Atletico Madrid vs Real Betis Preview: Prediction, Probable Lineups, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Atletico Madrid will look to extend their grip on the third spot as they host top four chasing Real Betis in La Liga.

Title contention is surely out of the question for Diego Simeone as he looks to take control of their fate in the La Liga standings. The Roji Blancos currently occupy the third spot on the table, and their manager hopes to tighten the grip on the position.

Atletico can consider the rocky part of their season to be over, as they are in excellent form. The Argentine will be vying for a fourth victory on the trot as they host Real Betis at home in La Liga. They have been unbeaten since January and in the 10 fixtures since.

Not only are Atletico churning out wins, but they have been scoring at a healthy rate. They have managed 10 goals in their last three La Liga games, including the 3-0 win over Valencia before the break. For Simeone, the idea would resonate around cementing their place for the third spot and not letting any more slip-ups affect their season.

Manuel Pellegrini has a similar task to Simeone, as his Real Betis side will focus on league matters from here on. After their elimination from the Europa League at the hands of Manchester United, the Seville club will put in everything to finish in the top four.

They got a grip on their fifth-placed standing before the break with a narrow win over Mallorca, courtesy of a Borja Iglesias strike. Having played 26 games, Betis moved to fifth, with Real Sociedad standing between them and a top-four place.

Pellegrini will demand consistency in the last phase of the season and will hope Sociedad drop points along the way. The trip to Madrid will be tough, but the manager will hope for a positive outcome that could allow them to remain in touch with their top four rivals.

Team News & Tactics

Atletico Madrid

Simeone will ponder a few changes to his lineup as injuries pile up. The international break saw Memphis Depay return with a thigh issue, which will keep him out of action at the weekend. Alvaro Morata will take his place in the lineup and lead the line.

Sergio Reguilon and Reinildo will also miss the clash with respective problems. Beyond that, Simeone could retain a similar lineup that beat Valencia before the break.

The lineup will see a similar midfield setup with Marcos Llorente and Rodrigo De Paul on either side of holding midfielder Koke. Antoine Griezmann will form part of the attack alongside Morata in a two-prone forward line.

At the back, Simeone will prefer a back five, with Nahuel Molina and Yannick Carrasco acting as full-backs. Sandwiched between them, Jose Maria Gimenez will marshall the central defence with Stefan Savic and Mario Hermoson on either side.

Probable Lineup (5-3-2) – Oblak; Molina, Savic, Gimenez, Hermoso, Carrasco; Llorente, Koke, De Paul; Morata, Griezmann

Real Betis

Pellegrini will be without Andres Guardado and Sergio Canales due to suspensions. They also have Abner Vinicius, Luiz Filipe, Nabil Fekir and Juan Cruz out through injuries. The manager will have Luiz Henrique available again after serving a ban.

He could become an option in the final third for Betis. Meanwhile, Ayoze Perez and Rodri could also feature in the attacking unit. As for replacements, Juanmi could come in for Canales, while William Carvalho could also make a return.

Victor Ruiz and German Pezzella will keep their central defensive partnership, with Youssouf Sabaly and Juan Miranda acting full-backs. Guido Rodriguez could partner Carvalho in central midfield for this clash.

Joaquin will line up from the right side of the attack, with support from Rodri and Juanmi in the other attacking spots. Iglesias will lead the line for Betis, as this four-man unit will look to get past Atletico’s back-five.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Silva; Sabaly, Ruiz, Pezzella, Miranda; Carvalho, Rodriguez; Joaquin, Rodri, Juanmi; Iglesias

Key Stats

• Atletico Madrid have kept a clean sheet in their last 6 home matches against Real Betis in all competitions.
• Atletico Madrid have won 10 of their last 11 home matches against Real Betis in all competitions.
• Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in their last 10 La Liga games.
• Real Betis have lost each of their last three games against Atletico Madrid.
• Real Betis have been winless against Atletico Madrid in Madrid since December 2011.

Player to Watch

Antoine Griezmann

The French star has been in good form since the turn of the year. He has five goal involvements in his last five La Liga games. His form has coincided with Atletico garnering good results in the league, and Simeone will hope that continues after the break.

Griezmann must retain his form against teams like Betis and keep the continuity of getting results. The Frenchman will remain one of the key players on the field and have to force the issue with a top-class performance.

Prediction

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Betis

Betis have the firepower to trouble Atletico away from home, but much will depend on their consistency throughout the game. The Roji Blancos, on the other hand, have momentum and form on their side, and Simeone will look to exploit the problems with their opponents thoroughly.

Atletico have home comforts and should see off this game to collect three points. Betis could score at some point, but Atletico’s overall quality will ensure the result goes their way at the end of the game.