Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the La Liga match.
At the start of this season, neither Real Betis nor Leganes have shown high scoring prowess. Bookmakers have identified the Sevillian club as the favourite for the match, although the newly promoted side has the potential to stop Real Betis, which have its share of personnel issues.
Real Betis
At the beginning of the campaign, Real Betis prioritised the European competitions, seeking to reach the group stage of the UEFA Conference League. They ultimately succeeded against Kryvbas (5:0 on aggregate). However, in three La Liga rounds, Real Betis have only secured two points, and their total 4.00 xG with just one goal scored highlights a serious issue with their finishing. Due to injuries, Real Betis will be without Francisco Suárez and Cedric Bakambu in the upcoming match, further reducing their attacking options.
Leganes
After a brief absence from the top tier of Spanish football, Leganes have energetically re-entered La Liga, establishing themselves in the mid-table. Leganes also struggled to convert more chances than they created (3 goals with 3.63 xG). Against a defensive Mallorca (1:0), the newly promoted side had just 0.37 xG from two shots on target — even the loan of forward Sébastien Haller from Borussia Dortmund is unlikely to drastically improve the situation.
Real Betis — Leganes Prediction
In Seville, Real Betis, fatigued from their gruelling start, are unlikely to secure an easy victory over Leganes. It's also improbable that the underdog will pose much of a threat in attack; they will likely focus on defence. We predict that the round will begin with a rather dull match.
