Joralexray Garcia
Saturday’s action of La Liga matchday 18 will continue with this Espanyol vs Real Betis clash, two teams that are separated by ten points in the standings and are fighting for very different things. Last season these teams put on a great show in their two meetings, with each of those matches registering at least four goals, so this match promises to be one of high intensity.
Without further ado, at JefeBet we bring you the preview for this Espanyol vs Real Betis, where you will have access to the available betting odds and our predictions for this game as well as for many other games from the different leagues around the world.
Predictions, Odds, and Betting Preview for the Espanyol vs Real Betis La Liga Matchday 18 Game on January 21, 2023
- Where: RCDE Stadium, Cornellá de Llobregat, Spain.
- When: Saturday, January 21, 2023, 10:15 AM E.T.
- UnibetMoneyline: Espanyol (+185) / Empate (+245) / Real Betis (+160)
- Unibet Asian Handicap: Espanyol (AH +0.25, -164) / Real Betis (AH -0.25, +125)
- Unibet Over/Under (2.5): Over (+123), Under (-150)
- Both teams score from Unibet: Yes (-108) / No (-117)
Espanyol Preview
Espanyol’s season has been tough so far, and although they come into this game after falling painfully in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey (1-0 vs. Athletic Club). Perhaps that is a result that will help them focus on their main objective, to maintain the category, given that they occupy 14th place in the standings but are only two points away from the relegation zone.
The blue team has not lost in the league so far during 2023 and will be in high spirits after breaking a four-game winless streak with an important away win over Getafe last weekend. That match also marked the Catalan team’s first victory at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez after ten years and gave them the opportunity to get out of the red zone.
However, returning to the RCDE Stadium may be more of a cause for concern than joy for Espanyol fans, given that their team has won only one of its eight home games this campaign, making it the second worst home team in La Liga (six points), along with Sevilla..
Possibe lineup (3-4-3): Álvaro Fernandez, César Calero, Fernando Montes, Leandro Cabrera, Aleix Vidal, Vinicius Souza, Sergi Darder, Óscar Olivan, Martín Braithwaite, Joselu, Javier Puado.
Real Betis Preview
Real Betis comes into this clash under similar circumstances, having also been defeated in midweek in the Copa del Rey. However, that elimination leaves them with more than a bitter taste, considering that it was on penalties and after being up on the scoreboard on two occasions. To make matters worse, the equalizer came at 90+1 of regular time, and in 106 minutes of extra time.
Despite this, there is no time for regrets for Manuel Pellegrini’s team, with the Europa League playoffs just around the corner and in the fight for the European places. For this reason, they need to keep racking up victories that will help them in the fight for fourth place in the standings, as they are in a three-way tie in that position, but have disadvantages in goal difference.
The defense has been the main key for the Andalusian team this season, as only Barcelona (6) has conceded fewer goals than Betis (13) before the start of this match. However, they have struggled to be productive in front of goal, with their 1-2 win over Rayo Vallecano last game, snapping a run of two league games without a goal.
Possible lineup (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva, Youssouf Sabaly, Luiz Felipe, Germán Pezzella, Álex Moreno, William Carvalho, Andrés Guardado, Luiz Henrique, Nabir Fekir, Sergio Canales, Borja Iglesias.
JefeBet Prediction
Despite having problems in attack, 2023 seems to have brought some changes for Betis. They have scored at least two goals in the four official matches they have played since the turn of the year. This positive moment could well continue against an Espanyol side that has conceded the most home goals in the Spanish league (15).
In addition, Betis is one of the teams that has conceded the fewest goals on the road, and with a record of just one defeat in their last eight away games, they will be confident heading into this match against a team that is fighting for relegation.
Both in terms of squad and game Real Betis seems a superior team to Espanyol, so while we expect to see an entertaining and evenly matched game, we are confident that Betis will be able to exploit the Catalans’ home weaknesses and take the win from this clash.
Prediction: Betis wins (ESP 0 – 1 BET).
Odds shown are courtesy of Unibet. Check out our reviews!
