Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Real Betis (LaLiga MD3)

Athletic Club will be looking to end Aste Nagusia 2023 (Bilbao's annual city festival) with a bang as they host Real Betis at San Mames. Los Leones want to make the most of the momentum gained from a solid win at CA Osasuna last week.

Match Info
Athletic Club vs Real Betis

San Mames, Bilbao

LaLiga EA Sports 23/24 (Matchday 3)

Sunday August 27, 21:30 CEST

How to Watch
When and where to watch Sunday's match from any place in the world

Team News
Valverde has named a 23-man squad for the clash in Bilbao.

Defender Yeray remains sidelined with an injury, joining him in the treatment room are Oscar de Marcos and Peru Nolaskoain. Midfielder Oihan Sancet is suspended after receiving a red card against CA Osasuna.

Yuri Berchiche and Dani García are back in the fold after lengthy injury lay-offs, while young centre-back Unai Egiluz, yet to make a senior appearance, returns to the squad as defensive cover.

Valverde's Comments
Catch up with what the gaffer had to say ahead of Sunday's clash.

The Opponents

Head coach: Manuel Pellegrini

The experienced Chilean tactician is now into his fourth season in charge at the Benito Villamarin. In that time he has led Betis to fifth-place once and two sixth-placed finishes. In addition to that, he led Los Verdiblancos to Copa del Rey glory in 2021/22.

Pellegrini has managed 15 clubs across three continents in a coaching career that kicked off in 1988 with Universidad de Chile, the only club he turned out for in his playing days.

Summer signings: 

Betis have been very active in the transfer market, bringing in no less than eight players: Sergi Altimira (from Getafe CF), Hector Bellerín (from Sporting CP), Ayoze Pérez (from Leicester City), Marc Barta (from Trabzonspor), Álex Collado (from Barcelona then loaned out to Al-Okhdood), Marc Roca (from Leeds United), Chadi Riad (loaned from Barcelona) and Isco (signed on a free transfer).

At the same time there have been a lot of outgoings: Sergio Canales (to Monterrey), Raúl García (to CA Osasuna), Diego Lainez (to Tigres UANL), Edgar Gónzalez (to UD Almería), Juanmi (loaned to Al-Riyadh), Lorén Morón (to Aris Salonki), Dani Martín (to FC Andorra), Martín Montoya (Aris Salonki) and Victor Ruiz (released from contract). 

Recent form: DLLWD

Despite some mixed pre-season results, Betis have started the season strong. They beat Villarreal 1-2 on the road and drew 0-0 with Atlético Madrid in Sevilla.

Previous Meetings
The two sides have met a total of 114 times in LaLiga, with their first meeting a 9-1 victory for Athletic in 1932/33 - Jose Iraragorri scored five of Athletic's goals.

The Lions have a strong track record against Betis at San Mames. From the Sevillanos' visits to Bilbao they've only picked up eight victories from 57 fixtures. 

Los Rojiblancos have four wins and just one loss from the last five matches against Betis in Bilbao.

Our most recent league win over Real Betis at The Cathedral came two years ago. It was a five-goal thriller with both teams swapping the lead before Athletic bagged the victory. Iñaki Williams scored twice and Óscar de Marcos got an 89th-minute winner.