Real Betis aiming to secure first victory over Atletico Madrid since 2011
By Matt Addison
Atletico Madrid and Real Betis have made slower starts to the season than they would have hoped, but Atleti have the upper hand in this fixture.
Real Betis were the surprise package in La Liga last season but they have a torrid record when it comes to games against Atletico Madrid.
This game pits fourth place against fifth place as it stands – both side have the same points and are separated only by goal difference having won three, drawn three and lost one so far.
Key battles
Former Everton man Joel Robles will play in goal for Betis, with the fearsome attacking duo of Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa to contend with.
Griezmann has made a slow start to the season after returning late from World Cup duty, where he won the trophy with France, but has two goals in seven appearances, while Costa is yet to get off the mark in the league.
Despite their poor start to the season, that could change at any moment and Betis will need to make sure they are not the first victims.
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Marc Bartra is Betis’ star defender and he will need to be at his best to help out Robles.
Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Canales will start in Betis’ midfield; William Carvalho could also come into the side to add a little more steel.
Atletico’s central area will feature the class of Koke and Saul Niguez, as well as the creativity and ingenuity of Thomas Lemar and Rodri.
Sergio Leon, who scored 12 league goals last season, will line up alongside Joaquin in attack for Betis, with Japanese World Cup star Takeshi Inui likely to have to settle for a place on the bench; those attackers will come up against Atletico’s Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez.
Previous meetings
In the last four meetings between the two sides, neither team has managed to score more than once. Last year, normally free-scoring Betis were unable to beat the Atletico backline twice — drawing 0-0 away and losing 1-0 at home.
Over the seasons, Atletico have come out on top in this clash almost every time. They have won ten of the last 15 meetings, including a 5-1 win in April 2016 and a 5-0 win in October 2013.
The last time Betis won against Atletico was in December 2011 – it would take a big performance to change that this time out.