Real Betis Seeks Redemption Against Struggling Alaves in La Liga Clash

SEVILLE, Spain — Real Betis will aim to recover from back-to-back defeats when they host Alaves in a crucial La Liga encounter on Saturday evening at Estadio Benito Villamarin. The match, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. UK time, comes after a turbulent week for Betis, who suffered a 5-1 thrashing by Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.

Real Betis, currently 10th in La Liga with 25 points from 19 matches, are looking to reignite their campaign. Despite their recent struggles, they remain just five points adrift of the European qualification spots. Manager Manuel Pellegrini will be counting on their strong home form, which includes four wins and four draws in nine league fixtures this season.

Alaves, on the other hand, are languishing in 17th place with 17 points. Their recent form has been dismal, with just one win in their last 10 league matches. The Basque side has struggled on the road, securing only one away victory in the 2024-25 campaign. Head coach Luis Garcia Plaza faces mounting pressure to turn around their fortunes.

Historically, matches between these two sides have been tightly contested. The last three La Liga encounters ended in draws, including two goalless stalemates. However, Real Betis hold the psychological edge, having gone unbeaten against Alaves in their last seven league meetings since July 2020.

Team news adds further intrigue to the fixture. Real Betis will be without several key players due to injuries, but Pellegrini is expected to reintroduce young talent who impressed against Barcelona. Alaves, meanwhile, are relatively injury-free, with only one player doubtful due to a hand injury.

With both teams desperate for points, the match promises to be a tense affair. Real Betis will rely on their home advantage and attacking firepower, while Alaves must address their defensive vulnerabilities to stand a chance.