Malaga will be hoping to continue their impressive season as they travel to Real Betis on Sunday night.
Poor Run
Real Betis go into this game on the back of some disastrous form, which has seen them pick up a solitary point from their last five league games. That came at home against a struggling Espanyol side, in yet another match which Betis should have won, yet somehow contrived to drop points in. It has been a similar story for them all season; most observers would agree that their performances - profligate finishing notwithstanding - deserve better.
Despite their recent troubles, Betis occupy a reasonably safe 15th position, which is an indication of how well they started the season. With 18th placed Espanyol only four points away, however, Los Beticos need to make the most out of home games such as this one. Unfortunately for them, they have only won two of their eight home games, while they already have three wins on the road.
Real Betis may not score many goals, but they don't concede a lot either. With 21 goals for and 23 against, they have one of the most even records in the division in this regard. The key, therefore, is to improve their attacking play whilst not compromising on their relative defensive prowess. Implementing such a skill, of course, is easier said than done.
Flying High
Of the three teams promoted to La Liga this season, most tipped Malaga as the most likely to drop straight back down. Their signings failed to excite the neutrals and the side in general was thought to be too pedestrian to survive La Liga. Yet, 17 games in, they find themselves sitting pretty in eight place, with an outside chance of qualifying for Europe.
Malaga's success this season has been based around tried and tested campaigners like Duda and Luque, who have proven themselves in this division in the past. While such players may not possess the flair of many plying their trade for clubs below them, they deliver consistent and dependable performances, allowing Antonio Tapia to work with a settled side and formation.
Unlike Betis, however, Malaga do not find things as easy on their travels. With only two wins on the road, it is their home form that is keeping them in their lofty position. A trip to the Manuel Lopez de Lopera, therefore, may not be a walk in the park at all.
FORM GUIDE
Real Betis
WON 1-0 (A) Real Union (Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg, January 07)
LOST 1-0 (A) Almeria (La Liga Matchday 17, January 04)
LOST 1-0 (H) Athletic Bilbao (La Liga Matchday 16, December 21)
LOST 2-0 (A) Atletico Madrid (La Liga Matchday 15, December 14)
DREW 1-1 (H) Espanyol (La Liga Matchday 14, December 07)
Malaga
WON 1-0 (H) Sporting Gijon (La Liga Matchday 17, January 04)
DREW 1-1 (A) Racing Santander (La Liga Matchday 16, December 21)
WON 2-0 (H) Numancia (La Liga Matchday 15, December 14)
LOST 2-0 (A) Deportivo La Coruna (La Liga Matchday 14, December 07)
WON 4-2 (H) Osasuna (La Liga Matchday 13, November 30)
TEAM NEWS
Real Betis
Paco Chaparro will definitely be without Monzon and Capi for this game. Edu, Mark González and David Odonkor are back in training, but it remains to be seen whether they will be brought back for this game.
Probable Starting XI - Casto - Nelson, Juanito, Arzu, Vega - Damia, Emana, Aurelio, Rivera - Juanma - Sergio García
Malaga
Antonio Tapia has comparatively less problems to deal with, with only Rossato ruled out.
Probable Starting XI - Goitía - Nacho, Rosario, Welington, Gámez - Duda, Lolo, Apoño, Eliseu - Adrián, Baha
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Betis - Achille Emana has been by far and away the best player for the team this season, and is the main reason that they are currently avoiding the drop. As if providing his steely presence in midfield was not enough, he is also the clubs pichichi, having scored six goals already.
Malaga - He may not be a household name yet, but Nabil Baha has been one of the revelations of the season so far, having already netted seven goals. If Malaga are to get anything out of this encounter, he will need to be on top form.
Poor Run
Real Betis go into this game on the back of some disastrous form, which has seen them pick up a solitary point from their last five league games. That came at home against a struggling Espanyol side, in yet another match which Betis should have won, yet somehow contrived to drop points in. It has been a similar story for them all season; most observers would agree that their performances - profligate finishing notwithstanding - deserve better.
Despite their recent troubles, Betis occupy a reasonably safe 15th position, which is an indication of how well they started the season. With 18th placed Espanyol only four points away, however, Los Beticos need to make the most out of home games such as this one. Unfortunately for them, they have only won two of their eight home games, while they already have three wins on the road.
Real Betis may not score many goals, but they don't concede a lot either. With 21 goals for and 23 against, they have one of the most even records in the division in this regard. The key, therefore, is to improve their attacking play whilst not compromising on their relative defensive prowess. Implementing such a skill, of course, is easier said than done.
Flying High
Of the three teams promoted to La Liga this season, most tipped Malaga as the most likely to drop straight back down. Their signings failed to excite the neutrals and the side in general was thought to be too pedestrian to survive La Liga. Yet, 17 games in, they find themselves sitting pretty in eight place, with an outside chance of qualifying for Europe.
Malaga's success this season has been based around tried and tested campaigners like Duda and Luque, who have proven themselves in this division in the past. While such players may not possess the flair of many plying their trade for clubs below them, they deliver consistent and dependable performances, allowing Antonio Tapia to work with a settled side and formation.
Unlike Betis, however, Malaga do not find things as easy on their travels. With only two wins on the road, it is their home form that is keeping them in their lofty position. A trip to the Manuel Lopez de Lopera, therefore, may not be a walk in the park at all.
FORM GUIDE
Real Betis
WON 1-0 (A) Real Union (Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg, January 07)
LOST 1-0 (A) Almeria (La Liga Matchday 17, January 04)
LOST 1-0 (H) Athletic Bilbao (La Liga Matchday 16, December 21)
LOST 2-0 (A) Atletico Madrid (La Liga Matchday 15, December 14)
DREW 1-1 (H) Espanyol (La Liga Matchday 14, December 07)
Malaga
WON 1-0 (H) Sporting Gijon (La Liga Matchday 17, January 04)
DREW 1-1 (A) Racing Santander (La Liga Matchday 16, December 21)
WON 2-0 (H) Numancia (La Liga Matchday 15, December 14)
LOST 2-0 (A) Deportivo La Coruna (La Liga Matchday 14, December 07)
WON 4-2 (H) Osasuna (La Liga Matchday 13, November 30)
TEAM NEWS
Real Betis
Paco Chaparro will definitely be without Monzon and Capi for this game. Edu, Mark González and David Odonkor are back in training, but it remains to be seen whether they will be brought back for this game.
Probable Starting XI - Casto - Nelson, Juanito, Arzu, Vega - Damia, Emana, Aurelio, Rivera - Juanma - Sergio García
Malaga
Antonio Tapia has comparatively less problems to deal with, with only Rossato ruled out.
Probable Starting XI - Goitía - Nacho, Rosario, Welington, Gámez - Duda, Lolo, Apoño, Eliseu - Adrián, Baha
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Betis - Achille Emana has been by far and away the best player for the team this season, and is the main reason that they are currently avoiding the drop. As if providing his steely presence in midfield was not enough, he is also the clubs pichichi, having scored six goals already.
Malaga - He may not be a household name yet, but Nabil Baha has been one of the revelations of the season so far, having already netted seven goals. If Malaga are to get anything out of this encounter, he will need to be on top form.
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