Real Betis vs Valencia Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Any suggestions that Valencia had turned a corner seem a little premature after their humiliating 4-0 home defeat against minnows Eibar last weekend. Defensively they still have big issues to address and the value here looks to be with Betis who have done well at home of late.

Valencia are boosted by the return of a host of players who were suspended last week but their best centre-back Ezequiel Garay starts a ban and even when he has played they’ve looked uncertain at the back. Los Che have managed to keep a clean sheet in just 5% of their matches in La Liga this term and have conceded exactly 2 goals per game on average. That is the worst defensive record outside of the bottom three and they are lucky the sides in the drop-zone are all so poor, otherwise they’d be in a much more perilous position right now.

They average only 0.95 points per game, which is relegation form in most seasons but perhaps not this one. They’ve lost 55% of their away matches and have a really poor record at the Estadio Benito Villamarín in recent years so this is certainly a game that Betis will be looking to win.

The Seville club have been very solid at home since Victor Sanchez took charge. They are unbeaten in their last 7 home games and if you discount games against Barcelona and Real Madrid, they’ve only lost one home game in any competition since last March. That strongly suggests they will at the very least avoid defeat here, which makes them look a safe bet in the ‘Draw No Bet’ market.

That might be a wise move given they do draw a lot of games and 45% of their home matches this term have ended up all square. They’ve won 4 of their last 7 at home though and if Valencia defend like they have been doing, there should be opportunities for them to bag maximum points. The aerial prowess of Alex Alegria, who netted in Betis’ last home game against Barcelona, should pose problems for this visiting defence and backing Alegria to score anytime at 12/5 could be worth a flutter here.

Overall Betis certainly look the side more capable of winning this and you can back Real Betis Draw No Bet at 8/11.