Match Pack: Real Betis vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD26)

A crucial match as Athletic Club meet Real Betis, one of their main rivals in the hunt for European qualification.

A classic 'six-pointer', if Los Leones win at the Benito Villamarín they could move 13 points clear of seventh-placed Real Betis, while putting extra pressure on Atletico Madrid in the chase for a Champions League spot.

Match Info
Real Betis vs Athletic Club

Benito Villamarín, Seville

LaLiga EA Sports 23/24 (Matchday 26)

Sunday February 25, 16:15 CET

How to Watch
When and where to watch Sunday's LaLiga EA Sports clash around the world

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

Ander Herrera and Iñigo Lekue are unavailable due hamstring injuries, while Hugo Rincón has been called up from Bilbao Athletic as cover.

Valverde's Comments
The gaffer recognised Sunday's clash in Seville carries an "added dimension" with both teams in the fighting for Europe.

Catch up with what he had to say at his press conference.

The Opponents

Head coach: Manuel Pellegrini

The experienced Chilean has been in charge at the Benito Villamarín since July 2020, in that time Los Verdiblancos have won the Copa del Rey and qualified for Europe three times.

His LaLiga record with the club is 62 wins, 39 draws and 38 losses from 139 fixtures.

Top goalscorer: Willian José

Currently enjoying one of his best spells since joining Betis in 2021, the Brazilan striker has scored seven goals in 21 LaLiga appearances so far this season.

Recent form: LWDWD

It's been a solid start to the season so far for the Andalusians, who currently sit in seventh on 39 points after nine wins, 12 draws and four defeats.

Their only away loss in their last five fixture was a 2-4 home defeat against FC Barcelona.

Previous Meetings
One of LaLiga's most familiar fixtures Los Beticos and Leones have faced each other 115 times in the top flight, the first clash a 9-1 home win for Athletic back in 1932/33 season.

A traditionally tough away day for Athletic, from 57 clashes the Lions have registered 13 victories, 19 draws and 25 defeats.

Los Rojiblancos haven't recorded a LaLiga win at the Benito Villamarín since a 0-2 victory in 2017/18, with their last five results being two losses and three draws.

Athletic showed great character to come from 0-2 down and defeat Betis 4-2 at this season's reverse fixture in Bilbao.

Betis scored twice in the opening 10 minutes, but Mikel Vesga netted two penalties to put the Lions on equal footing by half-time.

Goals after the break from Gorka Guruzeta and Unai Gómez sealed the three points for Athletic.