Recreativo de Huelva and Real Betis will be hoping to increase the gap between themselves and the relegation zone when they clash on Sunday night.
Recre Resurgence
It is not that long ago that many punters had their money on Recreativo de Huelva for the drop, but a recent unbeaten run of three games has seen them break free of the bottom of the table. Still, 16th place is far from a safe position, and the five points that separate them from the relegation zone are precarious at best. It is vital, therefore, for Recreativo to continue this impressive run.
The major problem for Recre has been trying to find a way to score goals. With just 17, Recreativo, along with Espanyol, have scored the least goals in the league. Their defence is not as much of a disaster, with nine teams having conceded more than the 28 they have let in.
Recreativo started their season in excellent fashion, defeating Real Betis 1-0 at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera. It proved to be a false dawn, however, as they failed to win any of their next ten games. Should Recre claim the three points again, they will need to ensure that it is not just a flash in the pan.
Broken Run
Unfortunately for Real Betis, this season has had a familiar theme to it, with the Andalucians constantly striving to stay away from the drop zone. Seven games without a win complicated matters, but Betis bounced back last weekend with an impressive 3-1 win at Real Valladolid. Paco Chaparro will have to ensure that Los Beticos continue to rack up the points, for the fans can surely not endure another nail-biting finish to the season.
Betis are still alive in another competition, but only just. They lost the first leg of their Copa Del Rey quarter-final 1-0 to Mallorca, and face an uphill task if they are to qualify for the semis. While the prestige of any trophy is always welcome, there are plenty who would regard elimination as a blessing in disguise for a thin Betis squad than can ill afford yet more fixtures.
With four wins on the road, Real Betis are one of the few sides that appear more comfortable away from home. Indeed, only four teams have a better record on their travels. Clearly, Betis enjoy playing without the pressure of their demanding fans breathing down on them.
FORM GUIDE
Recreativo de Huelva
WON 2-0 (H) Sporting Gijon (La Liga Matchday 19, January 18)
DREW 1-1 (A) Racing Santander (La Liga Matchday 18, January 11)
WON 3-1 (H) Numancia (La Liga Matchday 17, January 04)
LOST 4-1 (A) Deportivo La Coruña (La Liga Matchday 16, December 21)
WON 1-0 (H) Osasuna (La Liga Matchday 15, December 14)
Real Betis
LOST 1-0 (A) Real Mallorca (Copa del Rey Quarter Finals First Leg, January 22)
WON 3-1 (A) Real Valladolid (La Liga Matchday 19, January 18)
WON 1-0 (H) Real Unión (Copa del Rey Round of 16 Second Leg, January 14)
LOST 2-1 (H) Malaga (La Liga Matchday 18, January 11)
WON 1-0 (A) Real Unión (Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg, January 07)
TEAM NEWS
Recreativo de Huelva - Lucas Alcaraz has no major injury concerns.
Probable Starting XI - Riesgo - Casado, Arzo, Morris, Bouzón - Aitor, Barber, Javi Fuego, Sisi - Camuñas, Adrián Colunga
Real Betis - Paco Chaparro will be without Mariano Pavone for three weeks, as well as Capi who is out for the rest of the season with a broken leg. Edu and Nelsón are also unavailable.
Probable Starting XI - Ricardo - Ilic, Juanito, Rivas, Vega - Arzu, Aurelio, Rivera, Damià - Xisco, Sergio García
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Recreativo de Huelva - With six goals, Ádrian Colunga is Recre's top scorer, in a season when goals have been hard to come by. He will have to increase his tally in the second half of the season if Recre are to stay clear of the relegation battle.
Real Betis - Sergio García has scored five goals this season, including two sublime strikes last weekend. The striker is showing signs of the form that earned him a trip to Euro 2008, and will be hoping to add to his tally this weekend.
Recre Resurgence
It is not that long ago that many punters had their money on Recreativo de Huelva for the drop, but a recent unbeaten run of three games has seen them break free of the bottom of the table. Still, 16th place is far from a safe position, and the five points that separate them from the relegation zone are precarious at best. It is vital, therefore, for Recreativo to continue this impressive run.
The major problem for Recre has been trying to find a way to score goals. With just 17, Recreativo, along with Espanyol, have scored the least goals in the league. Their defence is not as much of a disaster, with nine teams having conceded more than the 28 they have let in.
Recreativo started their season in excellent fashion, defeating Real Betis 1-0 at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera. It proved to be a false dawn, however, as they failed to win any of their next ten games. Should Recre claim the three points again, they will need to ensure that it is not just a flash in the pan.
Broken Run
Unfortunately for Real Betis, this season has had a familiar theme to it, with the Andalucians constantly striving to stay away from the drop zone. Seven games without a win complicated matters, but Betis bounced back last weekend with an impressive 3-1 win at Real Valladolid. Paco Chaparro will have to ensure that Los Beticos continue to rack up the points, for the fans can surely not endure another nail-biting finish to the season.
Betis are still alive in another competition, but only just. They lost the first leg of their Copa Del Rey quarter-final 1-0 to Mallorca, and face an uphill task if they are to qualify for the semis. While the prestige of any trophy is always welcome, there are plenty who would regard elimination as a blessing in disguise for a thin Betis squad than can ill afford yet more fixtures.
With four wins on the road, Real Betis are one of the few sides that appear more comfortable away from home. Indeed, only four teams have a better record on their travels. Clearly, Betis enjoy playing without the pressure of their demanding fans breathing down on them.
FORM GUIDE
Recreativo de Huelva
WON 2-0 (H) Sporting Gijon (La Liga Matchday 19, January 18)
DREW 1-1 (A) Racing Santander (La Liga Matchday 18, January 11)
WON 3-1 (H) Numancia (La Liga Matchday 17, January 04)
LOST 4-1 (A) Deportivo La Coruña (La Liga Matchday 16, December 21)
WON 1-0 (H) Osasuna (La Liga Matchday 15, December 14)
Real Betis
LOST 1-0 (A) Real Mallorca (Copa del Rey Quarter Finals First Leg, January 22)
WON 3-1 (A) Real Valladolid (La Liga Matchday 19, January 18)
WON 1-0 (H) Real Unión (Copa del Rey Round of 16 Second Leg, January 14)
LOST 2-1 (H) Malaga (La Liga Matchday 18, January 11)
WON 1-0 (A) Real Unión (Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg, January 07)
TEAM NEWS
Recreativo de Huelva - Lucas Alcaraz has no major injury concerns.
Probable Starting XI - Riesgo - Casado, Arzo, Morris, Bouzón - Aitor, Barber, Javi Fuego, Sisi - Camuñas, Adrián Colunga
Real Betis - Paco Chaparro will be without Mariano Pavone for three weeks, as well as Capi who is out for the rest of the season with a broken leg. Edu and Nelsón are also unavailable.
Probable Starting XI - Ricardo - Ilic, Juanito, Rivas, Vega - Arzu, Aurelio, Rivera, Damià - Xisco, Sergio García
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Recreativo de Huelva - With six goals, Ádrian Colunga is Recre's top scorer, in a season when goals have been hard to come by. He will have to increase his tally in the second half of the season if Recre are to stay clear of the relegation battle.
Real Betis - Sergio García has scored five goals this season, including two sublime strikes last weekend. The striker is showing signs of the form that earned him a trip to Euro 2008, and will be hoping to add to his tally this weekend.
In fact he and Juanma are the best of Betis in the first half.
(=even in defeat!)
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