18 December 2021, 16:43 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The La Liga fixture, Athletic Club vs. Real Betis kicks off at 16:15 (GMT+1) on Sunday, December 19, at the San Mamés Barria.
Preview Athletic Club La Liga, Dec 19, 2021
Preview Athletic Club picked up a 1-0 defeat to Sevilla last weekend at the San Mamés Barria and remain without a win in five LaLiga games: DDLDL. A single strike from Thomas Delaney (38’) ensured Athletic Club of their second defeat in five games. The narrow defeat also saw the club tumble off the LaLiga table by two spots, as they dropped from 9th to 11th place, having failed to pick up a point at the weekend. Athletic Club have a total of 21 points after 4W, 9D, and 4L, and a win here would see Marcelino’s side reclaim lost ground, should other favorable outcomes emerge at the end of the weekend. On the numbers, Athletic Club has a goal ratio of 0.76 goals per game this season, having scored 13 goals in 17 La Liga games. The club have also conceded 12 goals and have a goal difference of +1. - An average of 0.71 goals conceded per game. A 4—4—2 formation with Raúl García and Iñaki Williams in attack is expected from Marcelino García Toral, for this game against Real Betis on Sunday.
Preview Real Betis La Liga, Dec 19, 2021
Preview Meanwhile, Real Betis picked up an impressive 4-0 win over Real Sociedad last weekend at the Benito Villamarín stadium. A brace from Alex Moreno (14’ & 79’), coupled with goals from Juanmi (57’) and Nabil Fekir (66'), saw Betis pick up four victories in a row, LWWWW. The victory also saw Betis remain in 3rd place on the La Liga table, while having 33 points after 10W, 3D, and 4L. Manuel Pellegrini will be on the hunt for a win when Betis returns for this appearance against Athletic Club in a bid to topple second-placed Sevilla. Betis is a point behind the Rojiblancos, who play Atletico Madrid over the weekend in another highly anticipated fixture. On Sunday, an attacking 4—2—3—1 formation, with Willian José at the top of the shape is expected. Juanmi, who has been in remarkable goal-scoring form, could be playing on the left once again. The 28-year-old is the club’s top scorer with 10 goals. Juanmi has also bagged two assists in his 15 appearances for the club in LaLiga this season, leaving his contribution to the club's goal-scoring efforts at 40%. Claudio Bravo is a doubt alongside Youssouf Sabaly (muscle injury) and Víctor Camarasa (muscle injury). Meanwhile, Paul Akouokou has been ruled out of this Sunday's fixture.