Real Betis vs Elche – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | La Liga 2022-23

Arsenal-Nabil-Fekir-Real-Betis

Real Betis will begin their 2022/23 La Liga season with a visit from Elche this Monday. 

Venue: Estadio Benito Villamarín (Sevilla)

Key Statistics

Real Betis have recorded just one opening-day win across their last seven La Liga seasons (D2, L4). 

The hosts are unbeaten in their last three league games.

Eight of the last nine LL H2Hs have seen the half-time scoreline margin replicated at full-time.

Elche failed to score in three of their last four La Liga games. 

The visitors scored just 16 goals last season away from home. Only five sides recorded fewer away league goals.

Head to head

Both sides have shared three wins apiece in their last nine head-to-head meetings. 

Latest performances in all competitions

Betis: W-D-L-D-L

Elche: W-L-L-W-W

Real Betis  

After narrowly missing out on a place in the top four last season, Real Betis will look to go again this season, beginning with a win against Elche in their curtain-raiser.

The hosts looked well on course to claim a first top-three La Liga finish since 1995 last term, but a smattering of four goalless draws across their last ten league games ensured that UEFA Champions League football would prove elusive once again as the Verdiblancos finished a mere fifth.

They come into the new season looking to try to secure a top-four finish for the first time since 2005 this season. But without many personnel changes, it remains a question on the lips of Betis as to how coach Manuel Pellegrini will achieve a top-four finish when the likes of Atletico Madrid and Sevilla remain a major force.

But Pellegrini remains a pragmatic coach who loves to keep a small happy squad. Although his decision not to strengthen has left a section of the club’s support angry, the former Manchester City man will feel he has the tools to mount another push for a top four bid given that his key players remain within the club.

Possible Betis starting line-up

Claudio Bravo; Youssouf Sabaly, Marc Bartra, Marc Bartra, Alex Moreno; Guido Rodriguez, William Carvalho; Juanmi Jimenez, Nabil Fekir, Sergio Canales; Borja Iglesias.

Injured: None  

Doubtful: None  

Suspended: None 

Elche

After finishing a respectable 13th place last season, Elche will look to climb even further up the table this season. 

The visitors have maintained their status in La Liga for two straight seasons now and can be confident of defying the odds again this time.

Francisco’s side defied the odds in this fixture last season when they beat Betis 1-0, adding a huge scalp to their admirable win rate of 29% as pre-match underdogs in league action last term (W9, D5, L17) – the best amongst eventual bottom-half teams.

He will be hoping that the additions of forwards Ezequiel Ponce and Roger Martí, who both arrived for a total of £6.3m, will help shore up his forward line that scored 52 goals in the league last season. 

Possible Elche starting line-up

Edgar Badia;Helibelton Palacios, Enzo Roco, Pedro Bigas, Johan Mojica; Gerard Gumbau, Omar Mascarell, Fidel, Josan; Pere Milla, Ezequiel Ponce.

Injured: Gonzalo Verdu, Jony Alamo

Doubtful: None  

Suspended: None 

Prediction

Betis 2-0 Elche