Both Real Betis and Celta Vigo start this weekend in the bottom half of La Liga having lost their first game of the season. Real Betis finished 15th in La Liga last season and avoided relegation, which had to be the main aim. With 10 wins from their 38 games, they finished 8 points clear of the relegation zone but 6 points behind opponents Celta Vigo.
Celta Vigo ended the 2016/17 La Liga season in 13th place with 45 points from their 38 games. An extra 2 points would have lifted them to 11th place but they were well short of breaking into the top half of the table, finishing 9 points behind 10th place Eibar.
Real Betis Form
There are two games all La Liga teams hope to avoid on the opening day of the season and that’s Real Madrid and Barcelona away. Unfortunately for Real Betis, they were paired with the latter at the Camp Nou and inevitably lost the match 2-0. However, the result could have been much worse and to have already been to Barcelona this early in the season may come as bonus later in the campaign.
The defeat in Barcelona means it is now 6 games without a win in La Liga for Real Betis, a run which stretches back to last season. They have also won just 2 of their previous 10 home La Liga games and kept 2 clean sheets in their last 7 at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Celta Vigo Form
Celta Vigo were hoping to get the new season off to a great start at home to Real Sociedad but it wasn’t to be. Despite taking the lead twice in the match they allowed the visitors back into the game and surrendered a 2-1 lead with just 10 minutes left on the clock. Juan Carlos Unzue will be hoping for a more disciplined display in this match.
Much like their hosts, Celta Vigo have struggled to win games in La Liga and going back to last season have failed to win any of their last 8 league games. There have been 7 defeats and 1 draw, in what is a terrible run of form and they cannot allow that to continue into this campaign if they are to stay clear of the relegation zone.
Team News
Javi Garcia could start this match for Real Betis having come off the bench against Barcelona and would join Andres Guardado in midfield. Cristian Tello may start of the left side of attack, making his debut for the club. Celta Vigo must continue without striker John Guidetti who is injured. Maxi Gomez will keep his place in attack, having scored 2 goals last week and will be joined by Iago Aspas.
Top Betting Tips
Real Betis are the bookies favourites for this game but despite losing last week, Celta Vigo have the more settled look about them. Neither team have been good at winning games in La Liga and the draw seems a logical outcome. The draw is 9/4 with Ladbrokes. Including preseason matches, 11 of Celta Vigo’s last 12 games have seen over 2.5 goals and the same fixture last year produced an exciting 3-3 draw. Over 2.5 goals is available at Evens with Ladbrokes. New Celta Vigo signing, Maxi Gomez scored 2 goals on his debut last week. He will be full of confidence and can be backed at 5/2 with Ladbrokes to score at any time.