La Liga: Espanyol and Betis are Jostling for Position

Espanyol vs Real Betis

Seventh faces sixth at the RCDE Stadium on Sunday when the La Liga match between Espanyol and Real Betis kicks off in front of 25,000 passionate Catalonian fans, all hoping for a timely victory.  

Manolo Gonzalez’s Espanyol are without a win in three, while visitors Betis have picked up back-to-back positive La Liga 2025 results, which lock the two teams together on 12 points from seven games in a congested chasing pack. Only three points separate Elche in fourth from Athletic Club in 10th, and you wouldn’t bet against those two teams passing each other over the next couple of weeks.

Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini is a wily customer, and having led Los Verdiblancos to sixth place and European football last term, the former Manchester City boss will make sure they are in the mix again this season. But after a 14th-place finish last year and with new, ambitious owners, ALK Capital, Los Periquitos are looking up.      

 

Talking Points

Espanyol looking to recapture their early-season momentum

Having achieved promotion back to the Primera Division in 2024, Espanyol finished 14^th last season, just two points above the drop zone, and this year they are looking for consolidation, or more, after a very encouraging start. Los Periquitos set off like a train, picking up 10 points from their first four games, with an eye-catching win over Atletico Madrid, followed up by victories over Osasuna and Real Mallorca, and a draw against Real Sociedad.    

But a clash with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu turned out to be a step too far, as goals from Eder Militao and Kylian Mbappe gave Los Blancos a 2-0 win. The following Tuesday, Espanyol had to battle hard to scrap out a 2-2 draw with Valencia, twice coming from behind, as Javi Puado scored a 96th-minute leveller. And then a 0-0 stalemate was a hugely frustrating outcome for Gonzalez’s men, as they rained down 20 shots on the Girona goal and five on target but without success.

The return of Pere Milla from suspension strengthened Los Periquitos’ attack. The veteran striker has scored three goals in five games, while wide-man Puado has been a lively customer, scoring two goals as well as providing the ammunition for Milla and Kike Garcia.      

The La Liga 2025 betting odds say this is a game they can win as marginal favourites, but the hosts need to have their shooting boots on.

 

Real Betis on a roll

Los Verdiblancos have quickly settled into the sixth position they finished in last season, and they are currently on an upward trend, moving up to 12 points thanks to last week’s comfortable 2-0 win over Osasuna.

After collecting five points from their first three league games, Pellegrini’s men were beaten at home by top six rivals Athletic Bilbao just before the last international break. But they came back refreshed and, after battling for a 2-2 draw away to Levante, Los Verdiblancos beat Real Sociedad and Osasuna at home.

They have also been in the Europa League action and have been doing pretty well there, too. Antony scored a late leveller as Betis drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest in the Europa League, and on Thursday, Betis won away to Ludogorets, as attacking midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso got the ball rolling with a first-half goal.

So, with five games unbeaten under their belts, Betis are in good shape and in a confident mood, though their hosts have had longer to prepare for this match.

Pellegrini has experienced defender Hector Bellerin, who has been out with an illness, back in the mix. Pablo Fornals, who made an assist last week, is expected to keep his place in midfield. Up front, Cucho Hernandez will lead the line, with Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli out wide in a vibrant and dangerous front three.            

 

History

Los Verdiblancos have edged the head-to-heads with 13 wins in all matches since 2003, while Los Periquitos have won 10, and there have been 14 draws. 

In terms of recent form, both teams have won two, drawn three, and lost one of the last six.   

 

Betting Tip

This is a match that can go either way, with Espanyol at SBOTOP odds of 2.55, Betis at 2.63, and the draw at 3.30.

Seven of the last 12 games involving either of these two teams have yielded three goals or more, with three others seeing two, so I think the value is in a game with goals. It’s certainly going to be a fascinating watch.

   

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