Elche Vs Real Betis
Elche Vs Real Betis Sunday 4th April 2021 – 15:15
Spanish La Liga
Pick: Elche or Draw
Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Unibet
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 1st April 2021)
Preview: An important contest at opposite ends of Spain’s La Liga table pits Elche, in 17th, against Real Betis, in 6th, in a contest the visitors are expected to win despite doing so only once on six prior visits in all competitions.
Spanish La Liga Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Elche – La Liga survival dependent on home form?
With the teams currently languishing in the lower reaches of La Liga finding wins elusive of late, it could be argued that Elche (W5 D10 L13) are only out of trouble for the timebeing on account of their rivals’ inadequacies. According to Infogol’s Expected Goals model, though, Los Franjiverdes possess the worst process in La Liga, and can consider themselves extremely fortunate to be as high as they are.
Elche resume in 17th and with a mere two points worth of breathing space on the sides beneath them. Just like the battle for Europe, the scrap for survival is also set to go right down to the wire. Working in Elche’s favour, however, is the fact they’ve won twice since the turn of the year – one more than Eibar and Alaves, in 18th and 19th – with both wins coming at their Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero in the south east of Spain.
In fact, Los Franjiverdes are seeking their third straight home win on Sunday following recent success against fellow strugglers Eibar and, more impressively, a 2-1 triumph over Real Betis’ fierce local rivals, Sevilla. Both have come since the return of coach Fran Escriba, unbeaten across his three home games so far. Meanwhile the likes of Villarreal (2-2) and even Real Madrid (1-1) have dropped points here this term.
Real Betis – Pellegrino’s men honing in on Europa League?
Five wins in six La Liga matches for Real Betis (W14 D3 L11) who continue to stake their claim for a return to European competition with some inspired performances in the second half of the campaign. A 2-0 victory over Levante prior to the recent break making it eight wins since the turn of the year (D2 L2), while only Barcelona and Real Madrid have accrued more points across their last dozen fixtures.
This form has catapulted Manuel Pellegrino’s side into sixth, level on points with fifth place Real Sociedad with the pair two clear of Villarreal. It promises to be an intense battle for the European places this season. On current form, Los Verdiblancos simply must be taken seriously. They’ll be confident of another set of three points on Sunday as well, having won three of the last five away from home (D1 L1).
Among their recent triumphs on the road include facing similar opposition in the shape of Cadiz and Huesca, with the sides in 15th and 20th – Elche reside in the middle of these teams in 17th – downed 1-0 and 2-0 respectively courtesy of late goals. They can also count themselves unlucky to have tasted defeat in their latest away assignment: an undeserved 1-0 loss in the Seville derby (SEV 0.54 – 0.82 RLB).
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Elche Vs Real Betis Betting Advice
In their last twelve La Liga matches, only the big two of Barcelona and Real Madrid have picked up more points than Real Betis. Los Verdiblancos are finishing the season strongly, therefore, under former Premier League winning manager Manuel Pellegrini. His side registering five wins from the last six rounds, three of which without conceding a goal. So the visitors deserve to be favourites for this, although the win is far from being a formality.
Elche Vs Real Betis – Key Facts:
- The reverse fixture was easily won by Real Betis, scoring three times from chances equating to 3.63xG. Elche mustered 0.74xG but did net a consolation in a 3-1 loss.
- Elche are hosting Real Betis for only the seventh time, and only the second in La Liga (first ended 0-0 in 2014). Real Betis have won only one of these fixtures (W1 D4 L1).
- Four of the current top seven sides in La Liga failed to win away to Elche in 2020/21. Los Franjiverdes are unbeaten in the last three at home, with Argentine Guido Carrillo on target each time.
Elche away has proved problematic for some of Spain’s very best this season. Of those currently seventh or higher, only Barcelona and Real Sociedad departed victorious; Real Madrid and Villarreal had to settle for a point, while Betis’ neighbours Sevilla were beaten 2-1 last time out here. Furthermore, the hosts are unbeaten in the last three at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero and rarely fire a blank, netting in nine of thirteen La Liga home games in 2020/21.
Best Betting Odds – Elche Vs Real Betis
Elche – 18/5 (BetFred)
Draw – 11/4 (Bet365)
Real Betis – 5/6 (Betfair)
