Espanyol – Betis SOCCER PICKS
Espanyol and Real Betis meet at RCDE Stadium, in a match for this phase of the Copa del Rey (Quarter-finals). The record of direct matches played in this stadium indicates total balance between these two teams, since there was 1 draw and 2 wins for each team in the last 5 matches. But the last time these two teams met at this stadium was on 16-12-2018, for the First Division, which ended with the victory of Real Betis by (1-3). Sergio García (24 ‘) scored the goals of the game, for Espanyol, and G. Lo Celso (43’), Cristian Tello (85 ‘) and Ó. Duarte (90 ‘Autogolo), for Real Betis. Attention to the home factor, since Espanyol usually conquer different results at home and abroad.
Espanyol:
The home team arrives at this phase of the Copa del Rey (Quarter-finals) after having played previous eliminations with: Villarreal and Cádiz. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 3 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in away matches, with 18 goals scored and 24 conceded; against 9 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses at their stadium, with 20 goals scored and 15 conceded. In the last match they played, for the Primera División, they lost with Eibar out by (3-0). In the last 10 home matches Espanyol has won 7 and lost 3 matches. The team has conceded goals in 3 of the last 4 matches, so it has not presented great defensive solidity, but its attack has scored regularly, as it has always scored at least one goal in the last 4 matches for this competition. In their home matches there is a tendency for few goals, since 8 of the last 19 matches have ended with Under 1,5 goals and 12 out of 19 have ended with Under 2,5 goals. In 15 games, he never got the comeback in the 7 games in which he suffered the first goal. In the last 19 away matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have conceded 7 of their 18 goals between minutes (31′-45 ‘).
Espanyol come to this game with a defeat, 3-0, in the displacement to Eibar, so it continues to experience difficulties in this phase of the season. We remember that the locals added only 3 wins in the last 10 matches played. In this match against Real Betis, coach Rubí will have to maintain the 4-3-3, with Borja Iglésias being the most advanced piece of the team. The player mentioned above is the great highlight of Espanyol, with 11 goals scored. David Lopez, Pedrosa, Hernan Pérez and Óscar Duarte remain outside the summoned, due to physical problems.
Real Betis:
Until reaching this phase of the Copa del Rey (Quarter-finals), the visiting team eliminated: Real Sociedad and Racing Santander. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses in away matches, with 18 goals scored and 15 conceded; against 8 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 24 goals scored and 12 conceded. In the last match they played, for the First Division, they beat Girona at home by (3-2). In the last 10 away matches Real Betis has won 4, tied 2 and lost 4. Defensive consistency has been one of their best features, as they have only conceded goals in 1 of the last 4 matches, and their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 3 of the last 4 matches for this competition. There is 1 period that stands out in the last 15 away matches for all competitions: they have suffered 5 of their 14 goals between minutes (61′-75 ‘).
Real Betis enter this match with a triumph, 3-2, at the reception to Girona: the goals of the team were scored by Cristian Tello and Loren Morón. It is important to underline that the visitors have achieved only 4 victories in the last 10 matches. Normally the coach Quique Setién acts in 3-4-3, privileging the organization of his block and the fast attacks by the flanks: Cristian Tello is the great sprinter of this formation. On the other hand, Canales is the main organizer of the game, being the owner of a high quality pass and vision of the game. There are no absences of weight for this game.
