Match Overview

The La Liga Matchday 2 fixture between Real Betis and Alaves is scheduled for August 22nd at the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville. This comprehensive preview offers insights into team form, key statistics, and an expert prediction for the Real Betis vs Alaves encounter.

Real Betis Analysis

The Seville-based team began their campaign away against newly promoted Elche. Despite conceding ball control to their opponent, Manuel Pellegrini’s side secured a 1-1 draw. They had an opportunity to claim all three points but conceded the equalizer in the final ten minutes. Consequently, Real Betis is now winless in five consecutive league matches, recording four draws and one defeat.

Key Statistics for Real Betis

• Both teams have scored in the club’s last 12 La Liga matches.
• Real Betis has suffered only one defeat in their last eight league encounters, securing three wins and four draws.
• Precisely two or three goals were scored in six of the last eight home games for the Seville side in La Liga.

Real Betis Provisional Lineup (5-4-1)*

Pau Lopez – Nathan, Aitor Ruibal, Ricardo Rodriguez, Marc Bartra – Rodrigo Riquelme, Pablo Fornals, Sergi Altimira, Giovani Lo Celso – Cucho Hernandez.

Alaves Analysis

The Basque side started their season with a victory. Playing at home, Eduardo Coudet’s team overcame another La Liga newcomer, Levante, with a 2-1 scoreline. However, this win was hard-fought, with the decisive goal coming in the 92nd minute. Nonetheless, Alaves’ unbeaten streak in the league has now extended to four matches, comprising three wins and one draw.

Key Statistics for Alaves

• The team has not conceded more than one goal in their last 10 league matches.
• Alaves has lost only once in their last eight La Liga games, securing four wins and three draws.
• No more than two goals were scored in 10 of the Basque team’s previous 11 La Liga matches.

Alaves Provisional Lineup (4-4-2)*

Antonio Sivera – Facundo Garcés, Jonny, Nahuel Tenaglia, Victor Parada – Antonio Blanco, Jon Guridi, Pablo Ibañez, Carles Aleña – Toni Martinez, Carlos Vicente.

Match Prediction

This match pits two teams with contrasting playing styles against each other. The Seville team tends to be involved in high-scoring games, while the Basque side aims to keep matches tight and exploit counter-attacks for a decisive goal. I believe this encounter will be a high-scoring one, especially considering Real Betis’s matches have consistently featured at least two goals for a prolonged period.

In Manuel Pellegrini’s team’s previous 12 matches, there were at least two goals scored, and neither team left the field without finding the net. Real Betis scored in all their home games last season but conceded in 11 of their last 13 home matches in La Liga. Alaves, on their travels in the previous La Liga season, scored in 10 of their last 12 away matches, but conceded in 19 of their previous 21 away league games.

My prediction is: Total Over 2 with odds of 1.69.

* The starting lineup listed for each team is from their previous match in this tournament.