Real Betis Bring Confidence, But Injuries Cloud Derby Build-Up
All eyes are on the Benito Villamarín as Real Betis get ready to face old foes Sevilla in the famous Seville derby. This isn’t just another match on the calendar—the rivalry pulses through the city, and right now, Betis fans have every right to feel optimistic about their chances. Betis are red-hot, riding the momentum of five straight La Liga wins, including a statement 2-1 victory over Real Madrid earlier in the month. They also cruised through to the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals, putting six goals past Vitoria de Guimaraes over two legs. It’s been a while since optimism felt this real around the green-and-white half of Seville.
Still, Manuel Pellegrini has a headache or two. The engine room is short on fuel: Johnny Cardoso, Giovani Lo Celso, and Marc Roca are all doubts after picking up knocks, and Angel Ortiz won’t make the squad. That’s a big problem, since much of Betis’s crisp passing and balance comes from this trio. Even so, Pellegrini looks set to stick with his trusted 4-2-3-1, banking on the creativity of Isco to fill the gaps. Attacking options like Antony and Cucho Hernández have stepped up recently, giving Betis a scoring edge they’ve lacked in previous derbies. With Adrian expected between the posts and a backline featuring Sabaly and Perraud, Betis won’t lack for grit in defense either.
Sevilla Search for Consistency as Betis Scent Opportunity
If things are humming along for Betis, Sevilla are still searching for a reliable tune. Under new coach Xavier García Pimienta, Sevilla have steadied enough to sit mid-table, which felt like a distant dream after their chaotic start to the season. The team has leaned heavily on Dodi Lukebakio’s spark up front—when he fails to deliver, chances dry up fast. Inconsistent is the only way to describe their recent patch: a 1-0 victory against Real Sociedad hinting at defensive improvement, but a narrow loss to Athletic Bilbao immediately reminding fans of their fragility at the back. They aren’t leaking goals, but they don’t scare anyone with their attack, either.
The derby’s history refuses to pick sides. Four of the previous five clashes have ended in draws—a sign of how cagey and intense these matches tend to be. Yet, the numbers all point to Betis this time. They’ve racked up 26 points at home this season, putting real pressure on visiting teams. And while Betis haven’t beaten Sevilla in their last 12 La Liga meetings, the home side’s current form—plus a buzzing crowd—offers their best shot in years to end that miserable streak. Of course, nerve and execution count for everything in derby matches, and with injuries muddying the waters, Pellegrini’s tactical tweaks will come under the microscope.
So, can Betis finally shake off their derby curse and turn the city green? With Sevilla searching for rhythm and Betis banking on home momentum, the stakes couldn’t be higher for this midfield-duel-turned-score-settler. For both sets of fans, this isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s about grabbing a foothold in a season that’s still full of possibility.
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