La Liga: Are Real Betis and Sociedad for Real?

Real Betis vs Real Sociedad

As hard it is to believe for many, both Real Betis and Real Sociedad own two of the top three spots in the La Liga table as of the moment.

It’s not to say that they don’t deserve it as they are a couple of decent sides in Spanish top-flight. In fact, they should be commended for a splendid job to kick off the 2020/21 season.

Defending champions Real Madrid sit on top of the table with 10 points while Real Betis and Real Sociedad are at second and third respectively with nine and eight points.

After winning their first two games of the season, Real Betis suffered back-to-back losses against Real Madrid and Getafe, but they bounced back with a victory over Valencia right before the international break.

Real Sociedad, on the other hand, had two draws versus Valladolid and Real Madrid before getting two wins out of three before club football took a backseat.

Given their strong starts this campaign, the question will be on whether they are contenders or pretenders for this season’s championship.

But first things first, let us take a look at both of these teams with this match preview.

 

Talking Points

Manuel Pellegrini is on to something for Real Betis

Since taking over the coaching helm for Los Verdiblancos, Manuel Pellegrini is slowly working his way towards a redemption arc of sorts.

The Chilean native was fired last season by West Ham United in the Premier League after yet another lacklustre campaign, so it was surprising that Real Betis took a chance on him.

Coming into the season, Real Betis are in desperate need for a resurgence after finishing 15^th in the La Liga table.

But fast forward to today, Los Verdiblancos started the season with a bang as Pellegrini’s coaching inspired his stars to be at their best. Now, they are on their way to finishing way better than they did the last term.

Sergio Canales, Borja Iglesias, and Nabil Fekir have always been a talented trio, but they have never played this good in a while.

The three of them have been the fulcrum of Real Betis’ attack, which has generated seven goals so far this season.

But while their attack has been lethal, Real Betis would need to work on their backline as they’ve conceded six goals so far – all of which came from their losses against Real Madrid and Getafe.

 

Real Sociedad proving doubters wrong

Like Real Betis, Real Sociedad weren’t exactly supposed to be in this position especially after what happened towards the end of last season.

La Real ended their campaign in disappointing fashion by winning only two of their 11 games since the restart, which put them effectively at sixth place.

Oddsmakers didn’t have a rosy outlook for Imanol Alguacil’s men to kick off the 2020/21 season, and they did have a lacklustre start when they drew level against a lowly Valladolid squad.

However, they followed that one up with a positive result by holding Real Madrid to a goalless draw, and now they are in the top three with wins over Elche and Getafe.

Holding down the fort for Real Sociedad is the combination of Roberto Lopez Alcaide, Portu, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Mikel Merino.

All of them have the pace, creativity, and IQ to spearhead Real Sociedad’s attack which should give opposing defences major headaches.

 

History

The head-to-head matchup between Los Verdiblancos and La Real are as close as it gets.

In their 34 direct matches, Real Sociedad own the slight edge with 13 wins, while Real Betis have won 11 times along with 10 draws.

Real Betis have only won two of their last nine encounters against Real Sociedad, which includes their January meeting where they defeated them 3-0 at the Benito Villamarin Stadium.

They’ve also won their last two home matches against Real Sociedad via clean sheets. They are chasing for their third straight win at home against them.

 

Betting Tip

	Real Betis vs Real Sociedad	1X2 Draw @ 3.20
	October 19, 03:00 (GMT+8)

The La Liga 2020 odds expect this to be a close affair between two of the in-form teams in Spanish top-flight.

But while Real Betis are priced at 2.49 odds to win and Real Sociedad are at 2.80 odds to win in the Asian Handicap market readings, I am leaning heavily towards a draw at 3.20.

If checking for the goal count is what you’re looking for, I would recommend going for either Total Goal 2-3 @ 1.77 or Over 2.50 @ 2.18 since both of these sides have capable goalscorers.

Manuel Pellegrini and Imanol Alguacil are in for quite a chess match this weekend, and football fans are going to be in for a huge treat.

For more of the latest La Liga 2020 updates, continue to tune in here at SBOTOP.

A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (Highly confident)	= €10 (CONFIDENT)	= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

 

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