Bitesize Prediction: Elche vs Real Betis

Competition: La Liga

Market: Real Betis win

Odds: 21/20 @ 888sport

Hoping to move within touching distance of the top-four this weekend, Real Betis will make the trip to Elche on Friday night.

Starting with the hosts, although Elche might have shocked everyone across Spain earlier in the month as they opened February with a 3-1 victory against Villarreal, Pablo Machin’s side have proven that was just a minor boost. Enduring what has been a public La Liga nightmare this season, Los Franjiverdes are freefalling towards a Segunda return in 2023. Sat rock-bottom of the table and already 13 points adrift of safety, the one-time Sevilla boss has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders. Along with suffering a routine 4-0 drumming away at Spanish icons Real Madrid on February 15th, Elche were last seen putting in another downbeat display. Eventually getting hit with a 1-0 defeat at home against Espanyol, the leading relegation scrappers should be bracing themselves for another real challenge on Friday night.

As for the visitors, last seen putting in another eye-catching display as they claimed a 2-1 victory at home against Valladolid, Real Betis are enjoying a stellar domestic purple patch this season. Knowing that another win here would move them within just three points of breaking into the Champions League spots, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have bounced back from their wobble when opening February. Now securing back-to-back La Liga wins, the Seville-based outfit are rightfully tipped as a standout pick on Friday night.
Smelling the chance to lay down another marker on their travels, Betis should also be boosted by their rampant previous meeting against Elche. Claiming a 3-0 victory when they welcomed the leading relegation scrappers to the Estadio Benito Villamarín back in August, we’re expecting a similar away win here.