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Espanyol will be happy to have avoided an epidemic that threatened almost half of the squad ahead of this match, but the hosts will still face a difficult Primera Division match against a resilient Betis Sevilla team.
Espanyol surprisingly managed to recover after a horrible run under coach Galca. 2 draws and 8 losses in 10 matches were not enough for the board to sack the manager and they are reaping the rewards right now, as Espanyol won the last 2 games against Deportivo La Coruna and Sporting Gijon. However, the team is still not playing great football and they are just 4 points above the relegation line, so pressure is still present.
Rael Betis has been a very hard team to defeat lately, as they lost just once in the last 7 matches and that was a close call against Real Sociedad. The visitors are on the back of 3 consecutive draws, the last one being 2-2 at home against Rayo Vallecano. Currently on the 13th place, Betis is tied in points with Espanyol in La Liga, so this match could hardly be more important for both of these sides.
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Team news & lineups:
Aside from the injured quartet of Arbilla, Canas, Arlauskis and Sylla, Espanyol was in danger of missing 8 more players due to a stomach virus that did not allow them to train. In the end, tt seems that they will all be fit enough to feature. Betis will miss Petros, Montoya and Picinni, while Westermann and Kadir are questionable.
Espanyol: Pau – Duarte, Lopez, Gonzalez, Alvarez – Diop, Sanchez – Asensio, Abraham, Burgui – Caicedo
Real Betis: Adan – Molinero, Pezzella, Gonzalez, Vargas – Joaquin, Ceballos, N’Diaye, Musonda – Molina, Castro
While it seems that Espanyol’s lineup won`t be too affected by that stomach virus, the epidemic could still have a massive effect on this game and on their performance. At least 8 players did not train properly coming into this match, so that will obviously be a problem – one that we can use to an advantage.
I believe Betis has the arguments to claim a result here. This is a very resilient side, difficult to defeat even by the strongest teams (for example, Real Madrid). Espanyol is definitely not one of the strongest sides in the league. Actually, they are one of the worst, despite riding a 2 match winning streak. With the fitness problems the hosts had / have and considering that this is also a huge game in which risks won`t be taken, I reckon at least a draw is well within the reach of Real Betis.
My tip is Betis +0,5 handicap. Prediction: Espanyol Barcelona – Betis Sevilla 1-1.
Pick: Real Sevilla +0,5
Odds: 1.86 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.88
Event date: 3 March
