Athletic Bilbao will attempt to build on their recent improved form this weekend when they travel to face a Real Betis side who appear to be going in the opposite direction.
Athletic have had a poor season up until recently, but they moved up to 14th place in the standings following last weekend's 3-0 win at home to Sporting Gijon. That victory was only the Basque side's fourth success of the campaign, but two of those have come in the last three games and coach Joaquin Caparros wants more of the same at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium on Sunday.
"We have put a little run together and that is important, let's hope it continues," said Caparros, whose team are still searching for their first away win of the campaign.
Last season's corresponding fixture between these two sides ended in controversy when the match was abandoned in the 69th minute after Athletic goalkeeper Armando Ribeiro was struck by a bottle thrown from the stands, cutting him just below the right eye.
Athletic were awarded a 2-1 victory - the score they were leading by at the time - and Betis were given a two-match stadium ban, later reduced to one, in the wake of that incident.
Aitor Ocio was part of the Athletic side on that day and although the defender is not expecting a similar incident tomorrow, he is anticipating a typical reception from the Betis fans.
"Whatever the atmosphere there is, we must keep our minds focused on the match. I'm expecting a good atmosphere because their fans will support them and get behind them," said Ocio, who like coach Caparros is a former employee at Betis' local rivals Sevilla.
"The atmosphere there is not the easiest, and is often hostile, but in a sporting sense."
He added about the match: "Our motivation to do well is clear. We have been in a delicate situation, dangerous, and now we are in a better moment that we want to stay in. This must be our motivation."
Caparros, who was in charge of Sevilla for five seasons before moving to Deportivo La Coruna in 2005, will be without Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora through injury, but Pablo Orbaiz returns from suspension.
While Athletic are finally starting to climb the league, Betis are now sliding back down the standings.
They recently enjoyed an excellent run of five wins in six games to move into contention for a European place, but Paco Chaparro's side have now picked up just one point from the last three matches.
Last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid saw them drop back into the bottom half of the table, and Chaparro is hoping to eliminate the errors that are pulling his side back.
"Small things are causing the games to slip away," he said.
"The feelings of everyone who has seen Betis are that we could have five or six more points. Now we need to pick up some points to be a little more relaxed and higher in the table."
Mehmet Aurelio and Achille Emana are suspended and will not feature against Athletic, while wingers David Odonkor and Mark Gonzalez remain sidelined.
Athletic have had a poor season up until recently, but they moved up to 14th place in the standings following last weekend's 3-0 win at home to Sporting Gijon. That victory was only the Basque side's fourth success of the campaign, but two of those have come in the last three games and coach Joaquin Caparros wants more of the same at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium on Sunday.
"We have put a little run together and that is important, let's hope it continues," said Caparros, whose team are still searching for their first away win of the campaign.
Last season's corresponding fixture between these two sides ended in controversy when the match was abandoned in the 69th minute after Athletic goalkeeper Armando Ribeiro was struck by a bottle thrown from the stands, cutting him just below the right eye.
Athletic were awarded a 2-1 victory - the score they were leading by at the time - and Betis were given a two-match stadium ban, later reduced to one, in the wake of that incident.
Aitor Ocio was part of the Athletic side on that day and although the defender is not expecting a similar incident tomorrow, he is anticipating a typical reception from the Betis fans.
"Whatever the atmosphere there is, we must keep our minds focused on the match. I'm expecting a good atmosphere because their fans will support them and get behind them," said Ocio, who like coach Caparros is a former employee at Betis' local rivals Sevilla.
"The atmosphere there is not the easiest, and is often hostile, but in a sporting sense."
He added about the match: "Our motivation to do well is clear. We have been in a delicate situation, dangerous, and now we are in a better moment that we want to stay in. This must be our motivation."
Caparros, who was in charge of Sevilla for five seasons before moving to Deportivo La Coruna in 2005, will be without Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora through injury, but Pablo Orbaiz returns from suspension.
While Athletic are finally starting to climb the league, Betis are now sliding back down the standings.
They recently enjoyed an excellent run of five wins in six games to move into contention for a European place, but Paco Chaparro's side have now picked up just one point from the last three matches.
Last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid saw them drop back into the bottom half of the table, and Chaparro is hoping to eliminate the errors that are pulling his side back.
"Small things are causing the games to slip away," he said.
"The feelings of everyone who has seen Betis are that we could have five or six more points. Now we need to pick up some points to be a little more relaxed and higher in the table."
Mehmet Aurelio and Achille Emana are suspended and will not feature against Athletic, while wingers David Odonkor and Mark Gonzalez remain sidelined.
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