have suffered three defeats in their last seven home outings in La Liga (W4), as many reverses as they had in their previous 22 matches at Benito Villamarin in the competition (W12, D7). But they’ve been fun to watch of late, with five of their last six La Liga games featuring 3+ total goals.

In the meantime, Atletico Madrid have responded to a shock 1-0 home defeat to rock-bottom Levante with a brace of comprehensive La Liga wins over Osasuna and Celta Vigo, both of which came by 2+ goals ‘to nil.’  Atletico’s 3-0 victory at Osasuna in their most recent La Liga road trip halted their run of five consecutive away league games without winning (D1, L4). Diego Simeone’s men could now win back-to-back La Liga matches on the road for the first time since September. Meanwhile, another victory ‘to nil’ would see ‘Los Colchoneros’ win three successive top-flight fixtures without conceding for the first time since December 2020. The reigning Spanish champions must be brimming with confidence ahead of this trip after losing just one of their 18 La Liga meetings with Betis under Simeone’s reign (W13, D4).