Arguably the pick of the fixtures in the second gameweek of the 2023-24 La Liga campaign will take place in Seville on Sunday evening, with Real Betis welcoming Atletico Madrid.
Real Betis opened their season with a 2-1 success at Villarreal last weekend, while Atletico were in action on Monday evening, running out 3-1 winners over Granada at Wanda Metropolitano.
Match preview
© Reuters
A good result turned into a brilliant one when Willian Jose struck a 95th-minute winner for Real Betis in their campaign opener with Villarreal last weekend; the two teams were level at 1-1 heading into the final moments, only for Manuel Pellegrini's side to claim all three points through their Brazilian forward.
The Green and Whites face another tough examination this weekend against an Atletico side that have been victorious in the last four La Liga meetings between the two sides.
Real Betis have not actually beaten Atletico at home in La Liga since February 2019, and they will be welcoming a side that boasted the second-best away record in Spain's top flight during the 2022-23 campaign, picking up 35 points from their 19 matches on their travels.
Pellegrini's side finished sixth in La Liga last season, seven points clear of seventh-placed Osasuna, which directly qualified them for the group stage of the Europa League.
Real Betis have made eight signings during a busy transfer window, while there have also been some key departures in the shape of Sergio Canales and Edgar Gonzalez.
© Reuters
Atletico, meanwhile, beat Granada 3-1 in their campaign opener on Monday; the two teams were level just past the hour, with Samu cancelling out an opener from Alvaro Morata, but Memphis Depay made it 2-1 in the 67th minute before Marcos Llorente added a third deep into stoppage time.
The capital outfit's business this summer has been modest, with Javi Galan, Santiago Mourino, Caglar Soyuncu and Cesar Azpilicueta arriving, but the club are expected to add to their squad before the end of the window, especially if Joao Felix moves on.
Atletico were excellent in the second half of the 2022-23 La Liga season and ultimately finished third in the table, just one point behind second-placed Real Madrid.
Barcelona were 11 points clear of Diego Simeone's side at the summit, but the champions still have a number of issues that need addressing in the latter stages of the transfer window, and it is not impossible to imagine Atletico challenging for the title this season.
The Red and Whites won 10 of their 19 away league matches last season and will need similar form on their travels this term in order to push Barcelona and Real Madrid at the summit.
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Real Betis were without the services of Claudio Bravo, William Carvalho and Nabil Fekir for their opening match of the season, and all three players will again miss out through injury.
Willian Jose's goal off the bench at Villarreal might have earned him a start here, while Isco is also set to feature in the starting side against Atletico.
There is uncertainty when it comes to the involvement of Guido Rodriguez, though, as the midfielder is currently being heavily linked with a move to French giants Lyon.
Luiz Felipe is also being linked with a switch to Nottingham Forest, but he is expected to start here.
Atletico, meanwhile, will be missing Jose Gimenez, Nahuel Molina and Reinildo through injury for the contest with Real Betis.
Koke is also set to miss out with the issue that he suffered in the early stages of the clash with Granada, which should lead to Pablo Barrios featuring in midfield.
Memphis has put himself in contention to start with his goal off the bench against Granada, but Morata also registered in the same match and should have done enough to keep his spot in attack alongside Antoine Griezmann.
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Silva; Sabaly, Pezzella, Felipe, Abner; Roca, Akouokou; Perez, Isco, Henrique; Willian Jose
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Azpilicueta, Savic, Hermoso; Llorente, Barrios, De Paul, Lemar, Carrasco; Griezmann, Morata
We say: Real Betis 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Atletico have won seven of their last eight league games against Real Betis, remaining unbeaten in the process, which is a difficult record to ignore. Real Betis deserve huge respect, but Atletico's away form last season was very strong, and we are backing Simeone's side to navigate their way to all three points here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
