Real Betis will host Real Valladolid on Sunday at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. New manager Manuel Pellegrini claimed all three points on his debut. He will be hungry for more against Real Valladolid.
Real Valladolid managed a 1-1 draw at home to Real Sociedad on opening day. Michel scored in the 39th minute to give the Violet and White the lead. However, they conceded a second-half goal to Real Sociedad to end the day on level terms.
Pellegrini’s Betis claimed a 1-0 win on opening day against Alaves thanks to a second-half stoppage-time goal from Christian Tello. Real Betis outplayed their guests at the Villamarin posting 59% possession and 11 shots.
The home team do not have a great recent record against Real Valladolid. The Violet and White won both La Liga matches in 2019-20 against Real Betis. Real Valladolid outscored Betis 4-1 over the course of the 180 minutes of league football.
Real Valladolid have won three of their last four games versus Real Betis in La Liga. Real Betis’s only win against the Violet and White came away, 2-0, in February 2019.
Pellegrini has no new injuries heading into La Liga matchday 2. Real Valladolid manager Sergio has just one fitness issue. Kiko Olivas has a knee injury. He is out of action until March.
Although Real Betis claimed a 1-0 win versus Alaves, they finished the match with just a 0.34 expected goals total. Meanwhile, Alaves had a 1.18 expect goal figure.
Real Betis were creative in the final third. According to the DEEP stat (passes completed within 20 yards of the goal) Real Betis tallied four to Alaves’ one.
The White and Green were only expected 0.40 points on matchday 1 due to their stats. Pellegrini’s side certainly overachieved and can do it again this weekend at home.
Real Valladolid tallied an expected goal total of 0.86 on matchday 1. They allowed over 10 passes per defensive action when Real Sociedad were in possession.
The Violet and White underachieved on matchday 1 claiming just one point from an expected point total of 1.95. Can Real Valladolid improve against Real Betis and claim another positive result?
Pellegrini set up Real Betis in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It is the manager’s preferred formation. The duel defensive midfield provides protection to the Real Betis back four.
Real Betis should end their two-match losing streak to Real Valladolid with a draw. Can Pellegrini turn Real Betis into a European place contender? A draw against Real Valladolid with under 2.5 goals scored should help their chances.