Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Spanish La Liga match.
Despite noticeable shortcomings in finishing, Real Betis have been performing well in the current La Liga season. Before their away match against Valladolid, Pellegrini's team is on an impressive seven-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, and a meeting with the league's bottom team should help them close the gap to the top four.
Real Valladolid
Valladolid's disappointing end to 2024, highlighted by a 0:3 defeat to Girona, has carried over into January. The team unexpectedly exited the Copa del Rey after losing 2:3 to Orense — an underdog from Spain's third division, who even managed to produce more shots (10-7). It's worth noting that Kokki's players have conceded 37 goals this season — the worst record in La Liga.
Real Betis
A strong second half of the group stage in the Europa League has allowed Real Betis to move into the playoff zone, and in a recent cup match, Isco and company comfortably defeated Huesca (1:0). Real Betis rank in the top five of La Liga by xG (31.21), and on the road, Gasperini's team has had four consecutive wins since December 4. It's clear that the motivated Seville side is aiming for three points on Saturday — they are eager to close in on their competitors.
Real Valladolid vs Real Betis Prediction
In their last five encounters with Real Valladolid, Real Betis have achieved three victories, including a win in their most recent face-off two years ago (2:1). The difference in class is glaringly evident — the purple team is unlikely to withstand the pressure from the Real Betis' attack.
