Real Betis head into matchday 29 following a 2-0 derby loss to city rival Sevilla. Now, Los Verdiblancos need a win move up the La Liga table and finish in the top half of the standings.
Granada are playing in their first La Liga campaign since 2016-17 when they were relegated to the Segunda. Their return to the top flight has been excellent and hopes are high it can get even better.
The Nazaríes are not far off of the top six and can qualify for next season’s Europa League but need to stay consistent to reach it. Prior to matchday 28, Granada had gone unbeaten in five of six La Liga matches.
Granada defeated Real Betis when they met earlier this season 1-0. Alvaro Vadilo scored a second-half goal for Granada to give them all three points. Granada are unbeaten in their last three matches versus Real Betis in La Liga.
The good news for Real Betis manager Rubi is the club have not lost either of their last two home games against Granada posting a win and draw.
Rubi has two player worries heading into the fixture. Midfielder Javi Garcia is recovering from a calf muscle strain. The midfielder missed Los Verdiblancos’ loss to Sevilla on Thursday night.
Real Betis are also without defender Juanmi. He is recovering from the coronavirus after testing positive for the illness in May.
Granada have a host of absentees heading into the Monday night match. Alex Martinez, Quini, and Neydar Lozano are all three ruled out until next season. Antonio Puerta should be fit to play after serving a one-match suspension. Angel Montoro could also be fit for the fixture.
Lozano has a tibia injury keeping him out. He hopes to continue with the club next season after a decent showing in 2019-20.
Matches between Real Betis and Granada have been historically fiery. Their last six matches in all competitions saw 38 yellow cards. That is an average of 6.3 yellow cards handed out per fixture.
In addition, the two sides have been given a total of seven red cards over the course of their last six games in all competitions. Their match from earlier this season was the only fixture from their last six to see zero red cards.
While the cards accumulated were high over those six games, the number of goals were too. Seventeen goals were scored by the clubs combined for an average of 2.8 per match.
Both clubs have a lot to play for on Monday night at the Benito Villamarin Stadium. Can Real Betis bounce back from a derby defeat or will Granada continue on toward a top-six finish?