This weekend sees the start of the Spanish top flight season and Monday night’s encounter between Real Betis and Elche will wrap up the opening weekend’s La Liga action at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
It was a successful campaign last season for Real Betis as Manuel Pellegrini’s side achieved a 5th place finish and ended up just five points behind 4th placed Sevilla and a place in the Champions League group stage, so the hosts will be eager to emulate last season’s efforts this time around.
🆙 pic.twitter.com/P8TqnIo2zz— Real Betis Balompié 🌴💚 (@RealBetis) August 4, 2022
🆙 pic.twitter.com/P8TqnIo2zz
A favourable opening fixture at home against bottom half finishers from last season, Elche, should give Real Betis a springboard from which to launch another successful campaign as the home side look to pick up where they left off last time out in La Liga.
Real Betis were unbeaten in their final three games of last term, picking up wins against Valencia and Granada, along with a point in a draw away from home at La Liga title winners, Real Madrid.
Defender, Martin Montoya, will be the only absentee from an otherwise full strength Real Betis side this Monday night.
Elche finished last season in the bottom half of La Liga in 13th place thanks to a 3-1 home win over Getafe on the final day of the season, saving them from a 15th place finish and earning the visitors more prize money into the bargain.
Elche recorded 11 wins throughout last season’s campaign with seven of these victories being collected on home soil at their Estadio Manuel Martínez while results away from home were less convincing as Elche registered a total of just four wins overall on their outings.
Three of these four wins on the road were achieved against fellow bottom half opposition while their 1-0 win at Real Betis was their highlight of their away games last term and they’ll no doubt be hoping that lightning can strike twice on Monday night.
Elche manager, Francisco Escriba, has no injury worries for this season opener and will have a fully fit squad to choose from for this trip to the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
Elche recorded a 1-0 win away at Real Betis in the previous meeting between these two clubs but the visitors know they have another tough clash awaiting them on Monday night, with Real Betis favourites for the points here.