The final La Liga match this weekend comes on Monday night as Real Betis welcome Malaga to the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
The hosts find themselves in 5th place in the table and know a win could seal their place in the Europa League for next season. There is an outside chance of finishing 4th but this is unrealistic at present.
Malaga’s fate has been sealed and they will be relegated this season. Malaga are rooted to the bottom of La Liga and 20 points adrift of safety. They are playing for pride in this match, nothing more.
Real Betis come into the match having picked up a good point in a 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid last weekend. That results means Real Betis are in a great form and have won six and drawn one of their last seven La Liga games.
Trends show Real Betis have lost just one of their last ten La Liga matches and have won each of their last three on home soil. The most impressive aspect of Real Betis’ game recently has been their defence and they have kept a clean sheet in each of their last six league matches, including the last four at home.
Real Betis have also scored 6 goals across their last three home games, at an average of 2 goals per game and look set to end the season strongly.
The same cannot be said for Malaga, who have nothing left to play for this season. However, they bounced back from three straight defeats last weekend to defeat Real Sociedad 2-0 at home and give their fans something to cheer.
Despite that win, trends show Malaga have won only two of their last nineteen games in La Liga and have lost nine of their last twelve. It’s this disappointing run of results which has seen them doomed to relegation this season.
Away from home, Malaga have lost five of their last six La Liga matches have won just one of their last nineteen. In fact, Malaga have won just three of their last thirty-eight away matches in all competitions, which is a very poor record.
Malaga have conceded in five of their last six away league games and have scored only 2 goals in their last four.
Looking ahead to the team news and Real Betis will be without the injured duo of Antonio Adan and Dani Gimenez, meaning Pedro Lopez will play in goal. Marc Bartra is suspended so Jordi Amat and Aissa Mandi are expected to play in central defence.
Malaga are without the suspended Manuel Iturra and injured left-back Federico Ricca, who is out for the rest of the season.
Real Betis are in great form and will expect nothing less than maximum points from this game. Malaga have struggled away from home and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the home team keep another clean sheet.