Match Pack: Real Betis vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD15)
Match Pack: Real Betis vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD15)
Everything you need to know as Los Leones take on Real Betis in LaLiga Santander
After christening their return to official competition with a Copa victory over Sestao River last Tuesday, Athletic Club head to Seville for what is their first LaLiga fixture following the World Cup and also their final match of 2022.
The Benito Villamarín will host a clash between two teams fighting to qualify for European competitions. Level on 24 points each in the table, this is a key duel for both sides' ambitions.
Back in Bilbao, Athletic fans will gather at San Mamés to usher in the start of our 125-year anniversary with a huge celebration including musicial performances, gifts, surprises and a screening of the match on giant monitors.
Match Info
Real Betis vs Athletic Club (Matchday 15)
Benito Villamarín (Seville)
LaLiga Santander 22/23
Thursday December 29, 19:15 CET
How to Watch
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Team News
Valverde has named a 23-man squad for the trip to Seville. Jon Morcillo and Ander Herrera have been left out of the squad and will not travel with the squad to Seville.
Valverde's comments
🎙️ Ernesto Valverde ahead of #RealBetisAthletic
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) December 28, 2022
"There are a lot of reasons to be motivated. We want to win the last game of 2022, beat a direct rival and dedicate a victory to Txetxu Rojo, an Athletic legend who passed away recently."#AthleticClub 🦁
Catch up with everything the Gaffer had to say at his pre-match press conference
The Opponents
Head coach: Manuel Pelligrini
The 69-year-old Chilean coach, known as 'the Engineer', took charge of Betis in July 2020. In his two seasons at the helm, Los Beticos have won the Copa del Rey and achieved sixth and fifth-placed finishes in LaLiga Santander.
A one-club man, Pellgrini spent his all his playing days at Universidad de Chile (1973-1986) before taking his first steps into management with the same club.
The former defender has gone on to have a long and successful career in the dugout, leading a variety of clubs in different countries, such as: O'Higgins, San Lorenzo, River Plate, Villarreal, Real Madrid, Málaga, Manchester City and West Ham.
Top scorer: Borja Iglesias
The Galicia-born striker is currently enjoying one of his most productive seasons in the top flight, with eight goals from his first 13 appearances in 2022/23.
This is the forward's fourth year in Seville. Prior to joining Betis, he had played for Villarreal C, Celta Vigo, Real Zaragoza (on loan) and RCD Espanyol.
Recent form (LaLiga): DLWDL
After a smashing start to LaLiga Santander 2022/23 in which they won five and lost just once in their first six fixtures, Betis had a series of mixed results before the World Cup, leaving for the break on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Valencia CF.
They played five friendlies over the winter, losing against River Plate (4-0), Colo Colo (5-0 & 1-0) and Atalanta (0-3), drawing against Inter (1-1) and beating Manchester United (1-0).
Previous Meetings
The first-ever LaLiga meeting between the two sides was a 9-1 win for Athletic at San Mamés in the 1932/33 season. Los Leones followed this up with a 1-5 victory in Seville two months later.
In total, Los Rojiblancos and Los Verdiblancos have clashed 112 times in the Primera División, with Athletic winning 46, drawing 34 and losing 32.
The stastics away from home make for quite different reading. The Zurigorri have won 13 matches in Seville, but tied 18 and lost 25.
In the last five clashes at the Benito Villamarín, Athletic have picked up one victory, two draws and two defeats.
Los Leones last victory at the Benito Villamarín came in the 2017/18 campaign. Raúl García tucked away a penalty in the first half and a Zouhair Feddal own goal in the 86th minute ensured Athletic went back to Bilbao with all three points.