Villarreal will be looking to return to winning ways in La Liga when they continue their 2020-21 campaign away to Real Betis on Sunday afternoon.
The Yellow Submarine are currently third in the table, having made an impressive start to the season, while Betis, who have struggled for consistency this term, occupy eighth.
Match preview
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No team in Spain's top flight has lost more matches than Betis this season, with Manuel Pellegrini's side suffering seven defeats in their 12 fixtures. Five victories have allowed the team to gather 15 points, though, and left them in eighth position in the table despite their issues in 2020-21.
The Seville outfit lost three straight games to Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Eibar between November 7 and November 30 before returning to winning ways away to Osasuna last weekend.
It is difficult to know what to expect from a side that has not drawn a single match this season, but there is no question that they have the ability to cause any team in the league issues.
Betis also have the worst defensive record in Spain's top flight this season, conceding 23 times in their 12 matches, but they have managed to score 14 goals down the other end.
Villarreal have won three of the last four La Liga meetings between the two sides, including a 2-0 victory in the corresponding game last term, but Betis did win this fixture 2-1 during the 2018-19 season.
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Villarreal, as mentioned, currently sit third in the table, having picked up 21 points from their 12 matches this season, recording five wins, six draws and one defeat.
The Yellow Submarine have drawn each of their last three in the league, though, sharing the points with Real Madrid and Real Sociedad towards the end of November, before playing out a goalless draw with Elche.
Unai Emery's side have also booked their spot in the knockout round of the Europa League, although they technically still have one more group game to play, having seen their clash with Qarabag cancelled after a coronavirus outbreak in the Azerbaijani outfit's squad.
Villarreal will certainly be looking to challenge for a top-four spot in La Liga this season, and a win over Betis on Sunday would lead them nicely into three tricky games with Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla.
Real Betis La Liga form: LWLLLW
Villarreal La Liga form: DWWDDD
Villarreal form (all competitions): WDDDWD
Team News
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Betis should be able to welcome two key players back into their starting XI this weekend with Claudio Bravo expected to overcome an injury problem and Aissa Mandi available following coronavirus.
Victor Camarasa and Sergio Canales remain unavailable for selection, but the Seville club did not pick up any fresh issues in the win over Osasuna on December 6.
Borja Iglesias could come into the XI following his goal last weekend, while Aitor Ruibal is expected to be given the nod over Joaquin in a wide area.
As for Villarreal, Carlos Bacca and Paco Alcacer are both injured, meaning that Gerard Moreno should again lead the attack with support from Samuel Chukwueze.
Alfonso Pedraza is also pushing for a start, potentially at the expense of Alex Baena, but Emery is not expected to make major changes from the side that started against Elche.
Vicente Iborra should again be joined by Dani Parejo and Manu Trigueros in the middle of the park, while Pervis Estupinan is expected to continue at left-back.
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Bravo; Emerson, Mandi, Bartra, Moreno; Carvalho, Guardado, Rodriguez; Ruibal, Iglesias, Fekir
Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Asenjo; Gaspar, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan; Parejo, Iborra, Trigueros; Chukwueze, G Moreno, Pedraza
We say: Real Betis 1-1 Villarreal
Betis are yet to draw a league match this season, but we fancy the two teams to share the points on Sunday. Villarreal are missing some key players in the final third of the field, and a point for the Yellow Submarine would not be the worst result in the world under the circumstances.
