Elche v Real Betis – Betting Preview
Elche Summary
After their first win a couple of weeks ago against Villarreal, it has gone wrong again with clubs above them winning and themselves falling to an added time goal against Espanyol last weekend.
The contest against Espanyol truly was a must win as they are also deeply involved in the relegation battle. To lose it in the desperate fashion that they did, really felt like the nail in the coffin for Elche.
They start the weekend 13 points from safety and 10 points off 19th placed Getafe.
Elche are now playing for pride and some players will be playing for their places next season. At the same time, they must go for the win in order to keep fans interested and believing in a miracle.
Team news wise and they remain without star man Pere Milla. Pablo Machin remains without the playmaker plus fringe men including John Chetauya, Jony Alamo, and Alex Collado.
Diego Gonzalez is back from a ban but this week they have Carmona serving a suspension.
Real Betis Summary
Real Betis have bounced back from two February defeats (Celta Vigo and Barcelona) with back-to-back wins, including the much-needed one at home to a stubborn Valladolid last time out.
The club has put itself right back in the thick of it for the chase for UEFA Champions League football next season. They are four points behind Atletico Madrid who faces Real Madrid away this weekend, so a great chance to cut that gap down provide they overcome basement club Elche on Friday evening.
Before the round begins, Real Betis occupy 5th place in La Liga 2022/23 but with several clubs not far off them and ready to pounce if they drop further points. They may be away but it is an opponent where only a win is expected, a loss would be a disaster.
Real Betis’ mood and confidence are positive, but team news provides some negatives.
Canales suffered a slight knock from the Valladolid game. The player and matchwinner from last time out is in sparkling form, so it would be a sizeable blow if he is out.
On Canales’ status, the club has already run tests and it’s nothing serious, he has not been ruled out in Elche but if he misses out on any action, the maximum will be the Friday night game only.
One definite absence is Guido Rodriguez (banned) who is seen as their strongest holding midfielder. William Carvalho will play the role in this contest.
On a positive note. Pellegrini can recall key striker Borja Iglesias who although has a wrist injury, is fine to return for this match.
Fringe men Juan Cruz and Paul Akouokou remain out.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. Betis is being offered slightly odds against which looks a very generous price. Betis to win is @ 2.05. Elche need a miracle to stay up this season and have to go for the win, but they are already lacking belief and it would be a shock if they won this. Elche is @ 3.90 to win while the draw, which pleases neither, is @ 3.45.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. As above, I think Betis are undervalued in both this and the 1×2 market, but that offers better value with Betis -0.5 @ 2.01 on this Asian markets right now.
Looking at The Under/Over goal market last of all. A draw suits neither team at all and Elche have become a risk taking side through necessity to win. Over 2.25 @ 1.85 is a strong preference. Under 2.25 is @ 1.97.
