Preview: Real Betis vs. Getafe - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Betis will be looking to continue their push for a possible European finish in La Liga this season when they welcome an out-of-form Getafe to Seville on Friday night.

Manuel Pellegrini's side, who are currently seventh in the table, recorded an impressive win over Villarreal last weekend, while Getafe will enter the match off the back of a home defeat to Real Sociedad.

Match preview

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The fact that Betis have lost 10 of their 23 league matches this season is staggering considering their position in the table, with Pellegrini's side currently seventh, just three points behind sixth-placed Villarreal.

The Seville outfit, as mentioned, will enter this contest off the back of a 2-1 win over the Yellow Submarine last weekend, with Nabil Fekir and Emerson handing the visitors their 10th league success of the campaign.

Los Verdiblancos finished down in 15th spot last term but are very much in the argument for a top-six finish at this stage, while they are also just five points behind fifth-placed Real Sociedad.

Pellegrini's team have the joint-second worst defensive record in La Liga this term with 38 goals conceded, but no side outside of the top four has won more matches in Spain's top flight.

Betis will be looking to record their 11th league win of the campaign on Friday, but they have not actually beaten Getafe since April 2018, losing four of the last five matches between the two sides.

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Getafe, as mentioned, will enter this game off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Sociedad on Sunday, which made it three straight league losses for the capital club.

Jose Bordalas's side have now been beaten in four of their last five in the league, failing to win in the process, which has seen them drop down the table into 14th, just three points outside of the relegation zone.

Getafe have finished eighth, fifth and eighth in their last three La Liga campaigns but will be looking down the division rather than up at this stage as they continue to slide dangerously close to the bottom three.

The visitors have a strong recent record over Betis, but they have struggled on their travels this season, picking up just nine points from 11 matches, which is the third-worst record in Spain's top flight.

Real Betis La Liga form: WWDWLW
Real Betis form (all competitions): DWWLLW

Getafe La Liga form: WLDLLL

Team News

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Betis will again be without the services of Victor Camarasa, Borja Iglesias, Dani Martin and Marc Bartra through injury, while there is a doubt over Victor Ruiz, who had to be replaced late on against Villarreal.

Sidnei will replace Ruiz at the heart of the defence if the Spaniard cannot prove his fitness in time for the match, but Pellegrini is otherwise expected to stick with the side that started against the Yellow Submarine.

Loren Moron should therefore again lead the line with support from Aitor Ruibal, Fekir and Sergio Canales, meaning that Joaquin and Cristian Tello might have to accept spots on the bench once again.

As for Getafe, key centre-back Djene Dakonam is available following a suspension, while the visitors do not have any confirmed absentees through injury for Friday's contest.

There is a strong chance that Bordalas will decide to shuffle his pack following the defeat to Sociedad, with Carles Alena and Takefusa Kubo both in line for starting roles.

Jaime Mata could again get the nod over Enes Unal and Angel to start in the final third of the field, while Cucho Hernandez is likely to be the player to drop out if Alena returns to the XI.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Joel; Emerson, Mandi, Sidnei, Miranda; Guardado, Rodriguez; Ruibal, Fekir, Canales; Moron

Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Suarez, Dakonam, Cabaco, Olivera; Cucurella, Arambarri, Maksimovic, Kubo; Alena; Mata

We say: Real Betis 2-1 Getafe

Betis were excellent against Villarreal last weekend, and they have actually won three of their last five league matches on home soil. Getafe are capable of making it a tricky contest for Pellegrini's side, but we fancy the hosts to pick up another important three points in their pursuit of European football.