Villarreal vs Real Betis Predictions

• Villarreal have lost several key players this summer and could struggle this term
• Betis finished a place behind Villarreal last term and they’ve improved this summer
• The visitors won their first three games last term and picked up eight victories on the road

Villarreal reeling from summer sales

A clash between the two sides who finished fifth and sixth in La Liga last term looks even on paper, while it’s easy to see why the bookies would favour the home side in such a tough contest. However, a big summer of sales for Villarreal means the dynamic of the club has changed.

Nico Jackson, Pau Torres and Samuel Chukwueze have all departed and those losses look tough for Villarreal to recover from. The club was already rocked by the departure of Unai Emery midway through the season, so their prospects of a top-four challenge this term look slim.

Betis on the up

Meanwhile, former Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini looks set to take Real Betis to a new level this term with the club adding some good depth to their squad. Ayoze Perez, Hector Bellerin, Marc Barta and Isco all add extra quality to the side which finished sixth last term.

Pellegrini has turned Betis into a very consistent side and they should capitalise on Villarreal’s weakened side this term. the visitors won eight of their 19 away trips last term and they won two of their last three opening day games. Betis won their first three games last term and they can make another bright start.

There were just four points between these two sides last term and Villarreal still only took a point from their two meetings. With the balance of power between the pair swinging towards the visitors, there’s great value to be had in backing an away win.