Real Betis will continue their quest to secure Champions League qualification when they welcome basement side Real Valladolid to the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Valladolid's inevitable relegation could be confirmed, with the visitors languishing at the foot of the league standings.
Match preview
© Imago
Betis are competing on two fronts at this late stage of the season after they recently progressed to their first-ever European semi-final.
Los Verdiblancos set up a Conference League semi-final clash against Fiorentina after they backed up a 2-0 first-leg victory over Jagiellonia Bialystok with a 1-1 draw in last week's away fixture.
Manuel Pellegrini's side followed their European success with a commanding performance in Monday's La Liga away clash against struggling Girona, as Johnny Cardoso, Antony and Isco all scored first-half goals to seal a 3-1 victory, representing their third win in four away league matches (D1).
Having collected 51 points from 32 games, Los Verdiblancos are sitting in sixth spot and just one point adrift of fifth-placed Villarreal, knowing that a top-five finish would be enough to secure them Champions League football for the first time in 20 years.
Betis will now return to the familiar surroundings of the Benito Villamarin, where they have won four of their previous five home league matches, although their only defeat in that period took place in their most recent home outing against Villarreal.
They are now at risk of losing back-to-back home league matches for the first time since 2023, but they can take confidence from the fact that they have won their previous two games against Valladolid at the Benito Villamarin.
© Imago
Valladolid will travel to Andalusia in despondent mood after losing 12 of their previous 13 league games, including each of their last six matches.
They showed an element of fighting spirit in Sunday's home clash against Osasuna, although goals from Raul Moro and Mamadou Sylla could not stop the Pucela from falling to a 3-2 defeat, meaning that the league's worst defence has now conceded 76 goals in 32 games.
As a result, Valladolid's immediate return to the second tier could be confirmed this week, with the basement side sitting 16 points adrift of safety with just 18 points left to play for.
While the writing may be on the wall, Thursday's visitors will still want to end their 11-game losing league run on the road by claiming their first La Liga away victory since beating Alaves 3-2 in October.
The basement side may be able to draw some inspiration from the fact that their most recent win took place in January's reverse fixture against Betis, which saw them claim a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to Kike Perez's second-half effort.
If they are to complete a league double over Betis, the Pucela will have to end their seven-game winless run in away La Liga away games against Andalusian clubs (D4, L3).
Team News
© Imago
Betis are expected to be without Diego Llorente, Marc Roca and Chimy Avila for the rest of the season through injury.
Full-back Ricardo Rodriguez will have to be assessed after he sat out the win over Girona due to a hamstring problem.
Pellegrini could opt to make a few changes in a bid to freshen up his side, with Aitor Ruibal and Giovani Lo Celso among those who could come into the starting lineup.
Jesus Rodriguez could replace Abde Ezzalzouli on the left flank, while Cedric Bakambu is pushing to lead the line ahead of Cucho Hernandez.
Meanwhile, Valladolid boss Alvaro Rubio remains without his first-choice goalkeeper Karl Hein, who has missed the last four matches with a shoulder injury.
Midfielder Anuar is a doubt for Thursday's away trip after he missed the defeat to Osasuna due to an adductor problem.
Ivan Sanchez and Sylla are both pushing for starting berths after featuring as half-time substitutes at the weekend.
Adam Aznou is in contention to start at left-back, while there could also be a place in the side for midfielder Mario Martin.
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Ruibal, Bartra, Natan, Perraud; Cardoso, Lo Celso; Antony, Isco, Rodriguez; Bakambu
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Ferreira; Candela, Aidoo, Sanchez, Aznou; Juric; Sanchez, Martin, Chuki, Moro; Sylla
We say: Real Betis 3-1 Real Valladolid
Betis have won four of their previous five home league matches, and with their attacking players thriving with confidence, we think that Los Verdiblancos will take advantage of the division's worst defence to claim a comfortable victory in Thursday's contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
